became less strict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became less strict" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where rules, regulations, or standards have been relaxed or made more lenient over time. Example: "The school's dress code became less strict after the new principal took charge, allowing students more freedom in their clothing choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

After the election of a reformist president, Mohammad Khatami, in 1997, limits on color became less strict for a time, and fashion shows were permitted.

The New York Times

The analysis over five years showed that GPs became less strict in their indications (more requests for 'other' indications), but also less efficient (i.e. a lower chance of pathological results of the echocardiographic examinations).

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

California, where the operation originated, has historically lax enforcement of its marijuana laws, and the laws themselves have become less strict over time.

The Guardian

Recently, Historic Royal Palaces has become less strict about letting the public in after hours; it now has limited Sunday twilight tours at 7-8.30pm 7-8.30pmber (nothing iNovemberer, sadly).

The Guardian - Travel

Parents have become less strict and children have become part of their lifestyle image, meaning they are more likely to spend money on them, says Ynon Kreiz, former boss of Fox Kids Europe (now owned by Disney).

The Economist

The gained revenue for PU is increased when it becomes less strict.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

As the data get noisier, the imputation becomes less constrained, since the number of unreliable components increases and the bounds outlined in Section 2.1 become less strict.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Later, (late S2, S3 and S4), the relationships between fruit development and embryogenesis become less strict.

BMC Plant Biology

Later in embryo development, the interactions between seed and fruit development become less strict.

BMC Plant Biology

12 14 In the light of these findings, most guidelines have become less strict towards metformin treatment in these patients.

BMJ Open

Ritz et al. [ 26] suggested that, in stress situations, transcriptional regulation becomes less strict, and this results in enhanced transcriptional slippage and accumulation of the low frequency noncanonical splicing-like transcript variants.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "became less strict", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific rules, regulations, or standards are being relaxed. For example: "After the review, the company's attendance policy became less strict."

Common error

Avoid using "became less strict" without specifying what is becoming less strict. For example, instead of saying "Things became less strict", specify "The dress code became less strict."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became less strict" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating a shift from a more rigid or controlled state to a more relaxed one. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became less strict" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies a reduction in the severity or enforcement of rules, regulations, or standards. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for use in various contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, it is important to clearly specify what is becoming less strict to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "became more lenient" or "relaxed its grip" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became more lenient

Highlights a shift towards greater permissiveness.

became more permissive

Highlights an increased allowance of actions or behaviors.

loosened regulations

Emphasizes the relaxation of formal rules.

eased restrictions

Specifically addresses the loosening of limitations.

became more tolerant

Emphasizes an increase in acceptance of previously restricted actions.

relaxed its grip

Focuses on the reduction of control or enforcement.

enforcement slackened

Focuses on the reduction of active implementation of rules.

the rules softened

Suggests a more gentle or flexible application of rules.

adopted a more flexible approach

Highlights a shift towards adaptability and less rigid methods.

standards were lowered

Indicates a decrease in the required level of quality or performance.

FAQs

What does "became less strict" mean?

The phrase "became less strict" means that a rule, regulation, or standard has been relaxed or is being enforced with less severity.

How can I use "became less strict" in a sentence?

You can use "became less strict" to describe a change in policy or rules, such as "The school's policy on late assignments "became more lenient" this year."

What are some alternatives to "became less strict"?

Alternatives include "became more lenient", "relaxed its grip", or "eased restrictions". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "became less strict" or "became more lenient"?

Both "became less strict" and "became more lenient" are grammatically correct, but "became more lenient" might sound slightly more formal or positive depending on the context.