become unfamiliar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become unfamiliar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or object that is no longer recognized or known to someone over time. Example: "As I revisited my childhood home, I realized that many of the rooms had become unfamiliar to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

And so began the work of living a life that, in an instant, had become unfamiliar.

The New York Times

But he gave Jets fans what have become unfamiliar feelings: confidence and hope in the team's starting quarterback.

The New York Times - Sports

Even if he'd become unfamiliar — morose, silent, unable to read — he was familiar — his scent, body, posture, gestures, voice.

The New Yorker

For most of the time since 1997, the first interpretation has appeared to predominate.The strain of Conservatism that Mr Cameron embodies has thus become unfamiliar.

The Economist

Her speech in Birmingham on Monday was a signpost towards a kind of Toryism that has become unfamiliar in both the Thatcherite and the modernising eras.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Things that are familiar to you suddenly become unfamiliar to you," Mr. Hanf said, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"The familiar is either so closely cropped or presented in such a unique way that it becomes unfamiliar," Ms. Rhein said.

The New York Times

What happens when the familiar (the home, our children, our partners) becomes unfamiliar or invaded by outside forces (hauntings, home invasions, possessions, abductions, psychosis)?

Independent

He kept on working until the works became unfamiliar to him, as awkward in the world as he probably felt in his own skin.

The Guardian - Arts

"He recontextualizes those different elements and creates almost a kind of surreal experience of something that is perhaps very familiar but that becomes unfamiliar, or is discovered in a new way through his work of art," said Nicholas Baume, the director and chief curator of the Public Art Fund.

The New York Times - Arts

Such unfamiliarity can be created through older people travelling as tourists to new areas; as a consequence of urban regeneration; or as a result of cognitive decline, where the familiar becomes unfamiliar.

Geoforum

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become unfamiliar" when you want to emphasize the process of losing familiarity over time, rather than a sudden change.

Common error

Avoid using "become unfamiliar" when you simply mean something is unfamiliar. The phrase "become unfamiliar" implies a change over time; use "unfamiliar" for static descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become unfamiliar" functions as a verb phrase indicating a transformation in perception or recognition. It describes a process where something previously known or understood gradually loses its familiarity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become unfamiliar" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the process by which something known transforms into something unknown or unrecognizable. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, it's crucial to emphasize the element of change over time. Alternatives include "grow distant" or "become unrecognizable", each carrying subtly different nuances. Be aware that using "become unfamiliar" is incorrect if you mean something is already unfamiliar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become unrecognizable

Stresses the altered state where recognition is impossible.

turn strange

Highlights the change in perception to something unusual.

grow distant

Focuses on the emotional or relational aspect of losing familiarity.

fade from memory

Emphasizes the loss of recall or knowledge.

lose its meaning

Emphasizes the loss of significance or relevance.

elude understanding

Highlights difficulty to comprehend or grasp.

slip from consciousness

Focuses on the gradual disappearance from awareness.

grow estranged

Emphasizes a separation or alienation.

morph into obscurity

Highlights the transformation into an unnoticeable state.

retreat into vagueness

Emphasizes loss of clarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "become unfamiliar" to describe something that was once known or recognizable but has changed over time. For example: "The streets of my hometown had "become unfamiliar" after years of neglect."

What's a good substitute for "become unfamiliar"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "grow distant", "turn strange", or "become unrecognizable" as substitutes.

What is the difference between "become unfamiliar" and "is unfamiliar"?

"Become unfamiliar" implies a process of change, while "is unfamiliar" describes a state of being. Something can "become unfamiliar" over time, but it simply is unfamiliar if it was never known.

Is it correct to say "things become unfamiliar to me"?

Yes, that is a grammatically correct way to use the phrase. It emphasizes that the loss of familiarity is happening to the speaker. You could also say "things "become unfamiliar"" without the "to me" if the focus is on the things themselves.