become near

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become near" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of getting closer to something, either physically or metaphorically, but it is not standard. Example: "As the deadline approached, the project began to become near completion."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Whether or not the entire 515,000-strong Labour membership gets to vote, the practicalities have become near impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since making waves at last year's SXSW, Ho99o9's live performances have gone on to become near legendary.

The Guardian - Music

Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, has given warning that Gaza will become "near totally aid-dependent" unless commercial trade resumes.

The Economist

Jointly involved in the cinematic cause — which now argues for complete exoneration — Mr. Depp and Mr. Echols have become near look-alikes.

The New York Times

"Our nation's downtowns have become near ghost towns after Wal-Mart has moved in," Mr. Moore said before voting against the proposal.

The New York Times

From a state school background, getting to where I am now has been financially and emotionally challenging for me and my family; for those who come after me it will become near impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Now decline has become near-disaster.

The Economist

Nicknamed Chiclets, they have become near-ubiquitous in Hollywood.

The New York Times

Several have gone on to become near-celebrities here.

The New York Times

Coal has become near-synonymous with electricity because it is cheap and abundant.

The New York Times - Books

The technology already exists in some places without radar, but it would have to become near-universal in use.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become near", consider whether a more common phrase like "get close to" or "approach" would be clearer and more effective for your audience.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "become near" in formal writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. Vary your phrasing with more common alternatives like "approach" or "get closer to" to maintain a more engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become near" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a process of approaching a certain state or condition. It often suggests a transformation or progression towards something, as seen in Ludwig's examples where things "become near" impossible or universal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become near" is a grammatically acceptable but somewhat uncommon verb phrase used to describe the process of approaching a certain state or condition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's not the most natural-sounding phrase in contemporary English, and more common alternatives like "approach", "get close to", or "grow nearer to" often provide greater clarity. While it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, overuse can make writing sound stilted. Therefore, consider whether a more conventional phrasing would enhance communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become almost

Uses 'almost' to create emphasis on getting close to a state.

grow nearer to

Emphasizes a gradual process of approaching.

get close to

Uses a more common and informal phrasal verb to indicate nearing a state or place.

come close to

Similar to 'get close to' but may imply a slightly more intentional movement.

approach closely

Changes the verb and adverb to emphasize the act of approaching in proximity.

draw near to

A more formal way of saying 'approach' or 'get close to'.

verge on

Indicates approaching a state, often negative, implying being on the brink of something.

border on

Similar to 'verge on', suggesting something is close to becoming something else, often negative.

approximate

Uses a single verb to mean to be close or similar to something.

resemble closely

Focuses on a similarity that is becoming more apparent.

FAQs

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

The phrase "become near" is used to describe something that is approaching a state or condition. For example: "As the deadline approached, the project began to "become near" completion".

What can I say instead of "become near"?

You can use alternatives like "get close to", "approach", or "come near" depending on the specific context.

Is "become near" grammatically correct?

Yes, "become near" is grammatically correct, but it is not a very common or natural-sounding phrase in contemporary English. It's often better to use alternatives for clarity and style.

What's the difference between "become near" and "approach"?

"Approach" is a more direct and commonly used verb to indicate moving closer to something, while ""become near"" implies a gradual process of nearing a specific state or condition. "Approach" is often a better choice for clarity.