become unmanageable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become unmanageable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that has escalated to a point where it is difficult to control or handle. Example: "The project started off well, but as more issues arose, it began to become unmanageable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My life had become unmanageable.

The Guardian - Books

But these loans eventually become unmanageable.

The New York Times

The bureau contends that their numbers have become unmanageable.

The New York Times

To make matters worse, some nations have become unmanageable.

The New York Times

"They feel that the system has become unmanageable.

The Economist

But 10 years later the reality has become unmanageable.

The New York Times

In a sense the Coalition has become unmanageable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Workloads across the board have now become unmanageable.

The Guardian

Although his skillful fiscal measures saw France through the war, the public debt had become unmanageable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"My life had become unmanageable," Mr. Armstrong said of his drug addiction.

The New York Times

Without growth, the public debt of countries like Greece, Ireland and Portugal will eventually become unmanageable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become unmanageable", ensure the context clearly indicates what is becoming unmanageable and why. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "become unmanageable" without clearly specifying what is becoming unmanageable. For example, instead of saying "Things became unmanageable", specify "The project's scope became unmanageable due to unforeseen changes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become unmanageable" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes a state of being where something has escalated beyond the capacity to be controlled or managed effectively. Ludwig's AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become unmanageable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe situations or entities that have exceeded manageable limits. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its prevalence across diverse domains like News & Media and Science. To ensure clarity, specify what exactly has "become unmanageable". Consider alternatives like "get out of hand" or "spiral out of control" based on the context to provide nuance. Use the best practices to elevate the quality of your writing and to avoid common writing errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become uncontrollable

Highlights the inability to restrain or regulate something effectively.

get out of hand

Emphasizes a loss of control, often implying a disruptive or chaotic situation.

become impossible to deal with

Focuses on the extreme difficulty and impracticality of managing the situation.

spiral out of control

Suggests a rapid and accelerating decline into a state of being unmanageable.

grow beyond control

Focuses on the increasing size or scope of something that makes it difficult to manage.

surpass one's capabilities

Emphasizes that the situation exceeds the skills and resources one has available.

exceed capacity

Highlights that limits have been surpassed, leading to an unmanageable situation.

prove too difficult to handle

Indicates the level of difficulty has increased, exceeding ability to manage.

get beyond one's depth

Indicates one is no longer able to comprehend or manage a situation effectively.

reach a critical point

Suggests a turning point where the situation has become so severe that it is difficult to reverse.

FAQs

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

You can use "become unmanageable" to describe situations that are escalating beyond control. For example, "The workload has "become unmanageable" since the team was reduced in size".

What's the difference between "become unmanageable" and "get out of hand"?

"Get out of hand" often implies a more chaotic and disruptive situation, while "become unmanageable" suggests a loss of control due to increasing complexity or size.

What can I say instead of "become unmanageable"?

Alternatives include "spiral out of control", "grow beyond control", or "exceed capacity", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "has become unmanageable" or "became unmanageable"?

Both are correct, but "has become unmanageable" implies a situation that recently reached an unmanageable state, while "became unmanageable" refers to a past point in time when it happened. For example, "The debt has "become unmanageable"" (recently), vs. "The debt became unmanageable in 2008" (past).