exactly become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly become" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a precise transformation or change, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "I want to know how I can exactly become the person I aspire to be."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

For a restaurant that has held on to most of the trappings of conventional fine dining — in becoming less fussy, it hasn't exactly become casual — it charges restrained prices.

The New York Times - Food

She didn't exactly become kinder and gentler.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite the reorganization, Mr. Soros has not exactly become mild mannered.

The New York Times

Although wildly popular with the several thousand spectators that attended its premiere, "Athalia" has not exactly become standard repertory fare.

The New York Times

The batters in both leagues were reined in a bit after 1930, but the game didn't exactly become dull.

The New Yorker

He did a final musical, "Mr. President," in 1962, but none of its songs — among them "Pigtails and Freckles" and "It Gets Lonely in the White House" — have exactly become classics.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Exactly" – becomes the talk of school playgrounds nationwide.

The Guardian - Sport

There remains one prevailing mystery regarding this particular opossum: what exactly became of it?

The New York Times

It can lead, deciding what exactly becomes the characteristic trait worthy of lampooning.

The New York Times - Arts

Thus, the left-hand side of (27) exactly becomes the length ratio as defined in (12).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

"But what we don't really know is what exactly became of the fortifications, what state they are in and what is left of the cultural resources.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "exactly become" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "precisely become" or "truly become" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is to use adverbs like "exactly" directly before "become" to modify the verb. While intending to add emphasis, it often results in an awkward or incorrect phrasing. Instead, consider restructuring the sentence to use adjectives or different adverbs that fit the context more appropriately. For instance, instead of saying "He exactly became what he feared", consider something like "He became precisely what he feared" or "He became the exact thing he feared."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly become" functions as a verb phrase, attempting to modify the verb "become" with the adverb "exactly". However, according to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically incorrect, as "exactly" does not typically modify "become" in standard English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly become" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and is rarely used in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is incorrect. While the intention is often to emphasize the precise nature of a change, this is not effectively conveyed by this phrasing. Alternative phrases such as "precisely become", "truly become", or rephrasing the sentence to emphasize the result are recommended for clearer and more accurate communication. Due to its incorrectness, it's best to avoid "exactly become" in formal writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely become

Replaces "exactly" with "precisely" for a more grammatically sound and similar meaning indicating accuracy in transformation.

truly become

Replaces "exactly" with "truly" to emphasize the genuineness of the transformation.

actually become

Substitutes "exactly" with "actually" to indicate a real or factual change.

definitely become

Replaces "exactly" with "definitely" to express certainty about the transformation.

certainly become

Substitutes "exactly" with "certainly" to convey a sense of assurance in the change.

specifically become

Replaces "exactly" with "specifically" to emphasize the target or result of the transformation.

entirely become

Substitutes "exactly" with "entirely" to highlight the completeness of the transformation.

completely become

Replaces "exactly" with "completely" to emphasize the total nature of the transformation.

fully become

Substitutes "exactly" with "fully" to convey the thoroughness of the transformation.

become in every respect

Replaces "exactly become" with a phrase highlighting transformation in all aspects, indicating a comprehensive change.

FAQs

Is "exactly become" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "exactly become" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. More appropriate alternatives include "precisely become" or "truly become", depending on the intended meaning.

What phrases can I use instead of "exactly become"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "precisely become", "actually become", or "completely become".

How can I rephrase a sentence that includes "exactly become" for better clarity?

Try restructuring the sentence to emphasize the result of the transformation. For example, instead of "He exactly became what he feared", you could say "He became the exact thing he feared" or "He became precisely what he feared".

When is it appropriate to use an adverb before "become"?

It's generally acceptable to use adverbs before "become" when they modify the manner or degree of change. For example, "He gradually became more confident" is correct, while "He exactly became confident" is not. Choose adverbs that describe the process or state of becoming, rather than simply emphasizing the fact of becoming.