became embarrassed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became embarrassed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone experiences embarrassment as a result of an event or action. Example: "When she realized everyone was staring at her, she became embarrassed and quickly looked away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Halfway across the stage, she realized what she had done, became embarrassed and walked back in embarrassment to pick them up.

The New York Times

When challenged about how she had got on at Leeds without a ticket, Dixon says she became embarrassed and replied that she had walked through.

The Guardian - Money

But as the contractions passed and the pain subsided, she became embarrassed and apologetic over having let fly in front of the nurses, midwives and doctors, only to redouble her efforts when the next wave of contractions struck.

Independent

Of course, when they grew older they became embarrassed about the way they had felt when they were young, feelings that had been spelled out, recorded, and promoted for all the world to hear.

The Guardian - Music

The company became embarrassed for want of means during the war, and ceased, before July, 1861, to do any work on the line, leaving it incomplete as to grading and culverting, and no work was done by it afterwards on the line.

Cornell University

Soon after I showed up at the farm, walking in the fields one afternoon while the village women picked cotton, a girl caught my eye, so that in days following whenever I passed her I became embarrassed, striking up some absurd conversation with Sameer, averting my gaze — I had not spoken to a girl since I shipped out from New York, several months earlier.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The man becomes embarrassed, and leaves.

The New Yorker

Is it because they have become embarrassed about being British?

The Economist

But in a non-medical way, I definitely become embarrassed.

The Guardian - Tech

Will you think about showering more often and taking better care of your teeth?" He may become embarrassed or defensive.

The New York Times

He does not become embarrassed when he cries publicly or flubs a line or is a co-host with chimps.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became embarrassed" to describe a transition or a process, rather than a static state. It emphasizes the moment when someone starts to feel embarrassed.

Common error

Avoid using "became embarrassed" when describing a continuous state of embarrassment. "Was embarrassed" is more appropriate if the feeling persists over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became embarrassed" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state. It typically follows a subject and describes the process of someone transitioning into a state of embarrassment. Ludwig confirms this grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

17%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became embarrassed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the transition into a state of embarrassment. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in "News & Media" and "Wiki" sources, and its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "felt ashamed" or "grew self-conscious" exist, "became embarrassed" emphasizes the shift into that emotional state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt ashamed

Focuses on the feeling of shame rather than the process of becoming embarrassed.

grew self-conscious

Emphasizes the increased awareness of oneself and one's actions, leading to embarrassment.

started blushing

Highlights the physical manifestation of embarrassment.

turned red with embarrassment

Similar to "started blushing" but more descriptive.

felt mortified

Conveys a stronger sense of embarrassment and humiliation.

was humiliated

Implies a more severe form of embarrassment, often involving public shame.

was abashed

A more formal and literary way of saying became embarrassed, suggesting a sense of shame or guilt.

became uncomfortable

Describes a broader feeling of unease, which can encompass embarrassment.

felt awkward

Similar to "became uncomfortable", but with a focus on social situations.

lost face

Focuses on the social aspect of embarrassment, implying a loss of reputation or dignity.

FAQs

What does "became embarrassed" mean?

The phrase "became embarrassed" describes the process or moment when someone starts to feel embarrassment. It indicates a transition into a state of unease or self-consciousness due to a specific event or realization.

What can I say instead of "became embarrassed"?

You can use alternatives like "felt ashamed", "grew self-conscious", or "started blushing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "become embarrassed"?

The phrase "become embarrassed" is grammatically sound. However, "became embarrassed" (past tense) is typically more appropriate when describing a completed event or a specific instance of feeling embarrassed. Example: "She became embarrassed when she realized her mistake."

What's the difference between "became embarrassed" and "felt embarrassed"?

"Became embarrassed" emphasizes the transition into the state of embarrassment, while "felt embarrassed" simply describes the experience of feeling that emotion. "Became" focuses on the change; "felt" focuses on the emotion itself.