became indifferent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became indifferent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a change in someone's feelings or attitudes, indicating that they have lost interest or concern about something. Example: "After years of involvement in the project, she eventually became indifferent to its outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I became indifferent to death.

The New Yorker

Just as bad, the newly empowered communities soon became indifferent.

The New York Times

At some point, she stopped praising my efforts and became indifferent.

The New Yorker

Tells about how at the age of fifteen she became indifferent to her mother.

The New Yorker

"People somehow became indifferent to the many existential issues in Israel, and this may revive public debate".

Independent

The Tibetans, after a few appraising glances, became indifferent to them, probably confident that the Chinese wouldn't be able to follow a conversation in English.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He said officials had become "indifferent, uncaring, and outright inefficient".

The Guardian

Unlike a character in one of them, I've not yet become indifferent to the weather.

The New Yorker

We have become indifferent to the instrument of prose as anything other than instrumental.

The New York Times - Books

You can think of wallpaper that is just passing by in time, and that listener has become indifferent to it.

Cornell University

If one has retained lust and the other become indifferent to physical charm, real friendship is an aching impossibility.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became indifferent" to precisely describe a transition from a state of interest or concern to one of apathy or disinterest. It is suitable when indicating a noticeable shift in attitude, especially when the prior state was one of engagement.

Common error

While "became indifferent" is versatile, it might sound too clinical or detached when describing a situation that warrants a stronger emotional response. Consider using more empathetic language if you're aiming to convey understanding or sympathy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became indifferent" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state that someone or something has transitioned into. This indicates a change in emotion or attitude. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became indifferent" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe a transition from a state of interest or concern to one of apathy or detachment. As Ludwig AI states, it's correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While common, remember to avoid overuse in overly emotional situations, opting for more empathetic language when necessary. Consider alternatives like "grew apathetic" or "lost interest" to fine-tune the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grew apathetic

This alternative emphasizes a gradual decline into a state of apathy or lack of concern.

lost interest

Indicates a reduction or cessation of interest in a particular subject or activity.

became unconcerned

Highlights a shift to a state of not being worried or anxious.

stopped caring

Emphasizes an emotional detachment or cessation of emotional investment.

became detached

Describes a state of emotional or physical separation from something.

turned a blind eye

Implies a deliberate act of ignoring something, often something negative or problematic.

lost enthusiasm

Implies a decrease in excitement or passion for something.

disengaged from

Suggests a withdrawal from active participation or involvement.

became unmoved

Indicates a lack of emotional response or reaction to something.

remained unaffected

Highlights the absence of influence or change in response to something.

FAQs

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

You can use "became indifferent" to describe a shift in someone's feelings or attitude toward something, indicating they've lost interest or concern. For instance: "After the company's repeated failures, the investors "became indifferent" to its long-term prospects."

What's the difference between "became indifferent" and "became apathetic"?

"Became indifferent" suggests a loss of interest or concern, while "became apathetic"/s/became+apathetic implies a broader lack of emotion or motivation. Indifference is often specific to a particular thing, while apathy is a more general state.

What are some alternatives to "became indifferent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "grew apathetic", "lost interest", or "became unconcerned". These options provide slightly different nuances while conveying a similar sense of detachment.

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

Both are grammatically correct, but "became indifferent" refers to a change that happened in the past, while "become indifferent" indicates a current state resulting from a change. The choice depends on the intended tense.