came to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came to be" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a phrase used to refer to the evolution of something. For example, "What started as a small, local shop eventually came to be a nationwide chain."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The total comes to 396, 141 votes short of Mr Bush's total.So Mr Gore's hopes rest on three other suits.

The Economist

The total comes to 396, 141 votes short of Mr Bush's margin.So Mr Gore's hopes rest on three other suits.

The Economist

Staff costs came to £6.8m in 2013, £25m the following year and £24.8m in 2015.

The Guardian - Business

He just came to 7/8 like it was 4/4, like a fish in water.

Huffington Post

Rent and bills come to ¤800 or ¤900.

The Guardian

Fifth Avenue bus-gloves come to 502 pairs & 58 singles in 1944.

The New Yorker

The pair's monthly costs come to £655, with £435 for the mortgage repayments on top of £220 rent.

The Guardian - Money

The Waldorf gloves came to 180 pairs, and 120 singles.

The New Yorker

So, in June 2013, my monthly wages came to 29 rubles [50p] – 29 rubles!

The Guardian - Books

Spending on official travel by air and rail came to £1,318,000 - up £238,000 or 22%, from the previous financial year.

The Guardian

The injury toll among the pickets came to 28, and 41 policemen were hurt, with two detained in hospital.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came to be" to describe how something developed or evolved over time. It's particularly effective when highlighting a process of change or transformation.

Common error

Avoid using "came to be" when describing instantaneous changes or events. The phrase implies a process, not a sudden occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came to be" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a process of development or transformation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general applicability.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came to be" is a versatile verbal phrase used to describe the development or transformation of something over time. While grammatically correct and generally applicable, it is best suited for contexts where you want to emphasize the process of change rather than just the final outcome. Ludwig AI indicates it follows standard grammar rules and is suitable for use in written English, with various synonyms available to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became

A simple and direct synonym indicating a change of state.

evolved into

This alternative directly implies a gradual development process.

developed into

This suggests a more structured and progressive formation.

transformed into

This highlights a significant change in form or appearance.

turned into

Similar to "became" but implies a more noticeable change.

emerged as

This emphasizes the act of something becoming visible or known.

materialized as

Suggests a more concrete or tangible formation.

arose as

Implies a spontaneous or natural emergence.

resulted in

Highlights the outcome or consequence of a process.

ended up as

This suggests a less planned or intentional outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "came to be" in a sentence?

Use "came to be" to describe the evolution or development of something over time. For example, "The modern computer "evolved from" simple calculating devices" or "What started as a small gathering "became" a large annual festival".

What can I say instead of "came to be"?

You can use alternatives like "evolved into", "developed into", or "transformed into" depending on the context.

Is "came to be" formal or informal?

"Came to be" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "came to be" and "became"?

"Became" is a more direct and simple way of saying something changed. "Came to be" implies a process or a series of events that led to the final state. For instance, "The project "became" successful" is a simple statement of fact, while "The project "came to be" successful after years of hard work" highlights the effort involved.