became enraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became enraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a transition to a state of anger or fury, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "When he heard the unfair accusations, he became enraged and confronted his accuser."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

After an argument with Njeri, he became enraged, and fetched an AK-47.

The New Yorker

The plate umpire, Dan Iassogna, immediately ejected Gagne, who became enraged and charged him.

The New York Times - Sports

But within minutes, he said, one of the officers subduing the man became enraged and charged toward him.

The New York Times

After he left, however, groups within the crowd became enraged, set fire to nearby buildings, and derailed a locomotive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But within minutes, he said, one of the two officers became enraged — and the judge became his target.

The New York Times

When Martin responded by mocking Mourning's illness, Mourning became enraged, threatening him and shouting, "I'll put you on your back".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

I become enraged, in other words.

The New Yorker

When she discovers his intentions, his wife becomes enraged and leaves him.

The New York Times - Books

His father told NBC he once become enraged by two men kissing in public.

The Guardian - Opinion

The police said Mr. Parsell had become enraged after being spurned by Miss Grech.

The New York Times

He tended to become enraged when he did not like the coverage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became enraged" to clearly and directly describe a transition to a state of intense anger. This phrase is effective in narrative contexts where you want to emphasize the sudden onset of fury.

Common error

Avoid pairing "became enraged" with weak verbs like "started" or "began". The phrase already implies a transition, so additional introductory verbs can sound redundant. For example, instead of "He started to became enraged," use "He became enraged."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became enraged" functions as a dynamic descriptor, illustrating a transition into a state of intense anger. It often serves as a pivotal point in a narrative, as demonstrated in the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became enraged" is a versatile and effective way to describe a transition to a state of intense anger. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "grew furious" or "flew into a rage" offer similar meanings, "became enraged" provides a direct and clear description suitable for both formal and informal writing. It's important to avoid redundancy and to leverage the phrase to highlight the sudden and often uncontrolled nature of intense anger.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grew furious

Focuses on the increasing intensity of anger.

turned livid

Emphasizes a visible, almost physical reaction to anger, suggesting paleness or redness in the face.

flew into a rage

Highlights the sudden and uncontrolled nature of the anger.

lost their temper

Indicates a loss of self-control due to anger.

exploded in anger

Suggests a sudden and violent outburst of anger.

saw red

An idiomatic expression indicating a sudden overwhelming anger that impairs judgment.

bristled with anger

Implies a defensive or reactive anger, like an animal raising its hackles.

were incensed

Suggests a feeling of righteous anger or indignation.

were infuriated

Emphasizes the act of being made extremely angry by someone or something.

worked themselves into a frenzy

Conveys a state of agitated and uncontrolled anger, often escalating over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "became enraged" to describe someone's sudden transition to a state of intense anger, as in "After hearing the accusations, he "became enraged" and stormed out of the room."

What are some alternatives to "became enraged"?

Alternatives include "grew furious", "turned livid", or "flew into a rage", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "became enraged" formal or informal?

"Became enraged" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a direct and clear way to express intense anger without being overly colloquial or stilted.

What's the difference between "became enraged" and "was angry"?

"Became enraged" describes the process of transitioning to a state of anger, while "was angry" simply states a current state of anger. The former is dynamic, the latter is static.