had already become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had already become" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that was already in progress before a certain point in time. For example, "By the time I arrived, the party had already become quite lively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the video had already become popular.

The New York Times

She had already become a stranger.

The New Yorker

By then she had already become Jack.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His talents as an orator had already become clear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Wells said his skills had already become outdated.

The New York Times

Tebow had already become a training camp sideshow.

The New York Times - Sports

A ghost of the ghost he had already become.

The Guardian - Music

"He had already become a legend", Murali remembered.

The Guardian - Sport

The destruction had already become a part of their landscape.

The New York Times

Allied bombs wiped out structures that had already become mere shells.

The New Yorker

But by then, it was too late: the movement had already become about much more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had already become" to clearly establish that an event or state was completed before another point in the past. This helps to create a clear sequence of events in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "has already become" when describing a sequence of past events; stick to the past perfect "had already become" for clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had already become" functions as a past perfect construction indicating a completed action or state before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It establishes a clear chronological order in narratives or explanations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had already become" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that something transitioned to a specific state before a certain point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this. It appears across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing, demonstrating its versatility and broad applicability. The phrase is best used to provide context and set the stage for subsequent events by clearly establishing the timing of past events in a sequence. Be sure to maintain correct tense consistency. The alternatives provided offer subtle variations in meaning, allowing for nuanced expression depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had come to be

This alternative focuses more on the process of becoming, rather than the completed state.

had grown into

Implies a gradual development into a particular state or form.

had evolved into

Suggests a more complex and transformative process.

had developed into

Similar to 'evolved into', but can also refer to a planned or intentional development.

was by then

A more concise way of expressing the same idea, emphasizing the point in time.

had turned into

Suggests a transformation, often unexpected or dramatic.

had materialized as

Implies that something abstract or planned has taken concrete form.

had proven to be

Focuses on the result or outcome, rather than the process of becoming.

had reached the point of being

Emphasizes the culmination of a process or development.

had risen to the level of

Implies progress and achievement in reaching a certain status.

FAQs

How to use "had already become" in a sentence?

Use "had already become" to indicate that something transitioned to a specific state before a certain point in the past. For example, "By the time I arrived, the show "had already become" a hit".

What can I say instead of "had already become"?

You can use alternatives like "had come to be", "had grown into", or "was by then" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had already become" or "has already become"?

"Had already become" is used to describe something in the past perfect tense, indicating completion before another past event. "Has already become" is present perfect, indicating completion relative to the present. The choice depends on the time frame you're referencing.

What's the difference between "had already become" and "already became"?

"Had already become" indicates that something happened before another event in the past. "Already became" simply states that something became something else at some point in the past, without reference to another event.