could have become

USAGE SUMMARY

"could have become" is an appropriate phrase in written English that is used to express something that could have happened if it had been allowed to happen.
For example, "Without his injury, he could have become one of the best players in the league."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I could have become a dentist, even".

The New Yorker

He could have become an organisation man.

The Economist

It could have become a tad indigestible.

Independent

What could have become of him?

The New York Times

Boyle could have become depressed and faltered.

The Guardian - Arts

I could have become a Scientologist or something.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Pregnant at 14, she could have become lost.

The New York Times

Well, the women could have become huge traders.

The New York Times

"We could have become the Commander's Palace of Seattle.

The New York Times

Those needless pitches could have become critical pitches.

The New York Times - Sports

"But some memory of metabolic stress could have become heritable".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could have become" to express possibilities that were not realized. Ensure the context clearly indicates why the potential outcome did not occur.

Common error

Avoid using "could have become" when a simpler past tense would suffice. For instance, instead of "He could have become a doctor, but he didn't try hard enough", consider "He could have been a doctor if he had tried harder."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have become" functions as a modal verb construction expressing potentiality or possibility in the past that was not realized. It suggests a hypothetical outcome based on past circumstances. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could have become" is a versatile phrase used to express unrealized potential in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across numerous contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While alternatives like "might have transformed into" or "had the potential to be" exist, "could have become" offers a balance of formality and clarity, making it a strong choice for expressing hypothetical past outcomes. Be mindful of using it correctly in the past tense and avoiding confusion with similar phrases like "could be". Mastering this phrase can add depth and nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost turned into

Suggests that something nearly transformed, but didn't quite.

might have transformed into

Emphasizes a complete change in form or nature.

would have developed into

Highlights the hypothetical growth and maturation into something else.

may have evolved into

Highlights a gradual process of change over time.

nearly morphed into

Implies an almost complete, often unexpected, transformation.

had the potential to be

Focuses on the inherent possibility for a specific outcome.

was in the process of becoming

Emphasizes an ongoing state of change.

was on track to become

Suggests a likely progression toward a certain state before an interruption.

risked becoming

Indicates a situation where something almost transitioned into a negative state.

was destined to turn into

Implies a predetermined fate or inevitable change.

FAQs

How can I use "could have become" in a sentence?

Use "could have become" to describe a potential outcome that did not happen. For example, "She "could have become" a famous singer, but she chose a different career path."

What are some alternatives to "could have become"?

Alternatives include "might have transformed into", "may have evolved into", or "had the potential to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "could have become" and "could be"?

"Could have become" refers to a past possibility that did not occur, while "could be" refers to a present or future possibility. For example, "He "could have become" a lawyer" (but he didn't), versus "He "could be" a lawyer" (it's still possible).

Is it correct to say "would have became" instead of "could have become"?

No, "would have became" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""could have become"". "Would have become" implies a stronger degree of certainty or a conditional outcome.