become better

USAGE SUMMARY

"become better" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The coach encouraged her to become better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To become better people.

The New Yorker

They become better players".

The New York Times

They've become better players.

The Guardian - Sport

And we become better".

The Guardian

Despite ourselves it has become better.

The New York Times - Magazine

Their neighbors have become better off.

The New York Times

Things have become better for Mr. Sedhuraman.

The New York Times

Scribes want to become better scribes.

The Economist

You become better at articulation.

The Guardian

That's how you become better.

The Guardian - Sport

So things had become better.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become better" when you want to emphasize a process of transformation or improvement, rather than a static state. For example, "We strive to become better leaders through continuous learning."

Common error

While "become better" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Instead, opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "enhance", "advance", or "develop" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become better" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of improvement or transformation. As supported by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct way to express the idea of making progress or achieving a higher standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

16%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become better" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a process of improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. While very common in news and general contexts, it's important to consider more formal alternatives like "enhance" or "develop" for academic or highly professional writing. The phrase's communicative purpose is primarily to express aspiration or progress, and it functions as a verb phrase within a sentence. Its usage is quite frequent across diverse sources, making it a reliable choice for expressing the concept of improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get better

A more general and versatile term for improvement in health, skills, or situations.

make progress

Emphasizes the act of moving forward and achieving advancements.

improve oneself

Focuses specifically on self-improvement, highlighting personal development.

grow

Implies natural development and expansion in skills, knowledge, or understanding.

develop

Suggests gradual growth and refinement over time.

advance

Implies progress, often in a career or skill set, suggesting a step forward.

refine

Focuses on making small improvements to enhance quality or precision.

excel

Implies surpassing ordinary standards and achieving high performance.

evolve

Suggests a transformation into a more advanced or refined state.

upgrade

Suggests improving something by adding or replacing parts.

FAQs

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

You can use "become better" to describe a process of improvement, such as "With practice, you can "become better" at playing the piano".

What's a simple alternative to "become better"?

A simpler alternative is "get better", which is suitable for informal contexts. For example, "I hope to get better at coding".

Is "become better" grammatically correct?

Yes, "become better" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express the idea of improvement or progress.

What's the difference between "become better" and "improve"?

"Become better" implies a process of transformation, whereas "improve" is a more general term for making something better. You might say, "I want to improve my skills to "become better" at my job".