became known

USAGE SUMMARY

"became known" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has been revealed or become well known. For example: "The truth about the scandal became known shortly after the investigation had begun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I became known for masks.

The New York Times

Leyla's story became known internationally.

The New Yorker

Success became known.

The New Yorker

He became known.

The New York Times

This became known as the Orangeburg Massacre.

The New Yorker

It became known as "the Irving deal".

The New York Times

He became known for breaking tackles.

The New York Times - Sports

It became known as The Gun Emplacement.

Independent

This became known as the Fukuda doctrine.

The Economist

I became known for being quite cutting".

The New York Times

The approach became known as "pavement politics".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became known" when you want to emphasize the process of something becoming widely recognized or understood, rather than the initial act of discovery. It is suitable when describing a gradual increase in awareness.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "became known". While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound indirect. Consider active voice alternatives where appropriate, such as "people discovered" or "research revealed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became known" functions as a stative verb phrase indicating a change in awareness or public knowledge. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing how facts, events, or concepts transition from obscurity to recognition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became known" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate that something has transitioned from being unknown or obscure to being widely recognized or understood. As shown by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as encyclopedias and wikis. The phrase is grammatically correct and maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various writing styles. While "became known" is acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests diversifying writing by sometimes opting for active voice constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was revealed

Focuses on the act of uncovering or disclosing information that was previously hidden.

was discovered

Emphasizes the finding or uncovering of something previously unknown.

emerged

Highlights the gradual appearance or development of something into prominence.

gained recognition

Indicates the achievement of acknowledgement or approval.

became apparent

Stresses the increasing clarity or obviousness of something.

came to light

Implies the exposure or unveiling of something previously concealed.

was established

Indicates something becoming firmly recognized or accepted.

rose to prominence

Highlights the ascent to a leading or well-known position.

entered the public consciousness

Focuses on the widespread awareness of something among the general population.

circulated widely

Emphasizes the broad distribution and awareness of something.

FAQs

What's a simple way to use "became known" in a sentence?

You can use "became known" to indicate that something was revealed or discovered. For example, "The truth about the incident "became known" after the investigation concluded".

Are there formal alternatives to "became known"?

Yes, alternatives such as "was revealed", "was disclosed", or "came to light" can be used in more formal contexts. For instance, "The details of the agreement "were disclosed" during the press conference".

How does "became known" differ from "was discovered"?

"Was discovered" implies the initial finding of something, while "became known" suggests that information or a fact gradually became widely recognized. For example, penicillin "was discovered" by Alexander Fleming, but its widespread benefits "became known" over time.

What are some common phrases that are similar to "became known"?

Similar phrases include "emerged", "gained recognition", and "became apparent". Each suggests a different nuance of something becoming widely understood or recognized.