becomes somewhat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becomes somewhat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a gradual change or transformation to a certain degree or extent. Example: "As the project progressed, the team's approach becomes somewhat more collaborative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After more than a year though, it becomes somewhat unstable.

The Guardian - Travel

But then it becomes somewhat trampled on, and it makes me crazy".

The New York Times

The more successful the artist, the more the personal life becomes "somewhat dry and preoccupied".

The Guardian - Books

And this is where the huge and ever-growing enthusiasm for fake meat becomes somewhat tricky.

The Guardian

"If evil is somewhat more ineluctable, it also becomes somewhat more problematic," Mr. Morris observes.

The New York Times

After that, the movie becomes somewhat intellectually mushy and sentimental, though never less than visually impressive.

The Guardian - Film

Because "Mostly Martha" doesn't differentiate its lead characters' relationships, it becomes somewhat repetitive.

The New York Times

The app's one serious disadvantage is that it removes line breaks, so the poem becomes somewhat shapeless.

The New Yorker

Laying down the pathways later is much more difficult, as the brain ages and becomes somewhat less adaptable.

The New York Times

Stir in the pecans and boil six to eight minutes, until the mixture becomes somewhat thicker and darker.

The New York Times

Fried shrimp ($1.75 a skewer) is standard issue, while fried fluke ($1.75) becomes somewhat mushy with time.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becomes somewhat" to express a moderate change or development, avoiding stronger verbs when precision is needed. For example, "The situation becomes somewhat complex" is more accurate than "The situation explodes" if the complexity increases gradually.

Common error

Avoid using "becomes somewhat" when a more definitive change occurs. For instance, don't say "The metal becomes somewhat liquid" if it completely melts; instead, use "The metal becomes liquid."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes somewhat" functions as a qualifier indicating a partial or moderate transformation. It softens the impact of the verb "becomes", suggesting that the change is not complete or drastic. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "becomes somewhat" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a moderate or partial change. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase, suitable for various contexts ranging from news and media to scientific writing. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. While highly versatile, writers should remain aware of instances where "becomes somewhat" might either understate more decisive shifts or lead to redundancy if used with other intensifying adverbs. By recognizing its communicative function, register, and common usage patterns, writers can effectively use "becomes somewhat" to add nuance to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turns a bit

Replaces "becomes" with "turns" and "somewhat" with "a bit", indicating a slight change.

grows slightly

Uses "grows" instead of "becomes" to emphasize a gradual increase, and "slightly" for a small degree.

evolves marginally

Substitutes "becomes" with "evolves" suggesting a transformation, and "marginally" to denote a small extent.

transforms partially

Replaces "becomes" with "transforms" indicating a more significant change, but qualifies it with "partially".

changes a little

Uses "changes" for "becomes" and "a little" for "somewhat" offering a more informal tone.

is getting fairly

Employs a progressive tense and replaces "somewhat" with "fairly", implying an ongoing change.

becomes rather

Substitutes "somewhat" with "rather", providing a slightly more formal tone.

develops to some extent

Replaces "becomes somewhat" with a longer phrase that explicitly states a limited degree of development.

is increasingly

Uses "is increasingly" to indicate a continuous and gradual change, without specifying the exact degree.

tends to be slightly

Indicates a inclination towards a certain state, rather than a definite transformation.

FAQs

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

Use "becomes somewhat" to indicate a partial or gradual change. For example, "The task "becomes somewhat" easier with practice" shows a gradual improvement.

What are some alternatives to "becomes somewhat"?

You can use alternatives such as "grows slightly", "turns a bit", or "is getting fairly" depending on the context to convey a similar meaning of a moderate change.

Is it redundant to use "becomes somewhat increasingly"?

Yes, using "becomes somewhat increasingly" can be redundant. It's better to choose either "is increasingly" or "becomes somewhat" to avoid unnecessary repetition.

What's the difference between "becomes somewhat" and "becomes very"?

"Becomes somewhat" indicates a moderate change, while "becomes very" indicates a significant change. The choice depends on the degree of change you want to express.