become attached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become attached" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to develop a strong emotional or physical bond with someone or something. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing a romantic relationship, a close friendship, or a bond with a particular place or object. Example: After spending years volunteering at the animal shelter, I had become attached to many of the dogs there and was sad to leave them behind when I moved to a different city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You become attached to them each year".

The New York Times

Do not become attached to possessions.

The New York Times

They even become attached to you.

The Guardian - Opinion

You can only become attached to people".

The New York Times - Tech

The tag of misogyny did become attached to your comedy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As viewers, we become attached to the building, too.

The Washington Post

Governments can become attached to banks they get their hands on.

The Economist

Because I had become attached to it, I was given special permission to keep it.

The New Yorker

In addition, traditional publishers have experienced editors to whom writers become attached, sometimes for decades.

The New York Times

Elian has become attached both to his Miami relatives and his new homeland.

The Economist

When you become attached to that, you become its prisoner.' Ken Livingstone disagrees.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become attached", consider the degree of emotional investment you want to convey. For lighter connections, alternatives like "take a liking to" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Be mindful of the context when using "become attached". In some situations, it might suggest a stronger bond than intended. Opt for milder alternatives if a casual connection is more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become attached" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of forming an emotional bond or connection with someone or something. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, demonstrating its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become attached" is a versatile and common expression used to describe the development of an emotional bond. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical structure is correct and appropriate for a variety of situations. With a high frequency across platforms like News & Media and Wiki, the phrase suits both informal and neutral registers. When aiming to provide descriptions around emotional connections, you should be aware of possible alternatives like "develop a fondness for" or "form a bond with", depending on the depth of the connection you want to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow attached

Similar to "become attached", but suggests a more gradual process.

form a bond with

Emphasizes the creation of a connection or relationship, highlighting the reciprocal aspect.

develop a fondness for

Implies a gradual growth of affection or liking, slightly less intense than "become attached".

get close to

Indicates developing a personal relationship, focusing on emotional proximity.

grow to love

Suggests a deeper emotional connection and affection that strengthens over time.

feel affection for

Highlights the experience of warm feelings toward someone or something.

take a liking to

Implies developing a favorable impression, less intense and immediate than "become attached".

be drawn to

Suggests an attraction or pull towards someone or something, often based on positive qualities.

get used to

Implies adaptation and acceptance, potentially leading to attachment, but doesn't always indicate affection.

get hooked on

Implies a strong liking to someone or something that is difficult to stop consuming or doing

FAQs

What does "become attached" mean?

The phrase "become attached" signifies developing an emotional bond or affection for someone or something. It implies a connection that has grown over time.

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

You can use "become attached" to describe developing feelings for a person, a place, or even an object. For example, "She "became attached" to her new puppy quickly".

What are some alternatives to "become attached"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "develop a fondness for", "grow to love", or "form a bond with".

Is it correct to say "become attached with" instead of "become attached to"?

While some may use "become attached with", the more standard and grammatically accepted form is "become attached to". It clearly indicates the object or person to which the attachment is formed.