becomes deserted

USAGE SUMMARY

"becomes deserted" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a place that transitions from being occupied or populated to being empty or uninhabited. An example: "As the sun set, the once-bustling town square becomes deserted." Alternative expressions include "turns deserted" and "is left abandoned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As humans waste too much earth resources, the earth finally becomes deserted after 50,000 years due to depletion of resources.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Dunhuang became deserted and was gradually reclaimed by the desert.

The Guardian - Arts

Streets become deserted and restaurants empty just before 7 30 p.m. kickoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of the smallest towns and villages have become deserted as people moved to the bigger towns and cities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Part of the long thoroughfare is a snipers' alley for the regime where civilians had been shot before the area became deserted.

Independent

Sunbathers scrambled for cover following the attacks, and the town, which had been full of activity, quickly fell quiet and the streets became deserted.

The New York Times

Even in the 1950s, his fiction was dystopian; he envisaged future cities that became deserted after business hours, while everyone stayed indoors and watched TV.

The Guardian - Arts

Eastwood gave no sign of being tired, even though other tables in the room had become deserted and he, like others in the crew, had an early-morning call.

The New Yorker

The historian Lactantius, who lived from 240 to 320, tells us that the problem was a bloated welfare state: "The number of [welfare] recipients began to exceed the number of contributors [taxpayers] by so much that, with farmers' resources exhausted by the enormous size of the requisitions, fields became deserted and cultivated land was turned into forest".

Forbes

But, slowly, that changed people left to work abroad and the villages became deserted overnight.

Vice

So many buildings have become deserted and then torn down that great swaths of empty space remain.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becomes deserted" to effectively convey a transition from a state of occupation or activity to one of emptiness and abandonment. This phrase is suitable for both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "becomes deserted" in overly casual or informal situations where simpler alternatives like "empties out" or "clears" might be more appropriate. The phrase carries a degree of formality that doesn't always fit less serious scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes deserted" functions primarily as a descriptive verb phrase, indicating a transformation in the state of a place or location. It signifies a change from being occupied or populated to being empty or abandoned. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "becomes deserted" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes a place transitioning into a state of emptiness. While Ludwig AI confirms it's usability, it's important to consider the context. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While alternatives like "turns desolate" or "becomes abandoned" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "becomes deserted" judiciously, especially in more casual settings where simpler wording might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becomes abandoned

Replaces 'deserted' with 'abandoned', focusing on the act of being left behind.

turns desolate

Changes the verb to 'turns' and the adjective to 'desolate', emphasizing the bleakness.

is left empty

Uses a passive construction to highlight the resulting state of emptiness.

grows uninhabited

Focuses on the lack of inhabitants and the process of becoming so.

falls silent

Emphasizes the absence of noise and activity.

is forsaken

Highlights the sense of being abandoned or deserted, often with a negative connotation.

becomes evacuated

Focuses on the organized removal of people, often due to danger.

is vacated

Implies a more formal or official leaving of a place.

turns ghost town

Uses a more evocative phrase suggesting a place that was once bustling but is now empty.

becomes a wasteland

Emphasizes the desolation and barrenness of the place.

FAQs

How can I use "becomes deserted" in a sentence?

You can use "becomes deserted" to describe a place transitioning from being populated to being empty. For example: "The streets "become deserted" after midnight."

What can I say instead of "becomes deserted"?

You can use alternatives like "turns desolate", "becomes abandoned", or "is left empty" depending on the context.

Is "becomes deserted" formal or informal?

"Becomes deserted" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for news articles, academic papers, and general writing. Simpler alternatives might be better for very casual conversation.

What's the difference between "becomes deserted" and "becomes abandoned"?

While similar, "becomes deserted" implies a gradual emptying, while "becomes abandoned" suggests a more sudden or intentional leaving behind. Both phrases can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.