became forgotten

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'became forgotten' is a correct and usable form of English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been cast aside and is no longer remembered. For example, "The celebrity's name quickly became forgotten after they left the spotlight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In the early fifties he allied himself with McCarthy and soon became forgotten by the majority of the American public.

The New Yorker

These were the roots of modern capitalism, but somehow along the way the protection of the weak became forgotten.

The Guardian

On television, the Mumbai Test was billed and referred to exclusively as "Sachin's two-hundredth"; the West Indies very quickly became forgotten accessories, attendants holding up Tendulkar's train.

The New Yorker

Building work succeeded farm labour, and, for all but the Copper family, the old songs became forgotten relics of a bygone era.

The Guardian - Books

In the apocalyptic chaos of Hitler's downfall, the final days in the bunker and the dramatic suicides of Adolf and Eva, Braun's home movies, never widely known, became forgotten.

The Guardian

"So after the war ended and the loss of life, it became forgotten about.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

How is it possible for an entire country to become forgotten?

The Guardian

These men have become forgotten prisoners," Kate Allen, the director of the human rights group, said.

The Guardian

Our desire is to make sure it does not become forgotten".

The Guardian - Sport

"They tend to lie in bed a lot of the time; the worry is that they become forgotten.

The Guardian

"When people change job they often leave behind a pension pot which becomes forgotten and which can even attract higher charges once they leave the firm.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became forgotten" to emphasize a transition into a state of being unremembered, especially when highlighting a process or change over time. For instance, "The details of the treaty became forgotten after years of peace" conveys a gradual fading from public consciousness.

Common error

Avoid using "became forgotten" when an active agent deliberately caused the forgetting. Instead, consider using "was deliberately forgotten" or "was intentionally overlooked" to reflect the active role in the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became forgotten" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating a state change where something transitions into being no longer remembered. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, illustrating its use in describing the fate of ideas, people, or places.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "became forgotten" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase signifying a gradual transition into a state of being unremembered. As Ludwig AI highlights, its communicative purpose is to illustrate a decline in awareness or importance over time. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, its register remains relatively neutral. To enhance clarity and avoid common pitfalls, focus on using "became forgotten" to describe gradual processes and ensure the subject is indeed the one being acted upon. When a deliberate act of forgetting exists, using a phrase like "was intentionally ignored" becomes a more precise option. The provided related phrases offer alternate ways to express similar ideas with slight variations in nuance, such as "faded into obscurity" or "slipped from memory", which emphasize a gradual process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slipped from memory

Indicates a subtle and unintentional process of being forgotten.

became a distant memory

Highlights the temporal aspect of being forgotten.

faded into obscurity

Suggests a gradual decline in memory or importance.

sunk into oblivion

Suggests a complete and irretrievable state of being forgotten.

was consigned to oblivion

Implies a more forceful and deliberate act of forgetting.

passed into oblivion

Similar to "was consigned to oblivion", but with a sense of inevitability.

was lost to the mists of time

Emphasizes the historical distance and irretrievability of the forgotten subject.

became lost in the shuffle

Indicates that something was forgotten due to being overwhelmed by other things.

was relegated to the past

Highlights that the subject is no longer relevant or considered.

became unimportant

Suggests a loss of significance that leads to being forgotten.

FAQs

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

You can use "became forgotten" to describe something that has gradually faded from memory or importance. For example, "The small village "became forgotten" after the main road was rerouted".

What are some alternatives to saying "became forgotten"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "faded into obscurity", "slipped from memory", or "was consigned to oblivion".

What is the difference between "became forgotten" and "was forgotten"?

"Became forgotten" implies a process of gradually being forgotten over time. "Was forgotten" simply states the condition of being forgotten without necessarily implying a process.

Is it better to say "became forgotten" or "was forgotten"?

It depends on the context. Use "became forgotten" when you want to emphasize the transition into a state of being unremembered. Use "was forgotten" for a more general statement about something being unremembered.