become funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become funny" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a change in something or someone that leads to humor or amusement over time. Example: "At first, the movie seemed serious, but as the plot unfolded, it began to become funny."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I also become funny.

The New York Times

The firings become funny.

The New Yorker

For starters, when did cancer become funny?

The New York Times

But now that we're all older, it's become funny again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You lose it, but eventually you finally become funny".

The New York Times - Arts

JAMES CLEVELAND When you release your assumptions, things just become funny, you know, magical.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

They may become funnier or more colorful or more meaningful because you've told them.

The New Yorker

The White House spokesman, Joe Lockhart, says it is Mr. Clinton, not his writers, who has become funnier.

The New York Times

With every passing year, the joke has become funnier and the fanbase more ardent.

The Guardian - Film

It operates on the premise that while you can't make someone funny who isn't funny, you can help someone who is funny become funnier.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet the net effect is absolutely hilarious – Hamburger's floundering, desperate attempts to entertain become funnier and funnier as they continually fail.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become funny" to describe a gradual transformation or shift in perception. For example, a situation that was initially serious might "become funny" over time as perspectives change or new information emerges.

Common error

Do not use "become funny" to describe something that is inherently funny from the start. Instead, use it to illustrate a change or evolution towards humor. For instance, it would be incorrect to say "The joke became funny"; rather, say "The situation became funny when he mispronounced the word".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become funny" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes a process or transition towards a state of being humorous. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable English form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become funny" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a transition to a humorous state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media and Academia, reflecting its versatility. The phrase's communicative purpose is to illustrate a shift in perception or circumstance that leads to amusement. While alternatives like "turn humorous" and "grow amusing" exist, "become funny" effectively conveys the process of something evolving into a source of humor. When writing, remember that it should describe a change, not an inherent quality, to avoid misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn humorous

Focuses on the change or transition towards being humorous.

grow amusing

Emphasizes a gradual development of amusement.

get comical

Highlights the attainment of a comical or ludicrous quality.

begin to amuse

Specifies the start of the process of causing amusement.

start being humorous

Explicitly indicates the commencement of being humorous.

develop humor

Stresses the cultivation of comedic elements.

transform into comedy

Indicates a full shift or conversion into something comedic.

evolve into funny

Suggests a natural or gradual transformation into a state of funniness.

take on a humorous aspect

Highlights adding humor as a facet or characteristic.

acquire comedic qualities

Focuses on gaining characteristics related to comedy.

FAQs

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

You can use "become funny" to describe a situation or person that evolves to be perceived as humorous. For example, "The awkward silence eventually "became funny" as we realized how absurd the situation was".

What phrases are similar to "become funny"?

Similar phrases include "turn humorous", "grow amusing", or "get comical", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "become funny", or should I use another phrase?

"Become funny" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, alternatives like "become humorous" or "turn funny" might be more appropriate depending on the context and desired level of formality.

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

"Become funny" describes a change over time, indicating something that was not initially humorous but later "became funny". "Is funny" describes something that is inherently or currently humorous.