became friends

USAGE SUMMARY

"became friends" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of two people becoming friends. For example: After spending several hours together, Mary and Joe became friends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They soon became friends.

The New York Times

The two became friends.

The New York Times - Books

They became friends.

The New York Times

We became friends.

The New York Times - Food

Gilbert and Hembrey became friends.

The New York Times - Magazine

They talked and became friends.

Independent

Berro and Follis became friends.

The New Yorker

Later still, we became friends.

The New Yorker

We gradually became friends, though.

Independent

Miller and Whitney became friends.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We became friends right away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context when using "became friends". In formal writing, consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "cultivated a friendship" or "established a rapport".

Common error

Repetitive use of "became friends" can make your writing monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "developed a friendship", "formed a bond", or "struck up a friendship" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became friends" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of forming a friendship. It's used to describe the point at which a friendly relationship was established between individuals or groups. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "became friends" is a grammatically sound and widely used verb phrase that describes the initiation of a friendly relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, its proper usage spans across numerous contexts, though it's predominantly found in news and media. When writing, ensure variety by considering synonyms like "struck up a friendship" or "formed a bond" to prevent redundancy. By understanding its function and typical usage, you can effectively and accurately convey the development of friendships in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struck up a friendship

Emphasizes the initiation of the friendship.

hit it off

Indicates an immediate connection.

forged a bond

Highlights a strong connection forming.

formed a close relationship

Specifies the depth of the relationship.

grew close

Indicates a gradual deepening of the relationship.

developed a rapport

Focuses on the mutual understanding and harmony.

befriended one another

Highlights mutual action and reciprocity in forming the friendship.

connected on a personal level

Highlights the individual aspect of the connection.

cultivated a friendship

Emphasizes the effort put into the friendship.

established camaraderie

Focuses on the mutual trust and fellowship.

FAQs

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

You can use "became friends" to describe the process of two or more people developing a friendship. For example, "After working together on the project, they "became friends"."

What can I say instead of "became friends"?

You can use alternatives like "struck up a friendship", "formed a bond", or "developed a rapport" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "become friends" instead of "became friends"?

"Become friends" is the present tense form, while "became friends" is the past tense. Use "become friends" when describing a current or habitual action, and "became friends" when referring to a past event.

What's the difference between "were friends" and "became friends"?

"Were friends" describes a state of being, indicating that two people had an established friendship. "Became friends" describes the action or process of forming that friendship.