become deserted

USAGE SUMMARY

"become deserted" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a place that has become uninhabited or abandoned over time. For example, "The once-bustling town has now become deserted." Alternative expressions include "become abandoned" and "become uninhabited."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Streets become deserted and restaurants empty just before 7 30 p.m. kickoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of the smallest towns and villages have become deserted as people moved to the bigger towns and cities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Eastwood gave no sign of being tired, even though other tables in the room had become deserted and he, like others in the crew, had an early-morning call.

The New Yorker

The race on Sunday is the culminating moment of these race weekends, and by the time it is over, the paddock, in the space of a couple of hours, has already become deserted of all but the truck drivers, mechanics and others who put the road show together and take it apart.

The New York Times

So many buildings have become deserted and then torn down that great swaths of empty space remain.

Huffington Post

By the end of 1988, dozens of villages in Armenia had become deserted, as most of Armenia's more than 200,000 Azerbaijanis and Muslim Kurds left.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Dunhuang became deserted and was gradually reclaimed by the desert.

The Guardian - Arts

Part of the long thoroughfare is a snipers' alley for the regime where civilians had been shot before the area became deserted.

Independent

Sunbathers scrambled for cover following the attacks, and the town, which had been full of activity, quickly fell quiet and the streets became deserted.

The New York Times

Even in the 1950s, his fiction was dystopian; he envisaged future cities that became deserted after business hours, while everyone stayed indoors and watched TV.

The Guardian - Arts

As humans waste too much earth resources, the earth finally becomes deserted after 50,000 years due to depletion of resources.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become deserted", ensure the subject is a place or entity that can logically be inhabited or used. For instance, "The town became deserted" is appropriate, whereas "The idea became deserted" would be less conventional.

Common error

Avoid using "become deserted" with abstract or non-physical subjects. Saying something like "The project became deserted" is less precise than "The project was abandoned" or "The project was neglected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become deserted" functions as a stative verb phrase, describing a change of state to being abandoned or empty. As shown by Ludwig, it is used to indicate that something previously occupied or inhabited is now empty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become deserted" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of a place becoming empty or abandoned. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's applicable in a range of contexts, particularly in news and media, though less so in formal academic writing. While there are no grammatical concerns, it's best suited for concrete subjects rather than abstract concepts. Consider using alternatives like "become abandoned" or "fall into disuse" for subtle differences in meaning. The phrase enjoys a neutral register, making it versatile for diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become abandoned

This phrase focuses on the act of being left behind, emphasizing the lack of care or maintenance.

become uninhabited

This alternative highlights the absence of residents or inhabitants.

become forsaken

This phrase adds a stronger emotional tone, suggesting a sense of being forgotten or neglected.

become evacuated

This term specifies a situation where people have been removed, often due to danger or necessity.

fall into disuse

This phrase emphasizes the gradual decline and lack of use over time.

become depopulated

This term highlights a reduction in population, leading to an empty or sparsely inhabited state.

grow desolate

This phrase describes the gradual process of becoming bleak and empty, with a sense of sadness.

be reduced to a ghost town

This idiom vividly portrays a place that was once thriving but is now empty and lifeless.

turn empty

This is a simpler, more direct way of saying something has become vacant.

become isolated

This alternative emphasizes the lack of connection and separation from others.

FAQs

What does "become deserted" mean?

The phrase "become deserted" means that a place, such as a town or building, has been abandoned and is now empty of people.

What can I say instead of "become deserted"?

You can use alternatives like "become abandoned", "become uninhabited", or "fall into disuse depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "became deserted"?

Yes, "became deserted" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct. For example, "The village became deserted after the factory closed."

How is "become deserted" different from "become desolate"?

"Become deserted" primarily refers to the absence of people. "Become desolate" implies a state of bleakness, emptiness, and often sadness or ruin, which can be due to various reasons beyond just the absence of people.