become a funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become a funny" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect construction, as "funny" is an adjective and cannot be used as a noun in this context. Example: "He always tries to become a funny person at parties, but his jokes often fall flat."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Weeks later, after this had finally become a funny story, it led me to thinking.

The New York Times

I've never envied people with early success; it's easy to become a funny combination of overconfident and insecure.

The New York Times - Magazine

That one-take recording is "United States of Whatever" (a half-spoken parody of the expression "like, whatever"), which has become a funny -- but not ha-ha funny -- radio favorite in the United States and in Europe, where it hit the Top 10.

The New York Times - Arts

Most times screw-ups are stressful at the time and later become a funny story.

Huffington Post

The Territory Below Great Sushi has become a funny category in America, qualitatively speaking.

Huffington Post

What would previously be considered to exist within a Dadaist tradition has become a funny video that 14 year olds like to watch.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Chemists become chemists by reading and practicing chemistry; sports writers become sports writers by reading and writing about sports; you're going to become a funnier person by reading and practicing jokes.

WikiHow

Do you think you became a funny child as a release from that kind of oppressiveness?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As Mercer's lyric compares a flashing insect to a car ("Glow, little glow-worm, turn the key on/You are equipped with taillight neon"), the song becomes a funny, sexy, fabulously inventive celebration of the mating instinct.

The New York Times - Arts

So each night it became a funny thing.

Vice

The striking similarity between the two logos soon became a funny trend topic on social media.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "become a funny", aim for grammatically correct alternatives like "become humorous" or "develop a sense of humor" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using the adjective "funny" as a noun. While it might sound colloquial, it's grammatically incorrect. Instead, choose a noun or a phrase that accurately conveys the intended meaning, such as "become a comedian" or "cultivate a comedic style".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become a funny" functions as an incorrect attempt to describe the process of developing comedic qualities or skills. As noted by Ludwig AI, the correct grammatical structure would require a noun phrase after "become a", not an adjective like "funny".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "become a funny" may appear in informal contexts, it's grammatically incorrect. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, "funny" is an adjective, and "become a" requires a noun or noun phrase. Better alternatives include "become humorous", "develop a sense of humor", or, if referring to a profession, "become a comedian". Although examples exist in sources like The New York Times and Huffington Post, it is safer to use grammatically sound alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become humorous

Replaces the adjective "funny" with its more formal equivalent "humorous".

learn to be funny

Implies a conscious effort to acquire the skill of being funny.

develop a sense of humor

Focuses on cultivating an appreciation and understanding of humor.

grow funnier

Indicates a gradual increase in comedic ability over time.

become wittier

Highlights the development of quick and clever verbal humor.

get better at humor

Focuses on improving the ability to understand and create jokes.

cultivate a comedic persona

Emphasizes the deliberate construction of a humorous public image.

become an amusing person

Shifts the focus to being generally entertaining and enjoyable.

acquire a talent for comedy

Suggests gaining a natural aptitude for comedic expression.

transform into a comedian

Indicates transitioning to a professional entertainer.

FAQs

What's grammatically wrong with "become a funny"?

The word "funny" is an adjective, and in this context, a noun or noun phrase is required after "become a". Therefore, it's grammatically incorrect. Consider using "become a comedian" or "develop a sense of humor" instead.

How can I use "funny" correctly in a similar sentence?

You could say "become more funny", though that sounds awkward. A better phrasing is "become funnier". Alternatively, use "develop a sense of humor" or "cultivate a comedic style".

Is it ever acceptable to use "become a funny" in writing?

While you may occasionally encounter the phrase in informal speech or writing, it is generally not considered grammatically correct. For clarity and professionalism, it's best to use alternatives like "become humorous" or "develop a sense of humor".

What are some professional alternatives to "become a funny"?

In professional contexts, opt for phrases like "become a comedian", "enhance comedic skills", or "cultivate a comedic style". These options convey a similar meaning with improved grammatical correctness.