become infected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become infected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing health, diseases, or infections, indicating the process of acquiring an infection. Example: "If you don't take the necessary precautions, you may become infected with the virus."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost 14,000 persons worldwide become infected with HIV each day, and 5 million become infected each year (17 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Some become infected and rupture.

The Washington Post

Anyone can become infected, but prolonged exposure is usually required.

The New York Times - Health

Once visited by victims, their mobile will become infected".

The Guardian - Tech

"The deer themselves don't become infected," he said.

The New York Times

As sprouts grow, they, too, become infected and die.

Columbia University

When birds eat round gobies, they become infected and die.

The New York Times - Science

That researcher did not become infected, however.

Science Magazine

Smear layer will become infected and it should be removed.

Evidence-Based Endodontics

A minor injury might become infected and prove fatal.

Huffington Post

However, people rarely become infected directly from aquatic birds.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing public health, use "become infected" to maintain a neutral and informative tone. Avoid sensational language that might cause unnecessary alarm.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "become infected" (acquisition of a pathogen) with "become affected" (experiencing an impact). "Become infected" refers specifically to contracting an illness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become infected" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of acquiring a disease or pathogen. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it's commonly used to describe how individuals, animals, or even systems acquire infections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become infected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the process of contracting a disease or pathogen. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely applicable and appears across various contexts, especially in scientific, news, and medical domains. While alternatives exist, "become infected" maintains a level of formality and precision that makes it suitable for professional and informative communication. Remembering to differentiate it from similar terms like "become contaminated" is essential for accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contract an infection

Emphasizes the act of acquiring or entering into a state of infection.

catch a disease

Focuses on the acquisition of a disease, often implying a contagious process.

acquire an illness

Highlights the gaining or obtaining of an illness.

be struck by a virus

Implies a sudden or forceful impact leading to infection by a virus.

develop an infection

Suggests a gradual process of an infection establishing itself.

fall ill with

Indicates the onset of illness due to a specific cause.

be afflicted with

Emphasizes suffering or being troubled by an illness.

succumb to infection

Suggests a yielding or giving in to an infectious agent.

get sick with

An informal way of saying someone has become ill due to something

be diagnosed with

Refers to the formal identification of a disease or condition by a medical professional.

FAQs

What does it mean to "become infected"?

To "become infected" means to contract a disease or pathogen, such as a virus, bacteria, or parasite. It indicates the process of acquiring an infection.

What can I say instead of "become infected"?

You can use alternatives like "contract an infection", "catch a disease", or "acquire an illness" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "became infected" or "got infected"?

"Became infected" is generally considered more formal and precise than "got infected". Both are acceptable, but "became infected" is often preferred in medical or scientific contexts. The best option depends on the tone of the writing.

How does "become infected" differ from "become contaminated"?

"Become infected" specifically refers to the invasion and multiplication of pathogens within a living organism. "Become contaminated" refers to the presence of unwanted substances (like chemicals or pollutants) on a surface or in a substance, not necessarily involving a biological process.