became watchful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became watchful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a change in someone's state of awareness or vigilance, often in response to a situation or event. Example: "After hearing the strange noises outside, she became watchful, scanning the darkness for any signs of movement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The dolphins often responded as if they were picturing their long-ago social pals, Bruck reports online today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. For instance, two younger dolphins, Kai and D.J., became watchful and alert when they heard the whistles of Lucky and Hastings, two dominant males they had spent time with at the Brookfield Zoo.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I can only hope that we have become watchful of our darkest corners, and share a prayer for that beautiful baby boy meanwhile.

Huffington Post

Yet as Dakotah filled out her grandparents became very watchful.

The New Yorker

The characters become acutely watchful as war approaches.

The New York Times - Books

But while some law enforcement agencies, especially in California, have become increasingly watchful about the problem, the courts have lagged behind.

The New York Times

But his experiences before and during the second world war led him to become especially watchful against the easy complacency and reflex hatred that had guaranteed its worst atrocities.

The Guardian

By the time "an infinitely deflective Englishman" arrives, perhaps in Roxanne's place, who calls himself Escovil and purports to be a travel writer at a time when carefree travel is a thing of the past, Zannis has become more watchful.

The New York Times - Books

"How could anybody know if there's money in someone else's account?" Ever since the financial crisis, regulators have become more watchful about the types of fees banks can charge customers.

Los Angeles Times

Some were fearful that by increasing a relatives' role in monitoring symptoms they could potentially become overly watchful and misattribute normal emotions as early warning signs which could exacerbate matters.

BMC Psychiatry

That was when his talk of a border wall paid for by Mexico was imagined as, really, a mere reinforced fence, while a Muslim ban became a more watchful eye on refugees, just as sexual predation became locker-room talk.

The New Yorker

For me, I became an early adopter to Facebook to keep a watchful eye on my teenage sons.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became watchful" to describe a transition into a state of increased alertness or vigilance, often in response to a specific trigger or perceived threat.

Common error

Avoid using "became watchful" excessively in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "became alert" or "grew vigilant" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became watchful" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a change of state. It describes the action of transitioning into a state of increased alertness or vigilance. Examples on Ludwig show its use in describing reactions to specific events or situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became watchful" describes a transition to a state of heightened alertness or vigilance. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to describe reactions to events or circumstances, as seen in the provided examples. While not a very common phrase, its meaning is clear, and it's most often found in news and scientific contexts. Alternatives include "became alert" or "grew vigilant". When writing, be mindful of overusing the phrase and consider these synonyms to enhance clarity and avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became alert

Highlights a change in attentiveness.

turned vigilant

Highlights the shift towards heightened alertness and readiness.

grew observant

Emphasizes a gradual increase in attentiveness and noticing details.

turned observant

Emphasizes a shift toward noticing more details

got attentive

Focuses on the act of paying closer attention.

grew attentive

Focuses on a gradual increase in paying attention.

grew wary

Implies a cautious increase in vigilance due to suspicion or uncertainty.

got cautious

Emphasizes the adoption of a more careful and guarded approach.

turned their attention

Indicates a shift of focus and attentiveness towards something specific.

became aware

Focuses on gaining knowledge or perception of something, leading to increased watchfulness.

FAQs

What does "became watchful" mean?

The phrase "became watchful" describes a change in state where someone or something transitions to being more alert, observant, and vigilant. It suggests an increased awareness of surroundings or potential threats.

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

You can use "became watchful" to describe a character's reaction to a situation, for example: "After the break-in, the neighbors "became watchful", monitoring the street for any suspicious activity."

What are some alternatives to "became watchful"?

Alternatives to "became watchful" include "became alert", "grew vigilant", "turned observant", or "got attentive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "became watchful" or "become watchful"?

"Became watchful" is the past tense, used to describe a completed action. "Become watchful" is the present tense, indicating an ongoing or habitual action. The choice depends on the context of your sentence.