become indistinct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become indistinct" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is losing clarity or becoming less defined over time. Example: "As the sun set, the outlines of the mountains began to become indistinct against the darkening sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Many stones had surfaces thickened with lichen and decay, where inscriptions had become indistinct.

The New Yorker

In the low light, red campions are luminous on a wall around a mine shaft, and bluebells among the granite boulders become indistinct pools of mist.

The Guardian

No wonder the couple soon blurs to become indistinct, generic New Parents; they're the manufactured products of creative artificial insemination, not the fully imagined offspring of a writer's passion.

The New York Times

On his many visits to the island, he had been fascinated by its haunted landscape and mysterious light especially the slow transition from day into night, an extended period when forms are still visible but their shapes become indistinct.

The New Yorker

The boundaries between a subgroup of secondary headaches and the primary headaches seem to become indistinct and studying secondary headaches might even be informative for the understanding of primary headaches.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

However these lyre-shaped markings become indistinct as the slugs grow larger.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Figures became indistinct and hazy, while backgrounds receded into almost total abstraction.

The Guardian - Arts

After a mile or more, the path became indistinct and the river forked at the Fofanny Glen.

The Guardian - Travel

Shapes became indistinct, or she fell back onto old ones, like the soupy sun top and briefs.

The New York Times

The dislocation density and other defects in the ε-Cu particles also increased and the particle/matrix interfaces were serrated or became indistinct as deformation progressed.

Acta Materialia

The vascular strand of Horneophyton becomes indistinct as it approaches the base of the plant and disappears altogether in the corm-like structure.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become indistinct" when describing a gradual loss of definition or clarity over time, such as the fading of a memory or the blurring of an image.

Common error

While "become indistinct" is acceptable, consider stronger, more precise verbs like "blur", "fade", or "dissolve" in formal or scientific writing to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become indistinct" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of losing clarity or definition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become indistinct" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase that describes the process of losing clarity or definition. Ludwig AI indicates that it is appropriate for general use. While not extremely frequent, it appears across varied contexts, including science, news media and wikis. For more formal or precise writing, alternatives such as "fade", "blur", or "dissolve" may be considered. The phrase carries a neutral tone and accurately conveys the idea of something losing its distinctness over time or due to specific conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose definition

Focuses on the vanishing of clear outlines or boundaries.

blur

Emphasizes a loss of sharp focus, becoming hazy.

fade away

Highlights a gradual disappearance or weakening of visibility.

grow vague

Stresses increasing lack of clarity or precision.

dissolve

Implies a complete disappearance or disintegration.

lose clarity

Directly addresses the reduction in clearness.

grow imperceptible

Suggests a gradual fading to the point of being undetectable.

become blurred

Highlights the state of being unfocused or unclear.

be obscured

Focuses on being hidden or masked from view.

diminish in visibility

Emphasizes the reduction of visual prominence.

FAQs

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

You can use "become indistinct" to describe something losing clarity: "As the fog rolled in, the buildings on the shore began to "become indistinct"."

What are some alternatives to "become indistinct"?

Alternatives include "fade away", "blur", or "lose definition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "become indistinct" formal or informal?

"Become indistinct" is appropriate for a range of contexts but can be replaced by more precise terms like "grow vague" or "be obscured" in formal writing.

What does it mean when something "becomes indistinct"?

When something "becomes indistinct", it means it is losing its clear form or definition, making it harder to perceive or understand. It's gradually fading, blurring or disappearing.