became elusive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became elusive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that has become difficult to find, understand, or grasp over time. Example: "As the investigation progressed, the suspect became elusive, slipping through the authorities' grasp."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But after he was discharged, in December, he became elusive.

The New Yorker

Victory in Iraq became elusive because the US military leadership failed to define the mission as a counterinsurgency.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her transition from Division I tennis to the pro tour has not been an easy one: for the first time in her playing career, wins became elusive and the losses piled up — and they had to be suffered alone, not with a team.

The New Yorker

When words began to clot and clog and answers became elusive.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Deep breaths become elusive.

The Guardian

Data is also becoming ubiquitous just as privacy becomes elusive.

The New Yorker

And the promise of American citizenship or residency becomes elusive.

The Washington Post

For some, though, any semblance of security has become elusive.

The New York Times

Carmakers and other manufacturers will no longer extend credit (see article) and loans will become elusive and expensive.

The Economist

Marketing executives who respond positively to my initial inquiry become elusive when the c-word is mentioned.

The Guardian

In a world which growth has become elusive even for Asian "tigers," entrepreneurship has become a widely touted path to economic salvation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "became elusive", ensure the subject and context clearly indicate what is becoming difficult to find or understand. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "became elusive" in situations where simpler alternatives like "disappeared" or "was lost" are more appropriate. Reserve it for contexts where the elusiveness itself is a key aspect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became elusive" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject that has transitioned into being difficult to find, catch, or understand. Ludwig's examples illustrate its application in contexts ranging from physical disappearance to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became elusive" accurately describes a transition into a state of being difficult to find, understand, or achieve. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it effectively conveys a sense of something slipping away or becoming hard to grasp. While various alternatives exist, such as ""turned unattainable"" or ""grew difficult to grasp"", the choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. Using "became elusive" appropriately can add nuance to your writing, but avoid overuse in simple scenarios where more straightforward language suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turned unattainable

Focuses on the impossibility of achieving or obtaining something.

grew difficult to grasp

Emphasizes the increasing difficulty in understanding something.

proved hard to track down

Highlights the challenge in locating or finding someone or something.

morphed into obscurity

Suggests a gradual fading into a state of being unknown or forgotten.

evaporated from sight

Implies a sudden and complete disappearance.

transformed into vapor

Suggests an entity became intangible and ungraspable.

vanished into thin air

Indicates a mysterious and sudden disappearance.

slipped through the cracks

Suggests something was overlooked or neglected, leading to its loss.

dissolved into nothing

Implies a complete and irreversible disappearance.

faded from memory

Focuses on the gradual loss of remembrance or recall.

FAQs

How can I use "became elusive" in a sentence?

You can use "became elusive" to describe something that is increasingly difficult to find, understand, or achieve. For example, "As the investigation progressed, the truth "became elusive"."

What's a good alternative to "became elusive"?

Alternatives include "turned unattainable", "grew difficult to grasp", or "proved hard to track down" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "became elusive" or "was lost"?

"Became elusive" implies a process of becoming difficult to find or understand, while "was lost" suggests a more straightforward disappearance. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the process of becoming hard to find or a simple state of being lost.

What makes something "elusive"?

Something is "elusive" when it is difficult to catch, find, understand, or achieve. It often suggests a quality of being just out of reach or hard to define.