became unmanageable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became unmanageable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, task, or behavior that has become too difficult to control or handle. Example: "As the project progressed, the workload became unmanageable, leading to stress among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

A list-serv soon became unmanageable.

The New York Times

She withdrew into herself and became unmanageable.

The Guardian - Arts

By the late 1960s these strains became unmanageable.

The Economist

Foreign debts became unmanageable and banks and companies insolvent.

The Economist

And the burden of trying to be all things to all of his patients became unmanageable.

The New York Times - Health

"The problem started to emerge after the 2005 election and later it became unmanageable".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

My life had become unmanageable.

The Guardian - Books

But these loans eventually become unmanageable.

The New York Times

The bureau contends that their numbers have become unmanageable.

The New York Times

To make matters worse, some nations have become unmanageable.

The New York Times

"They feel that the system has become unmanageable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "became unmanageable" with stronger verbs or phrases that convey a greater sense of urgency or severity, especially when describing critical situations.

Common error

Avoid using "became unmanageable" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise and impactful language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became unmanageable" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a noun or situation that has transitioned into being beyond control or difficult to handle. This is supported by Ludwig AI which confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became unmanageable" serves as a succinct descriptor for scenarios that have spiraled beyond the realm of effective control. According to Ludwig, it is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English writing. Its broad applicability spans diverse contexts, from finances and health to politics and personal behavior, all indicating a loss of control or difficulty in handling a given situation. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and business settings. When using this phrase, it's helpful to provide clear context about what specifically became difficult to manage. While generally neutral in tone, stronger alternatives might be preferable to amplify impact in certain contexts. While the phrase is very common, it's vital to avoid overuse in formal writing. In essence, the phrase effectively captures a state of being beyond management, a concept universally understood across varied domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turned uncontrollable

Focuses on the loss of control rather than the difficulty in managing the situation.

grew out of hand

Emphasizes the escalation of a situation beyond manageable limits.

spiraled out of control

Implies a rapid and uncontrolled descent into chaos or disorder.

got beyond control

Highlights the loss of ability to govern or direct something.

exceeded capacity

Focuses on the limitation of resources or ability to cope with an increasing load.

became overwhelming

Stresses the feeling of being burdened by the magnitude or intensity of something.

reached crisis point

Indicates a critical stage where intervention is urgently needed.

got too much to handle

Highlights the difficulty of dealing with a situation due to its complexity or scale.

became unsustainable

Emphasizes the inability to maintain a certain state or activity over time.

turned chaotic

Focuses on the disorganization and lack of order resulting from a loss of control.

FAQs

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

You can use "became unmanageable" to describe situations, tasks, or behaviors that have grown too difficult to control or handle. For example: "The project's scope became unmanageable due to unforeseen changes."

What can I say instead of "became unmanageable"?

You can use alternatives like "turned uncontrollable", "grew out of hand", or "became overwhelming" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "became unmanageable" or "turned unmanageable"?

Both "became unmanageable" and "turned unmanageable" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Became" suggests a gradual process, while "turned" might imply a more sudden change.

What's the difference between "became unmanageable" and "became unsustainable"?

"Became unmanageable" implies that something is difficult to control or handle, while "became unsustainable" suggests that something can no longer be maintained or continued over time. The former focuses on control, the latter on viability.