become unreal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become unreal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or concept that is losing its reality or becoming more abstract or imaginary. Example: "As the story progressed, the characters began to feel as if their lives were starting to become unreal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

They become unreal.

The New York Times

Must reality become unreal?

The New Yorker

The men threaten to become unreal.

The New Yorker

"She has become unreal, a fantasy of herself.

The New Yorker

"Once you are Real you can't become unreal again.

The New York Times

In "Going Ashore," a woman on a long journey observes: "Today I was in Africa… But Africa had become unreal".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

We can't imagine a person a million times worse than a cold-blooded axe murderer, so the whole thing becomes unreal.

The Guardian - Books

The effect on the children of a generation of people whose bricks and mortar, such a treasured thing, became a source of astonishing stress, they became unreal to them, and the money became super-real.

The Guardian - Books

My real world becomes unreal, the imagined world too real… The only other thing I have to do professionally is go on the road, which forces me to become a centre of attention.

The Guardian

Now, even as PBS prepares to broadcast episode No. 6 on Sunday and No. 7 on Monday, he is thinking that there should be a No. 8. "About 10 days ago, I heard somebody say there was such a media overload that it becomes unreal," Mr. Burns said.

The New York Times

Intriguingly, as sound grew more naturalistic, the visual element was allowed to become more unreal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become unreal" to describe situations where perception or reality is distorted, such as in dreams, memories, or altered states of consciousness.

Common error

Avoid using "become unreal" when simply expressing disbelief. The phrase implies a tangible shift in reality, not just a lack of acceptance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become unreal" primarily functions as a verb phrase complemented by an adjective, describing a process of transformation from a state of reality to one of unreality. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in contexts where perception is altered or reality is distorted, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become unreal" is a grammatically sound and contextually versatile expression used to describe a shift from reality to a more abstract or illusory state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in reputable news sources, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. When using "become unreal", it's important to ensure that the context involves an actual transformation of reality or perception, rather than simple disbelief. Alternatives such as "turn into a dream" or "transform into fantasy" can be used depending on the nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn into a dream

Focuses on the transformation into a dreamlike state, emphasizing the loss of reality.

morph into unreality

Implies a transformation into a state of being not real.

transform into fantasy

Highlights the change into a fantastical or imaginary state.

grow detached from reality

Emphasizes the increasing separation from the real world.

slip into make-believe

Focuses on entering a world of imagination and pretense.

fade into obscurity

Implies a gradual disappearance from reality, becoming less noticeable.

devolve into abstraction

Emphasizes the movement towards a more abstract, less concrete state.

descend into illusion

Focuses on the movement towards a state of illusion or deception.

dissolve into nothingness

Suggests a complete vanishing from existence, becoming unreal by ceasing to be.

evaporate from existence

Suggests a disappearance as if vanishing into thin air.

FAQs

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

You can use "become unreal" to describe situations where reality seems distorted or dreamlike. For example: "As the medication took effect, the world began to "become unreal"."

What's the difference between "become unreal" and "seem unreal"?

"Become unreal" implies an actual change in the state of reality or perception, while "seem unreal" suggests only an appearance of unreality. The first indicates a transformation, the second, a subjective feeling.

What can I say instead of "become unreal"?

You can use alternatives like "turn into a dream", "transform into fantasy", or "grow detached from reality" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "became more unreal"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Became more unreal" is used to describe a gradual increase in the state of unreality.