becoming instrumental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becoming instrumental" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing someone or something that is playing a significant role in achieving a goal or outcome. For example, "Her contributions are becoming instrumental in the project's success." Alternative expressions include "playing a key role," "being pivotal," and "serving as a catalyst."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In this regard, physiologically relevant tumor models are becoming instrumental to perform studies of cancer cell invasion within well-controlled conditions.

Biomaterials

We highlight the important role of technological advances in non-destructive measurement methods at pore (X-ray tomography) and soil profile (seismic) scales that not only offer new insights into soil architecture and enable visualization of soil deformation, but are becoming instrumental in the development and validation of new soil compaction models.

Soil and Tillage Research

Since then, the foundation started accelerating and funding different local initiatives, bringing new players to the scene and becoming instrumental in Endeavor, Venture for America, LaunchCode, Emerge, IME, The Idea Center, The LAB and 500 Startups, among others, landing in the city.

TechCrunch

The security expert secretly recorded the happenings in his chapter of the Hells Angels, becoming instrumental in bringing down a massive drug operation.

Vice

During his first time in office, he moved closer to King Carol II, leading an ambivalent policy toward the fascist Iron Guard and ultimately becoming instrumental in establishing the authoritarian and corporatist regime around the National Renaissance Front.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I've seen that AI and machine learning are becoming more instrumental in the cybersecurity toolkit and, by default, to the cybercriminal.

Forbes

Are our close ties becoming shallower and more instrumental?

The New York Times - Magazine

Alexa volunteers at the Los Angeles LGBT center in her spare time, and is on her way to becoming a strong and instrumental voice for the transgender community.

Huffington Post

The results of multivariate analysis for becoming dependent for both instrumental and personal ADL at the six-month follow-up are presented in Tables  4 and 5. Preadmission variables identified by the logistic regression model as significantly correlated with becoming P-ADL-dependent were delirium, and erythrocyte transfusion (Table  4).

Critical Care

"He was very instrumental in my becoming a real competitor," Rankin said.

The New York Times

for 8 yrs, ran the war w/Iraq, closest advisor 2 Khomeini, instrumental 2 Khamenei becoming leader is disqualified!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair with the preposition "in" followed by a gerund or a noun phrase to specify the activity being influenced.

Common error

Do not use "becoming instrumental" if the subject has always been important. In such cases, "being instrumental" or "is instrumental" is more accurate. Reserve "becoming" for instances where there is a clear shift in significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming instrumental" functions as a complex verb phrase describing a process of transition. According to Ludwig AI, it combines the present participle of 'become' with an adjective that denotes utility or influence. It serves to bridge the subject with its growing impact on an external event or system.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "becoming instrumental" is a robust and sophisticated way to describe growing significance. Analysis from Ludwig AI reveals that it is most frequently employed in high-quality journalism and scientific research to denote a subject's transition into a vital role. Unlike static descriptors, it captures movement and development, making it an excellent choice for describing innovations, career growth, or policy shifts. Whether you are writing a research paper or a news article, this phrase provides a clear sense of progress and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

playing a key role

Focuses more on the active participation rather than the transition into importance.

being pivotal

Suggests a central turning point rather than a gradual process of becoming.

becoming essential

A slightly stronger alternative that suggests indispensability.

emerging as a vital factor

Highlights the visibility of the subject's new importance.

developing into a crucial element

Focuses on the evolution of the subject within a larger system.

serving as a catalyst

Implies the subject is accelerating a change or process.

acting as a driving force

Emphasizes the energy or momentum provided by the subject.

turning into a cornerstone

Uses a architectural metaphor to describe foundational importance.

proving to be fundamental

Focuses on the revelation of the subject's inherent value.

growing increasingly important

A more literal and slightly less formal description of the change.

FAQs

How do I use "becoming instrumental" in a sentence?

You can use it to show a shift in importance, such as: "Artificial intelligence is <a href="/s/becoming+instrumental" target="_blank" rel="alternative">becoming instrumental in modern healthcare diagnostics."

What is a more formal way to say "becoming instrumental"?

In very formal contexts, you might use "<a href="/s/evolving+into+a+pivotal+component" target="_blank" rel="alternative">evolving into a pivotal component" or "<a href="/s/emerging+as+a+vital+factor" target="_blank" rel="alternative">emerging as a vital factor".

Can I use "becoming instrumental" for people?

Yes, it is common to describe individuals this way, for example: "She is <a href="/s/playing+a+key+role" target="_blank" rel="alternative">playing a key role and <a href="/s/becoming+instrumental" target="_blank" rel="alternative">becoming instrumental in the team's success."

Is it "becoming instrumental to" or "becoming instrumental in"?

Both are used, but "in" is more frequent when followed by an action (e.g., "in achieving the goal"), while "to" is used for entities (e.g., "<a href="/s/crucial+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">crucial to the organization").