became smaller

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became smaller" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reduction in size or quantity over time. Example: "As the ice melted in the sun, it became smaller until it was just a puddle."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We became smaller".

The New York Times

The window for action quickly became smaller.

The New York Times

For three years his field of vision became smaller.

The New York Times

Hundreds of jobs were eliminated, and the deficits became smaller.

The New York Times

As nuclear bombs became smaller, ballistic missiles won the day.

The Economist

Households became smaller, populated with more earners and fewer children.

The Economist

Indeed, it increased as nanoparticles became smaller.

Toxicology

But the homogenously illuminated area became smaller.

Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications

When the pH decreased, the adsorption capacity became smaller.

Applied Water Science

The margin became smaller with the progress of degradation.

Earth, Planets and Space

With time increased, the size of nanoliposomes became smaller.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes over time, use "became smaller" to indicate a progressive reduction in size, amount, or intensity. This construction emphasizes the process of becoming, rather than a static state.

Common error

Avoid using "became smaller" when describing something that is inherently small. Instead, opt for adjectives like "small", "tiny", or "minute" to describe a current state, rather than a change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became smaller" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of reduction. It describes how something's size, quantity, or intensity diminishes over time. As Ludwig AI shows, it's widely used in both scientific and general contexts to denote this progressive change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became smaller" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe a reduction in size, quantity, or intensity over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a process of change, rather than a static state. While alternatives like "decreased in size" or "shrank" exist, "became smaller" offers a clear and accessible way to convey this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased in size

Replaces "became" with "decreased", focusing on the act of reducing in size.

shrank in dimensions

Uses "shrank" to indicate a reduction and specifies "dimensions" to emphasize physical size.

reduced in scale

Replaces "smaller" with "scale", implying a decrease in proportion or size relative to something else.

diminished in magnitude

Substitutes "smaller" with "magnitude", suggesting a decrease in overall extent or importance.

contracted in area

Uses "contracted" to suggest a shrinking and specifies "area" to denote a reduction in surface size.

lessened in extent

Employs "lessened" to convey a reduction and "extent" to highlight the scope or range.

narrowed in scope

Replaces "smaller" with "scope", indicating a limitation or restriction in range or coverage.

receded in volume

Suggests a withdrawal or decrease in quantity, often used for liquids or other measurable substances.

tapered off

Implies a gradual reduction, often used to describe a decrease in intensity or amount.

dwindled down

Conveys a gradual and progressive reduction, often suggesting a loss of significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "became smaller" to describe a reduction in size, quantity, or intensity over time. For example: "As the company downsized, its workforce "became smaller"."

What are some alternatives to "became smaller"?

Some alternatives include "decreased in size", "shrank", or "diminished". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "became smaller"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Became" is a verb indicating a change of state, and "smaller" is a comparative adjective describing the new state. This combination is perfectly acceptable in standard English.

What's the difference between "became smaller" and "is smaller"?

"Became smaller" implies a change over time, whereas "is smaller" describes a current state. For example, "The company became smaller after the merger" describes a change, while "This apple is smaller than that one" describes a current size comparison.