became unconscious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became unconscious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state where someone loses consciousness, often due to medical reasons or trauma. Example: "After the accident, he became unconscious and was rushed to the hospital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There was smoke everywhere and I became unconscious.

Independent

They would often beat us until we became unconscious.

The Guardian

Due to severe bleeding, I became unconscious in my cell and was transferred to hospital clinic.

Independent

"They continued to commit crimes to my body until I became unconscious," she said.

Independent

The pensioner was helping a second man come to the girls' aid when he became unconscious.

Independent

By the time I got to shooting, the impression became unconscious.

The New York Times

She was sedated so that she became unconscious and she died after two or three days.

The Guardian

It was so loud but he'd been partying all day and just became unconscious.

The Guardian - Music

Your attorney has repeatedly pointed out, well we don't know exactly when she became unconscious.

The Guardian

When she became unconscious in 1990, the country was just beginning to talk about advance directives.

The New York Times

And we lost a 47th: a man who became unconscious underwater while trying to rescue the others.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "became unconscious" when you want to emphasize the process or transition into a state of unconsciousness.

Common error

Avoid using "became unconscious" when describing someone who is simply sleeping or resting. Ensure the context clearly indicates a loss of consciousness due to injury, illness, or other specific causes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became unconscious" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a change of state. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used. It typically describes a transition from a conscious state to one where the person is not aware or responsive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "became unconscious" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase used to describe the act of losing consciousness. Ludwig confirms the phrase is correct. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it commonly appears in news reports, scientific publications, and formal business communications, denoting a transition into a state of unresponsiveness due to various factors like injury or illness. While similar phrases such as "lost consciousness" or "passed out" can be used, "became unconscious" maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lost consciousness

This alternative is a more direct and common synonym, focusing on the action of losing consciousness.

Fell unconscious

This alternative emphasizes the suddenness of losing consciousness.

Blacked out

This alternative is more informal and implies a temporary loss of consciousness.

Lapsed into unconsciousness

This alternative suggests a gradual transition into unconsciousness.

Slipped into a coma

This alternative indicates a prolonged state of unconsciousness.

Became unresponsive

This alternative focuses on the lack of response rather than the state of consciousness itself.

Passed out

This alternative is a colloquial term for losing consciousness.

Entered a state of unconsciousness

This alternative is more formal and descriptive.

Was knocked unconscious

This alternative implies an external force caused the loss of consciousness.

Became insensate

This alternative is a more technical and less common synonym.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "became unconscious"?

When someone "became unconscious", it means they lost consciousness, often due to a medical condition, injury, or other trauma. This implies a temporary or prolonged state of unresponsiveness.

What can I say instead of "became unconscious"?

You can use alternatives like "lost consciousness", "blacked out", or "passed out" depending on the context. The phrase "became unresponsive" focuses on the lack of response.

Is it correct to say "became unconscious"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and widely understood to say "became unconscious". It accurately describes the act of losing consciousness.

What's the difference between "became unconscious" and "was unconscious"?

"Became unconscious" describes the action or transition into a state of unconsciousness, while "was unconscious" describes a state of being already in that condition. For example, "He became unconscious after the accident" versus "He was unconscious when paramedics arrived".