countdown has become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "countdown has become" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a change in the significance or nature of a countdown, often in contexts related to events or projects. Example: "As the launch date approaches, the countdown has become a source of excitement for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The show that was once so innovative — in particular its real-time 24-hour countdown — has become creakily formulaic.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For Ms. Sadler, and many like her, each passing day has become an excruciating countdown of debts and deadlines.

The New York Times

Over her years as Countdown's resident number cruncher, Carol has become beloved of British audiences not only for her brains, but also for her frustratingly timeless good looks - still undiminished at 47 - and often racy wardrobe.

The Guardian

The waterfront has become a New Year countdown site in recent years after authorities brought in performances such as 3D light shows and fireworks.

Huffington Post

The countdown clocks have become something of a joke in television circles.

The New York Times

Even the famous "24" interstitial graphics — the multi-screen panels that juxtapose different plot strands under ominous countdown sounds — have become a much-borrowed cliché.

The New York Times - Arts

With stars including Paul O'Grady and, until recently, Richard and Judy, anchoring the afternoon sweet spot, Countdown - the first show broadcast on C4 - could have become a weak link.

The Guardian

But in recent years, the two have become friendly (Mr. Burns has appeared on the MSNBC show "Countdown With Keith Olbermann"), and Mr. Burns invited his old nemesis to be in "The Tenth Inning".

The New York Times - Arts

But 18 days later, after AIG had become a ward of the state, Moody's decided that it too would start the 30-day countdown on the ratings triggers of some other CDOs.

Huffington Post

The countdown has begun.

The New York Times

The countdown has started.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "countdown has become" to describe a shift in the perceived nature or emotional impact of a countdown, such as it transforming from a neutral process into a source of anxiety or excitement.

Common error

Avoid using "countdown has become" when you simply want to state that a countdown exists. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing a transformation in its nature or significance, not its mere presence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "countdown has become" functions as a descriptor indicating a transformation in the state or perception of a countdown. As demonstrated in Ludwig, it highlights a change in how the countdown is experienced or understood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "countdown has become" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe a transformation in the state or perception of a countdown. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's most effective when highlighting a change in the countdown's nature, such as evolving from a simple marker of time to a source of anxiety or excitement. While its overall usage is rare, you'll find it across a variety of sources, most prominently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the countdown evolved into

Substitutes "has become" with "evolved into", suggesting a gradual development.

the countdown transformed into

Replaces "has become" with "transformed into", emphasizing a more dramatic shift.

the countdown is turning into

Focuses on the ongoing process of the countdown's transformation.

the countdown is developing into

Implies a developing or unfolding transformation of the countdown.

the countdown assumed the role of

Indicates the countdown now has a new significance.

the countdown is now

Focuses on the present state of the countdown rather than its transformation.

the countdown now represents

Highlights the current representation or significance of the countdown.

the countdown is synonymous with

Indicates that countdown is now interchangeable with something else.

the countdown is now considered

Emphasizes a shift in perception regarding the countdown.

the countdown is increasingly

Underlines the growing intensity associated with the countdown.

FAQs

How can I use "countdown has become" in a sentence?

Use "countdown has become" to describe a shift in the perceived nature or emotional impact of a countdown. For example, "As the launch date approaches, the "countdown has become" a source of excitement for the entire team".

What are some alternatives to "countdown has become"?

You can use alternatives like "countdown has turned into", "countdown has evolved into", or "countdown is now", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "countdown has became" instead of "countdown has become"?

No, "countdown has became" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle of "become" is "become", so the correct phrase is "countdown has become".

What is the difference between "countdown has begun" and "countdown has become"?

"Countdown has begun" indicates the start of a countdown process. In contrast, "countdown has become" suggests that the countdown has transformed into something else, such as an obsession or a source of anxiety. For example, "The "countdown has begun" for the project launch", versus "The "countdown has become" a major source of stress for the team".