became suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became suspicious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a change in someone's feelings or thoughts, particularly when they start to doubt or question something or someone. Example: "After noticing the discrepancies in the report, she became suspicious of her colleague's intentions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Zimmerman became suspicious.

The New York Times

Then he became suspicious.

The New York Times

I immediately became suspicious.

The New Yorker

But Ms. Carlquist became suspicious.

The New York Times

The swimmers quickly became suspicious.

The New York Times

Eventually, Taylor's parents became suspicious.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was then that I became suspicious.

The Guardian - Money

Morgan Stanley became suspicious during routine checks.

The Guardian - Business

The N.C.A.A., however, quickly became suspicious — and antagonistic.

The New York Times

Mrs Cooper's sister, Daphne Wilson, became suspicious and contacted police.

Independent

When one check nearly bounced, Mr. Forger became suspicious.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became suspicious" to clearly indicate a change in someone's perception from trusting to doubting. This phrasing is effective when narrating events that lead to a character's change of heart or mind.

Common error

Avoid using "became suspicious" to describe inanimate objects or abstract concepts. This phrase is best suited for describing the mental state of living beings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became suspicious" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a change in mental state. It describes the process of someone transitioning into a state of suspicion, as supported by Ludwig's examples showcasing various contexts where individuals or groups develop distrust.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "became suspicious" is a verb phrase used to describe the transition into a state of doubt or distrust. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's best used to describe living beings' mental states. Related phrases include "grew distrustful" and "started doubting", offering nuanced alternatives. Remember to use it to indicate a shift in perception clearly. Avoid applying it to inanimate subjects. Overall, "became suspicious" is a valuable phrase for narrating developments and conveying shifts in opinion across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grew distrustful

Emphasizes a growing lack of trust.

started doubting

Focuses on the inception of doubt.

grew skeptical

Highlights an increase in skepticism.

began to wonder

Suggests the initial stage of questioning something.

took a dim view

Indicates a negative or doubtful perspective.

smelled a rat

Suggests suspecting deception or wrongdoing.

had misgivings

Expresses feelings of doubt or apprehension.

lost faith in

Implies a diminishing belief or trust.

questioned the validity

Highlights a formal questioning of truth or accuracy.

had reservations about

Indicates having doubts or hesitations.

FAQs

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

You can use "became suspicious" to describe a shift in someone's feelings from trust to doubt, as in "After noticing the discrepancies, she became suspicious of his claims".

What are some alternatives to "became suspicious"?

Alternatives include "grew distrustful", "started doubting", or "grew skeptical", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "was suspicious" or "became suspicious"?

"Was suspicious" describes a state of being, while "became suspicious" describes the transition into that state. Use "became suspicious" when you want to emphasize the change in feeling.

What does it mean when someone "became suspicious"?

It means that the person transitioned from a state of trust or neutrality to a state of doubt or distrust, often due to new information or circumstances.