become apparent

USAGE SUMMARY

"become apparent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is beginning to be noticed or understood, or when something is becoming obvious. For example: "As the evidence was presented, it became apparent that the defendant was guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ukraine's defeat soon become apparent.

The Economist

"It started to become apparent".

The New York Times

They can take months to become apparent.

The New York Times - Health

By now, certain things have become apparent.

Independent

A few themes become apparent.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But this work's complications quickly become apparent.

The New York Times

Yet some common threads become apparent.

The New York Times - Arts

(An unfortunate lapse, as shall become apparent).

The New York Times

This decision will become apparent to the primary electorate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The closeness of the finish has now become apparent.

The New York Times

It's at this point that the flaws become apparent.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become apparent" to signal a gradual shift in understanding or visibility rather than an instantaneous revelation. This phrase works well when describing trends, processes, or developments that unfold over time.

Common error

Avoid using "become apparent" to describe moments of sudden insight or epiphany. Opt for phrases like "suddenly realized" or "it dawned on me" to better convey the immediacy of the realization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become apparent" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a gradual change in perception or understanding. As shown in Ludwig's examples, the phrase typically describes the process by which something moves from being unnoticed or unclear to being noticeable or understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become apparent" is a versatile and widely used expression for indicating a gradual realization or visibility. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for a variety of contexts, particularly news, science, and formal writing. While synonyms like ""become obvious"" and ""become clear"" exist, "become apparent" carries a nuanced meaning best suited for describing processes unfolding over time. When writing, remember to avoid using this phrase for sudden epiphanies and choose it to convey a gradual shift in understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become obvious

Emphasizes a clear and easily perceived change in understanding.

become clear

Highlights the removal of doubt or confusion.

become evident

Stresses the presence of outward signs or proof.

emerge

Suggests a gradual coming into view or notice.

come to light

Implies a discovery or revelation after being hidden.

be revealed

Highlights the act of uncovering or disclosing something.

be unveiled

Signifies a formal or ceremonious disclosure.

grow noticeable

Focuses on the gradual increase in visibility or awareness.

materialize

Implies that something abstract or conceptual becomes concrete or real.

dawn on

Suggests a sudden realization or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "become apparent" in a sentence?

You can use "become apparent" to describe something that gradually becomes noticeable or understood. For example: "As the investigation progressed, the truth began to "become apparent"."

What are some alternatives to "become apparent"?

Some alternatives to "become apparent" include "become clear", "become obvious", and "emerge". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "becomes apparent" or "became apparent"?

The correct tense depends on the timing of the event you are describing. Use "becomes apparent" for something currently happening and "became apparent" for something that happened in the past.

What's the difference between "become apparent" and "become obvious"?

"Become apparent" implies a gradual realization, while ""become obvious"" suggests something is immediately clear. The choice depends on whether the understanding developed over time or was instantly apparent.