becomes unclean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becomes unclean" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing hygiene, purity, or moral cleanliness, often in relation to objects, environments, or concepts. Example: "After the spill, the kitchen becomes unclean and requires immediate attention to restore its hygiene."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Worse yet is any substance once it has left the body: it immediately becomes unclean.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The city, once known as the World's Playground, had become unclean and unsafe.

The New Yorker

Red heifer, Hebrew Para Adumma, in Jewish history, unblemished, never-before-yoked animal that was slaughtered and burned to restore ritual purity to those who had become unclean through contact with the dead (Numbers 19).

Encyclopedia Britannica

If a person became unclean or impure, that was not because of contact with exterior objects.

Huffington Post

Moreover, because the bottom of the stream is made of concrete, and therefore nearly incapable of performing any purification functions, it stands to reason in some sense that the water would become progressively unclean".

The Guardian

Your natural hair -- grown in wefts that reach for the sun -- can become untidy, unclean, unprofessional.

Huffington Post

In the so-called Imrana case, a Muslim woman raped by her father-in-law was ordered to leave her husband because she had become haram (unclean) for him.

Huffington Post

Increased asthma due to pollution, the extinction of animals as the waters become so unclean that no life can exist there, cracked earth from which no nourishment can be drawn...this is our reality.

Huffington Post

So when she is challenged by both Alex Laura Preponn) and Piper (Taylor Schilling) for trying to force her religious beliefs on others and keep those she deems unclean down, Pennsatucky becomes vengeful.

Huffington Post

If you do not listen to it, the unclean thoughts will become an obsession.

WikiHow

Suddenly it became a lot harder to label your friends "unclean" or "unworthy".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing hygiene or sanitation, use "becomes unclean" to clearly indicate a transition to an impure or contaminated state. For moral or spiritual contexts, consider alternatives like "becomes defiled" or "becomes tainted" for greater nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "becomes unclean" in everyday conversation where simpler terms like "gets dirty" or "becomes messy" are more appropriate. The phrase carries a formal or somewhat serious tone that may sound unnatural in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes unclean" functions as a predicate describing a state change. It indicates that something is transitioning into a condition of impurity or contamination. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts. The example in Ludwig shows its use describing a ritual object that is considered unclean.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "becomes unclean" is a grammatically correct predicate used to describe the transition of something into a state of impurity or contamination. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable. While its frequency is uncommon, it's primarily found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. When choosing to use this phrase, consider the context and desired level of formality, opting for simpler alternatives like "gets dirty" in casual settings. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turns impure

Emphasizes a shift from a pure state to an impure one.

gets contaminated

Focuses on the introduction of unwanted elements, leading to impurity.

becomes defiled

Implies moral or spiritual corruption, a deeper level of impurity.

is made impure

Highlights external action causing a change from a state of purity to impurity.

transitions to uncleanliness

Focuses on a journey to being not clean.

descends into impurity

Describes going from purity to impurity.

falls into a state of uncleanliness

Conveys a lapse from a state of cleanliness.

deteriorates to uncleanliness

Describes the process of something degrading to not being clean.

succumbs to contamination

Emphasizes the inability to prevent the contamination, resulting in uncleanness.

is rendered unhygienic

Stresses lack of hygiene, implying a health risk.

FAQs

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

You can use "becomes unclean" to describe a state change toward impurity or contamination. For instance, "The water "becomes unclean" due to industrial waste" or "The ritual object "becomes unclean" if touched by an outsider".

What is a more casual way to say "becomes unclean"?

In informal contexts, you can use phrases like "gets dirty", "becomes messy", or "gets contaminated" instead of "becomes unclean".

What's the difference between "becomes unclean" and "becomes contaminated"?

"Becomes unclean" is a more general term referring to any state of impurity, while "becomes contaminated" specifically refers to the introduction of unwanted or harmful substances.

Is "becomes unclean" appropriate for describing moral impurity?

While "becomes unclean" can be used in a moral or spiritual context, phrases like "becomes defiled" or "becomes corrupted" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.