become of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'become of' is not correct and is not used in modern, written English.
If you are looking for a phrase to use in its place, you could use "what happened to". For example: I haven't heard from my friend in weeks; I wonder what happened to her.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What's become of Browning?

Independent

What has become of it?

The New Yorker

What will become of me?

The New Yorker

What had become of them?

The New Yorker

WHAT has become of WiMax?

The Economist

What would become of Aggie?

The New Yorker

What will become of the Johanneum?

The Economist

What has become of the vision?

The New York Times

What had become of the city?

The New York Times

What's to Become of Hewlett-Packard?

The New York Times

What will become of North Korea?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "become of" appears in published texts, it's generally considered archaic. Opt for phrases like "what happened to" for contemporary writing.

Common error

Avoid using "become of" in formal writing or modern contexts. It can sound stilted or out of place; use more current alternatives for better clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become of" functions as a prepositional phrase typically used in questions to inquire about the fate or state of someone or something. It is, however, considered archaic. As Ludwig AI indicates, more modern alternatives are recommended.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become of" is used to inquire about the fate or state of someone or something, but Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect in modern English. While examples exist in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist, it's generally considered archaic. For contemporary writing, it's advisable to use alternatives like "what happened to" or "what became of". This ensures clarity and avoids sounding stilted in modern contexts. While present in various media, most prominently in "News & Media", it's infrequent use suggests a shift towards alternative phrasings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What happened to

Focuses on the events that transpired concerning the subject, rather than its eventual state.

What became of

Very similar but emphasizes the resulting state, or where something or someone ended up.

What's the status of

Inquires about the current situation or condition of something or someone.

What's the fate of

Specifically questions the destiny or future outcome of the subject.

Where is now

Asks about the current location or whereabouts.

What's the story with

Seeks a narrative or explanation about the subject's situation.

What's up with

An informal way to inquire about the current state or problem concerning the subject.

How is now

More directly asks about the current well-being or condition.

What are the prospects for

Focuses on the future possibilities and potential outcomes for the subject.

How does it stand

Concerns the current position or standing in relation to a situation or challenge.

FAQs

What does "become of" mean?

The phrase "become of" refers to what happens to someone or something. It's often used to ask about the fate or outcome of a person, place, or thing, though it is considered archaic in modern English.

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

While the examples show instances of use, it's better to avoid the phrase "become of" in modern English. Consider using "what happened to" or "what became of" instead.

What can I say instead of "become of"?

You can use alternatives like "what happened to", "what is the status of", or "what is the fate of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "what happened to" or "what will become of"?

While both phrases are grammatically sound, "what happened to" is a more direct and modern way of asking about someone or something's circumstances. "What will become of" can imply greater uncertainty or concern about the future.