becomes more deferential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becomes more deferential" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is increasingly respectful or submissive towards another person or authority. Example: "As the negotiations progressed, he becomes more deferential to the opinions of the senior executives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The addition becomes more deferential," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The big television networks have become more deferential to the ruling party, but South Korea's netizens have no plans to hand her a free pass.

The New York Times

It becomes more effortless".

The New York Times - Health

Handel becomes more interesting.

The New York Times

It becomes more consumable.

The New York Times

Technology becomes more dense.

Forbes

Even the civil service, satirised in the 1980s TV sitcom Yes Minister for exercising devious control by manipulative means, has become more compliant and deferential to ministerial demands.

The Guardian

As a result of the First and Second World Wars, the Government of Canada became more assertive and less deferential to British authority.

Wikipedia

The successes in New Jersey nearly deified Washington in the eyes of some Congressmen, and the body became much more deferential to him as a result.

Wikipedia

"Venture capitalists that serve on boards have gotten more and more deferential and, I would say, have become more cheerleaders than actors," he said.

The New Yorker

That formerly deferential relationship between bank and consumer is bound to become more adversarial.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becomes more deferential" to describe a gradual shift in attitude or behavior, particularly in hierarchical relationships or situations where respect for authority is emphasized. For instance, "As he gained experience, he became more deferential to his mentors' opinions".

Common error

Avoid using "becomes more deferential" in situations where assertiveness or direct communication is expected. Deference implies a degree of submission or respect for authority, which may be inappropriate in egalitarian or informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes more deferential" functions as a descriptor of a changing state, indicating an increase in the level of respect or submission displayed by an individual or entity. As noted by Ludwig AI, it reflects a transition towards greater deference.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "becomes more deferential" describes a process of increasing respect or submissiveness, often observed in hierarchical relationships or situations where authority is present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, particularly in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, consider the specific context to determine whether the increased deference is appropriate and what it implies about the relationship between the parties involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grows more respectful

Emphasizes a gradual increase in respect, changing the verb from "becomes" to "grows".

exhibits greater respect

Focuses on the outward demonstration of respect, using "exhibits" to indicate observable behavior.

displays increased deference

Similar to exhibiting respect, but focuses on the observed deference.

turns more submissive

Focuses on the submissive aspect of deference, suggesting a change in attitude.

demonstrates heightened regard

Highlights the increased level of consideration and respect shown.

adopts a more subservient role

Highlights a shift in role or position toward greater subservience.

starts showing deference

Highlights the initiation of deferential behavior, rather than an ongoing process.

becomes increasingly compliant

Emphasizes compliance as an aspect of deferential behavior.

inclines towards deference

Suggests a tendency or leaning towards being more deferential.

begins to yield more

Suggests a shift towards greater agreement and yielding to others' opinions or demands.

FAQs

How can I use "becomes more deferential" in a sentence?

You can use "becomes more deferential" to describe someone showing increasing respect or submission to authority. For example: "As the project progressed, the team became more deferential to the project manager's decisions."

What are some alternatives to "becomes more deferential"?

Alternatives include "grows more respectful", "turns more submissive", or "exhibits greater respect", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always positive to say someone "becomes more deferential"?

Not necessarily. While deference can be seen as respectful, it can also imply a lack of assertiveness or critical thinking. The context determines whether it's positive or negative.

What's the difference between "becomes more deferential" and "becomes more compliant"?

"Becomes more deferential" implies showing respect and yielding to someone's authority, while "becomes more compliant" suggests simply obeying rules or directives, regardless of respect. Compliance is about adherence; deference is about attitude.