comes to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"comes to be" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to gradually become or change into something over time. Example: After years of hard work and perseverance, she finally comes to be a successful business owner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Snitching" comes to be seen as shameful.

The Economist

Home, imagined, comes to be".

The New Yorker

And yet this anti-identity comes to be Strand's identity.

The New Yorker

This department of the notes comes to be fun.

The New Yorker

The father comes to be near his son.

The New York Times

Any one of those charges, if it comes to be believed, is actually fatal.

The New Yorker

One even comes to be fond of a bad name, if the product itself is delightful.

The New Yorker

Locke's account of property and how it comes to be owned faces difficult problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She comes to be regarded as the power (shakti) of Shiva, without which Shiva is helpless.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is how the film experience comes to be what it is.

Independent

"And then she comes to be a cleaning woman," Ms. Testud continued.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comes to be" to indicate a gradual or natural process of change, rather than an immediate transformation. It is especially useful when describing long-term trends or evolving situations.

Common error

Avoid using "comes to be" in sentences where a simpler verb like "is" or "becomes" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes to be" functions as a linking verb, connecting a subject with a predicate nominative or adjective. It signifies a process of becoming, indicating a change or development over time. Ludwig's examples show its usage across diverse subjects, further underlining its linking role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comes to be" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a gradual process of change or development. As noted by Ludwig AI, it functions as a linking verb, connecting a subject to a new state. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias, and authoritative sources such as The New Yorker and The New York Times often employ it. When writing, remember that while versatile, "comes to be" shouldn't be overused when simpler alternatives suffice. Using related phrases such as "evolves into" or "transforms into" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolves into

Focuses on gradual development over time.

transforms into

Suggests a significant change in form or appearance.

develops into

Emphasizes the process of growth and maturation.

turns into

Implies a change, sometimes unexpected.

becomes

A more direct and simple synonym, lacking the nuance of gradual change.

grows to be

Highlights a natural or organic process of becoming.

matures into

Suggests a progression to a more complete or refined state.

shapes up to be

Indicates the formation of something based on current progress.

ends up as

Focuses on the final result of a process or situation.

materializes as

Implies something becoming real or visible.

FAQs

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

You can use "comes to be" to describe a gradual change or evolution, for example: "Over time, the small village "comes to be" a bustling city".

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

Alternatives include "becomes", "evolves into", or "transforms into" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "comes to be" formal or informal?

"Comes to be" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal writing, though simpler alternatives might be preferable in very informal contexts.

What is the difference between "comes to be" and "is"?

"Comes to be" implies a process of change over time, while "is" describes a current state. For example, "the project "is" complete" describes a finished project, while "the project "comes to be" complete" describes the project reaching completion over a period.