become able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"become able to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It does not have one specific usage so you could use it in a wide range of contexts. For example: "He worked hard and eventually became able to speak French fluently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A stroke victim had become able to feed himself.

The New York Times

Tens of millions of people have become able to afford expensive cures.

The Economist

Four days prior to the rash is when most people become able to spread the love.

Independent

Over time, these games will become able to modify themselves to better "fit" each individual.

University of California, Berkeley

You become able to do something, and that's almost verging on fatal".

The Guardian - Books

A movie of hyperswarmers starkly illustrates how different they had become, able to fill up the entire dish.

The New York Times - Science

This will probably not change in the coming years as machines become able to do more and more things.

Stanford University

Eventually this equipment will become unnecessary as computer-vision systems become able to perceive the users' visual and auditory behavior.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Students will become able to handle daily conversations, and read and write simple passages in hiragana, katakana and kanji.

Columbia University

And outside agencies estimate that Iran could become able to assemble a nuclear weapon between 2010 and 2015.

The New York Times

Early childhood constitutes a critical transition period during which children become able to understand their own and others' "inner world" as it relates to actions.

Early Childhood Research Quarterly

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become able to" to indicate a change in capability or potential. For example, "After the training, they became able to handle complex tasks."

Common error

Avoid using "able" in a way that's already implied by the verb "become". For example, instead of "They become able to succeed", simply say "They become successful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become able to" functions as a verb phrase indicating the acquisition of a new skill, capacity, or state of being. It describes a process of change or development leading to a new capability. As Ludwig indicates, its usage is correct and applicable in diverse situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

49%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become able to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to describe the acquisition of a new skill, capacity, or state of being. According to Ludwig, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While it's a common phrase, it's important to avoid redundancy and select the most precise alternative when appropriate. When aiming for more formality, consider options like "become competent to". Ludwig's examples show the phrase used to describe development, progress, and the attainment of new abilities. Be sure to focus on clarity and conciseness in order to craft the best sentence for your aims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become competent to

Emphasizes acquiring the necessary skills or knowledge.

grow capable of

Implies developing an ability over time.

become equipped to

Focuses on obtaining the resources or tools required.

acquire the skill to

Focuses on gaining expertise.

become empowered to

Highlights gaining authority or control.

get in a position to

Highlights achieving a favorable situation to act.

become authorized to

Implies receiving official permission.

get the opportunity to

Focuses on the chance to do something.

become eligible to

Suggests meeting the necessary criteria.

learn how to

Emphasizes the process of acquiring knowledge or a skill.

FAQs

How can I use "become able to" in a sentence?

Use "become able to" to describe the process of gaining a new skill or capacity. For example, "Through consistent practice, she "became able to" play the piano beautifully."

What are some alternatives to "become able to"?

You can use phrases like "become competent to", "grow capable of", or "get in a position to" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "become able to" and "be able to"?

"Be able to" describes a current state of capability, while "become able to" describes the process of acquiring that capability. For example, "He is able to swim" versus "He "became able to" swim after taking lessons".

Can "become able to" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "become able to" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing a significant development or improvement. However, consider alternatives like "become competent to" for even more formal contexts.