became the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a transformation or change into a specific state or role. Example: "After years of hard work, she became the leader of the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It became the distraction.

The New York Times - Sports

It became the government.

The Economist

She became the tree.

The New Yorker

Fey became the "S.N.L".

The New Yorker

He became the issue.

The New York Times

Viewers became the viewed.

The New York Times - Arts

He became the L.I.U.

The New York Times - Sports

I became the warden".

The New York Times

They became the Sunnis.

Independent

Parcells became the enemy".

The New York Times

Self-sufficiency became the watchword.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became the" to clearly indicate a change in status or identity. Ensure the context makes it clear what the subject transformed into.

Common error

Avoid using "become the" instead of "became the" when referring to a past event. "Became" indicates a completed transformation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became the" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject with a new state, role, or identity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse sentence structures, signifying a transformation or attainment of a specific position.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "became the" is a versatile and frequently used linking phrase to indicate a transformation or change in status. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears commonly in news, encyclopedias, and wikis, suggesting a neutral register. When writing, ensure you're using the correct tense ("became" for past events) and consider alternatives like "turned into the" or "transformed into the" to add nuance. The source analysis indicates usage across authoritative platforms such as The New York Times and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transformed into the

Emphasizes a more significant change or alteration than "became the".

evolved into the

Suggests a gradual development or progression into a final form.

turned into the

Implies a complete change, sometimes unexpected, into something different.

emerged as the

Implies a gradual visibility or recognition as something significant.

was appointed the

Focuses on the act of being officially designated for a specific role.

rose to become the

Indicates advancement or achievement leading to a position.

was made the

Indicates an action by someone else, causing the subject to take a new position.

was elected the

Specifically refers to gaining a position through a voting process.

assumed the role of

Highlights the taking on of responsibilities and duties.

succeeded to the position of

Describes inheriting or taking over a role previously held by someone else.

FAQs

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

Use "became the" to show a transition or change in status. For example, "After years of training, she became the champion."

What are some alternatives to "became the"?

You can use alternatives like "turned into the", "evolved into the", or "transformed into the" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "became the" and "become the"?

"Became the" is the past tense, used for completed actions. "Become the" is the base form of the verb, typically used in hypothetical or future contexts. For example, "He aspires to become the leader".

When is it appropriate to use "rose to become the" instead of "became the"?

"Rose to become the" implies effort, advancement, or a journey to achieve the new status. It's more appropriate when highlighting the process leading to the change, as compared to a simple statement of transformation with "became the".