become elusive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become elusive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is becoming difficult to find, understand, or achieve. Example: "As the deadline approached, the solution to the problem began to become elusive, leaving the team feeling frustrated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Deep breaths become elusive.

The Guardian

For some, though, any semblance of security has become elusive.

The New York Times

Carmakers and other manufacturers will no longer extend credit (see article) and loans will become elusive and expensive.

The Economist

Marketing executives who respond positively to my initial inquiry become elusive when the c-word is mentioned.

The Guardian

In a world which growth has become elusive even for Asian "tigers," entrepreneurship has become a widely touted path to economic salvation.

The New York Times

We sacrifice the ability to debate problems and policies; peaceful solutions to a society's problems become elusive, making conflict more likely.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Data is also becoming ubiquitous just as privacy becomes elusive.

The New Yorker

But after he was discharged, in December, he became elusive.

The New Yorker

Victory in Iraq became elusive because the US military leadership failed to define the mission as a counterinsurgency.

The Guardian - Opinion

It also changes the larger world of the ballet, and perhaps helps explain why this woman (and on some mysterious level all the women) later becomes elusive.

The New York Times - Arts

"Where do we go when motive becomes elusive?" In a bar scene, Holden and his new mentor swiftly restate the theme over bottled beer.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become elusive" when describing a gradual process where something is increasingly difficult to find, understand, or achieve. It is more appropriate than simply stating something is elusive, which implies a constant state.

Common error

Avoid using "become elusive" to describe something that has always been difficult to find or understand. This phrase implies a change over time. Instead, use "is elusive" to describe a constant state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become elusive" functions as a verb phrase with an adjective, where "become" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the descriptive adjective "elusive". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become elusive" describes a transition into a state of being difficult to find, understand, or achieve, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. This phrase is grammatically sound and most frequently used in news and media contexts. When using "become elusive", it's crucial to ensure it accurately reflects a change over time rather than a constant condition. Alternatives like "grow unattainable" or "slip away" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Overall, understanding the dynamic nature of "become elusive" ensures its effective and appropriate use in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow unattainable

Replaces "elusive" with "unattainable", emphasizing the impossibility of reaching a goal.

turn unobtainable

Similar to "grow unattainable", this alternative highlights the transformation into something impossible to reach.

prove difficult to achieve

This alternative directly states the difficulty in achieving something, removing the metaphorical aspect of "elusive".

morph into something hard to grasp

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding or comprehending something as it changes.

become difficult to pin down

Focuses on the inability to define or specify something clearly.

evaporate from reach

Uses a metaphor of evaporation to describe something moving out of reach.

slip away

Implies a gradual loss or disappearance of something.

fade into obscurity

Suggests something becoming less noticeable or important over time.

vanish from sight

Emphasizes the complete disappearance of something.

descend into complexity

Implies that something is harder to comprehend due to more complex nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "become elusive" to describe a goal, concept, or even a person that is increasingly difficult to reach or understand. For instance: "As the investigation continued, the truth seemed to "become elusive"".

What is a synonym for "become elusive"?

Synonyms for "become elusive" include "grow unattainable", "prove difficult to achieve", or "slip away", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is becoming elusive"?

Yes, "is becoming elusive" is grammatically correct. It's a present continuous tense emphasizing the ongoing process of something "becoming elusive".

What's the difference between "become elusive" and "is elusive"?

"Become elusive" describes a change in state, indicating something that was once accessible or understandable is no longer so. "Is elusive" describes something that has always been difficult to grasp. The first implies a process, while the second implies a constant condition.