become unsteady

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become unsteady" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone is losing stability or balance, either physically or metaphorically. Example: "As the storm approached, the boat began to become unsteady on the waves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

She will seem a familiar character to many readers here not because she was a historic figure, but because she has become unsteady, forgetful and diminished.

The New York Times

Then, in January this year, he noticed that several among the 30 that remained, mainly foals, had become unsteady on their feet.

The Guardian

Later, we ate lunch at one of the stalls and all seemed to be going well until we noticed that Vulcan had become unsteady on his feet and couldn't walk straight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In highly turbulent regions on the lee side, the flow may become unsteady too.

Geoscience Letters

For increasing equivalence ratios a higher nitrogen dilution is needed in the jet for the flame to become unsteady.

Combustion and Flame

This type of prop will not become unsteady if used under the regulated conditions under Chinese standard MT313-1992 and European standard EN 1804-2-2001, due to its high critical buckling load coefficient of 2.764.

Engineering Failure Analysis

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For highly shear-thickening fluids (n=1.8), the flow becomes unsteady at Re=40 and unsteadiness in the flow appears at Re=50 for all values of power-law index (n).

Chemical Engineering Science

When they shift their weight, the boat becomes unsteady.

The Guardian

Following the walk, Blue begun foaming at the mouth and became unsteady on his feet so his owner rushed the dog to the Pet Hospital in Bradford.

Independent

Strong local shock waves form on the wings and body; airflow around the craft becomes unsteady, and severe buffeting may result, with serious stability difficulties and loss of control over flight characteristics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During a Turrell show at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1980, several visitors to a piece called "City of Arhirit" became unsteady in the bright blue haze and tried to brace themselves against a wall made of light.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a gradual loss of stability, consider using "become increasingly unsteady" to emphasize the progressive nature of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "become unsteady" to describe abstract concepts that lack a physical basis. It's more appropriate for describing physical balance or stability. For example instead of saying "The economy become unsteady", consider "The economy became unstable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become unsteady" functions as a verb phrase, where "become" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "unsteady", describing a state or condition. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become unsteady" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that indicates a transition into a state of imbalance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, and while relatively infrequent, its meaning is clear and widely understood. When selecting alternative phrases, consider the specific context: "lose balance" works well for physical instability, while "become unstable" is more appropriate for abstract situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose balance

This alternative directly conveys the meaning of losing physical equilibrium.

become unstable

This is a more general term indicating a loss of stability in any context, not just physical.

start wobbling

This implies a side-to-side movement indicating a lack of balance.

grow shaky

This describes the gradual onset of unsteadiness, often due to weakness or fear.

become precarious

This highlights the risky nature of the instability, suggesting imminent danger.

begin to falter

Suggests a weakening or failing of stability, either physical or metaphorical.

develop instability

Implies the emergence or creation of an unstable state.

turn wobbly

Similar to "start wobbling" but can also be used metaphorically.

get rocky

Suggests an uneven or disturbed state, similar to a boat in rough waters.

prove unreliable

This describes a more metaphorical unsteadiness, referring to a lack of dependability.

FAQs

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

You can use "become unsteady" to describe a physical loss of balance, like "He "became unsteady" on his feet". It can also describe something becoming unstable in a more general sense.

What's a good alternative to "become unsteady"?

Alternatives include "lose balance", "become unstable", or "start wobbling", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "become unsteady" or "become unstable"?

While both are correct, "become unsteady" often implies a more physical loss of balance, while "become unstable" is more general and can apply to abstract concepts as well.

When is it appropriate to use "become unsteady" instead of a synonym?

"Become unsteady" is appropriate when describing a visible, physical wavering or loss of equilibrium. If you intend to describe the loss of abstract equilibrium you could use "become unstable" instead.