become cut off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become cut off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is separated or disconnected from a source or group. Example: "During the storm, the town became cut off from the rest of the region due to fallen trees blocking the roads."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Eventually, small groups would become cut off and genetically isolated, making their survival untenable.

The Guardian

Northern Ireland has not suddenly become cut off from the rest of the United Kingdom.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Met Office is warning some communities could become cut off and power cuts are a strong possibility.

The Times

Social exclusion — the realization you have become cut off from either your circle of acquaintances, or the wider society — can be a source of intense discomfort.

University of California, Berkeley

"They become more socially isolated, withdraw more and more into their own world and become cut off and lonely," she says.

Independent

During the four-month rainy season, villages just 20km or 30km apart can become cut off from trading with each other.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

In a sense, we lost father and mother, because we became cut off from close contact with our mother.

The New York Times

But at the same time both stairwells became cut off by fire and we headed towards the exit.

The Guardian - Sport

I think that, like her husband, she became cut off, she forgot what she saw in her field work among the people of Egypt".

The New Yorker

It emerged from the slave experience of Africans in the Americas as they became cut off from the teachers of orthodoxy in Africa and the communities that enforced the orthodoxy.

The New York Times

A key fact from this book: the "ratio of plastic to real flamingos in the United States is 700 to 1". "The Big Oyster," by Mark Kurlansky, is a short, brilliant book about the decline of oysters in New York City's waterways and, more broadly, about how the city increasingly fouled up, and became cut off from, the natural world surrounding it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become cut off" when you want to emphasize a state of separation or isolation, whether physical, social, or emotional. For example, during a natural disaster, a town might "become cut off" from outside assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "become cut off" when a simple disconnection or temporary interruption is meant. For instance, instead of saying a phone "become cut off" during a brief signal loss, use "disconnected" or "dropped the call".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become cut off" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of separation or isolation. It describes the process of something or someone being disconnected from a source, group, or communication line. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from physical isolation due to weather to social or emotional disconnection.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become cut off" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a state of separation or isolation. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. The phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, according to Ludwig's analysis. While alternatives like "become isolated" or "become disconnected" exist, "become cut off" carries a specific connotation of a severed connection, whether physical, social, or emotional. Understanding the nuances of this phrase allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become isolated

Focuses on the state of being alone or separated from others, emphasizing a lack of connection.

become disconnected

Highlights the disruption of a link or relationship, often implying a technological or emotional detachment.

become separated

Implies a physical or abstract division, emphasizing the act of being moved apart.

become detached

Suggests a lack of emotional involvement or a removal from a previous connection.

become sequestered

Emphasizes a state of being secluded or isolated, often for a specific purpose or reason.

become marooned

Implies being stranded or isolated in a remote or inaccessible location.

become alienated

Focuses on the feeling of estrangement or distance from a group or society.

become segregated

Highlights the separation or division of groups, often based on social or cultural factors.

become inaccessible

Emphasizes the lack of ability to reach or access something or someone.

become unreachable

Highlights the inability to communicate with or contact someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "become cut off" in a sentence?

You can use "become cut off" to describe a situation where someone or something is separated or disconnected from a source or group. For example, "The village "became cut off" after the heavy snowfall".

What are some alternatives to "become cut off"?

Alternatives include "become isolated", "become disconnected", or "become separated", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "become isolated" and "become cut off"?

"Become isolated" generally refers to a state of being alone or separated, while "become cut off" implies a severing of a connection or supply line. Both phrases indicate a form of separation, but the emphasis differs.

When is it appropriate to use "become cut off" rather than a simpler term like "disconnected"?

Use "become cut off" when the separation is significant or has serious consequences. "Disconnected" implies a temporary or minor interruption, whereas "become cut off" suggests a more profound and potentially lasting state of isolation.