become conspicuous

USAGE SUMMARY

"become conspicuous" is correct and is often used in written English, particularly in formal contexts.
For example, "Recent global events have made inequality become conspicuous around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

More recently it has become conspicuous on the top line.

The Economist

Seven months later, however, that question has become conspicuous by its absence.

The New York Times

But wives have become conspicuous by their absence; the public no longer expects them to stand by their philanderers.

The New York Times

He has been assigned a security detail as the Democratic nominee, and they have quickly become conspicuous.

The New York Times

Suddenly, small-scale marijuana purchases and the like, mainly overlooked to spare an overburdened penal system, would become conspicuous.

The New Yorker

The detrimental impact of rising air pollution levels in urban landscapes has become conspicuous over the last decade, particularly in developing countries.

Journal of Theoretical Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Cold shoulders became conspicuous.

The New Yorker

It became conspicuous for the abundance of its coinage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In it, careful and frugal people became conspicuous, profligate consumers.

The Guardian - Opinion

The overlapping of the diffuse double layer becomes conspicuous in the micropore.

Electrochimica Acta

The risk-free network approach becomes conspicuous in "Normal, Ohio," which on paper may sound daring.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become conspicuous" when you want to emphasize the process of something becoming noticeable or attracting attention, especially after a period of being less so. It often implies a gradual change or shift in perception.

Common error

While "become conspicuous" is perfectly acceptable, be mindful of your audience. In casual writing, simpler alternatives like "become noticeable" or "stand out" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become conspicuous" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change in state. It describes the process of something transitioning from being unnoticed or less noticeable to being easily seen or attracting attention. Ludwig provides real-world examples to illustrate the use of the phrase in context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become conspicuous" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the process of something gaining notice or prominence. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most frequently found in news, science, and academic contexts. While it is not incorrect, in more informal situations, a simpler phrasing could be preferred. To ensure correct usage, be mindful of tense and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become noticeable

Replaces "conspicuous" with a more general synonym, focusing on the act of being noticed.

become apparent

Shifts the focus to something becoming clear or obvious.

become evident

Highlights the revealing of something previously unseen or unknown.

become prominent

Emphasizes gaining importance or standing out.

become marked

Indicates a distinct change or alteration that makes something stand out.

become pronounced

Suggests an increase in intensity or clarity, making something more easily perceived.

come into prominence

Focuses on the process of gaining recognition or importance.

rise to prominence

Implies an upward movement towards a more visible or influential position.

gain attention

Highlights the act of attracting notice or interest.

stand out

Conveys the idea of being easily noticeable due to distinctiveness or superiority.

FAQs

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

You can use "become conspicuous" to describe something that is increasingly attracting attention. For example, "The detrimental impact of rising air pollution levels in urban landscapes has "become conspicuous" over the last decade."

What are some alternatives to "become conspicuous"?

Some alternatives include "become noticeable", "become apparent", or "stand out". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "become conspicuous" or "became conspicuous"?

The choice between "become conspicuous" and "became conspicuous" depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "become" for present or future tenses and "became" for past tenses. For example, "The problem will "become conspicuous" if we don't address it now" versus "The problem "became conspicuous" after the investigation."

What's the difference between "become conspicuous" and "becoming conspicuous"?

"Become conspicuous" is the infinitive form, while "becoming conspicuous" is the present participle. "Becoming conspicuous" suggests an ongoing process. For example, "His talent is "becoming conspicuous" as he gains more experience."