become a smaller

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become a smaller" is not correct in English as it is incomplete and lacks context.
It could be used in a context where you are discussing a reduction in size or scale, but it needs to be followed by a noun to be grammatically correct. Example: "As the project progressed, we began to see how it would become a smaller version of the original plan."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Has childhood become a smaller, scarier place?

The Guardian - Books

It's gonna become a smaller, more nimble, different place.

The New Yorker

Perhaps banking will become a smaller business, and as boring as it used to be.

The New York Times

Since then, industrial conglomerates have lost some of their luster and become a smaller force.

The New York Times

He suspects that it will simply become a smaller part of the story, with more allowance for natural selection.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The bank, based in Newcastle, plans to become a "smaller, more focused, financially viable mortgage and savings" company, it said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Indeed, golf has become a small world.

The New York Times

It can become a small rehearsal for future change.

The Guardian - Books

"In some sense this could become a small user facility," he said.

Stanford University

By the end, Glock has become a small cog in a big machine.

The Economist

Successful pastors lecture on leadership, and church-growth consulting has become a small industry.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "become a smaller", always specify what is becoming smaller by adding a noun after the phrase. For example: "become a smaller company".

Common error

Avoid using "become a smaller" without specifying what is becoming smaller. This leaves the sentence unfinished and unclear. Always complete the phrase with a relevant noun to provide context and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become a smaller" acts as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a description of its future state involving a reduction. Ludwig AI points out the phrase isn't correct without a completing noun. The examples show its use in describing the transformation of various entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become a smaller" is commonly used to describe a transition to a reduced state, particularly in the news and media. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incomplete. To use the phrase effectively, always specify the noun that is becoming smaller, such as "become a smaller company". Alternatives like ""get smaller"" or ""shrink to a smaller"" offer grammatically sound options. Ensure that you provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity and maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become smaller

Omits the article "a" to form a grammatically correct sentence, describing a change in size.

get smaller

Replaces "become" with "get" to denote a change in size or scope. This subtly alters the tone to be more casual.

grow smaller

Uses "grow" instead of "become" to suggest a gradual decrease in size.

turn into a smaller

Emphasizes transformation in scale, similar to downsizing.

evolve into a smaller

Suggests a gradual development towards a reduced scale.

shrink to a smaller

Indicates a reduction in size, often implying a loss of importance or influence.

be reduced to a smaller

Expresses that something has been made smaller, typically by external forces.

diminish into a smaller

Signifies a gradual decline in size, importance, or impact.

contract to a smaller

Implies a reduction in size or scope due to internal or external pressures.

morph into a smaller

Implies a transformation or change in form, resulting in a smaller size.

FAQs

How to properly use "become a smaller" in a sentence?

The phrase "become a smaller" needs a noun to specify what is changing. For example, instead of just saying "it will become a smaller", you can say "it will "become a smaller company"".

What does "become a smaller" mean?

The phrase "become a smaller" indicates a transformation or reduction in size or scope of something. The intended meaning is related to phrases like "get smaller" or "shrink to a smaller".

Which is the difference between "become a smaller" and "become smaller"?

"Become a smaller" is generally considered grammatically incorrect because of the unnecessary article "a" before the adjective. "Become smaller" is more common and grammatically sound.

What's a more formal alternative to "become a smaller"?

While "become a smaller" is grammatically questionable, a more formal alternative depends on the context, but could include phrases like "be reduced to a smaller" or "diminish into a smaller", specifying what is being reduced or diminished.