become regular

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become regular" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to something that has become frequent and dependable, such as: "He's been working out twice a week for the last few months, and his workouts have become regular."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

So elections had naturally become regular events.

The New Yorker

Of these, only some will become regular users.

The Guardian

Several commenters have even become regular email friends.

The Guardian - Opinion

Workers came out of self-employment and the shadow economy to become regular employees.

The Economist

A Nutritious Spread A great birdseed smorgasbord will encourage birds to become regular visitors.

The New York Times - Travel

Along with relief organizations and Iraqis working with Washington, American soldiers have become regular targets.

The New York Times

They couldn't tell the difference, and now they have become regular customers.

The Guardian

The sponsors of both contests say they hope they become regular events.

The New York Times

Since leaving home at 18, my occasional habit has become regular practice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rock's grown boys don't want to become regular men but can't imagine how else to thrive.

The New York Times - Arts

Meanwhile, actions in the name of human rights have become regular occurrences.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become regular" when describing the transition of something into a consistent, predictable, or habitual state. For example, "Attending the weekly meetings has "become regular" for the team."

Common error

Avoid using "become regular" when you mean simply "be regular". "Be regular" implies a pre-existing state, while "become regular" emphasizes the process of reaching that state. For example, do not say "It's important to "become regular" with your dentist appointments" when you simply mean "It's important to be regular with your dentist appointments."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become regular" functions as a verb phrase indicating a transformation into a state of consistency or habit. Ludwig examples show it describes events, practices, or occurrences that transition into being predictable or routine.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become regular" effectively conveys a transition into a state of consistency or habit. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. With numerous examples found in reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its frequency is classified as very common. While versatile, it's important not to confuse it with similar phrases like "be regular", which describes an existing state rather than a process. Alternative phrases such as "become routine" and "become established" offer nuanced variations for more precise communication. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and potential for misuse, writers can confidently and accurately incorporate "become regular" into their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become routine

Focuses on the establishment of a predictable sequence or pattern.

become habitual

Emphasizes the development of a habit, often unconscious or automatic.

become established

Highlights the process of being firmly settled or recognized.

become commonplace

Indicates widespread acceptance and ordinariness.

become standard

Suggests conformity to a norm or requirement.

become customary

Implies adherence to long-standing practices or traditions.

become fixed

Suggests a permanent or unchangeable state.

develop into a habit

Specifically focuses on the process of habit formation.

fall into a pattern

Highlights the process of adopting a recurrent sequence of actions or events.

turn into a common occurrence

Emphasizes the shift towards increased frequency and visibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "become regular" to describe something that has transitioned into a frequent or habitual occurrence. For example: "The band's weekly gigs at the local pub "become regular" events."

What are some alternatives to using "become regular"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "become routine", "become habitual", or "become established".

Is it correct to say "became regularly" instead of "become regular"?

While "regularly" describes frequency, "become regular" describes the process of becoming frequent. "Became regularly" is not a standard construction; instead, rephrase the sentence to use "become regular" or a synonym like "become routine".

What's the difference between "become regular" and "be regular"?

"Become regular" refers to the process of something transitioning to a state of frequency or habit, while "be regular" describes an existing state of consistency. For example, "The visits "become regular" after the initial consultation" (process), versus "The payments are "be regular" (existing state).