have become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have become" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to indicate a change over a period of time. For example, "The internet and social media have become essential tools for communication in the 21st century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have become so.

The New Yorker

"They have become crazy.

Independent

All have become targets.

The New York Times

Films have become television.

The New Yorker

I have become death.

The New York Times - Magazine

Boundaries have become blurred.

Independent

Villages have become towns.

The New York Times

Traders have become magicians.

The New York Times

We have become enslaved.

The New Yorker

Several have become artists.

The New Yorker

I have become toxic.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have become" to describe a process of change or evolution over time, indicating a transition from one state to another. For example, "Practices have become more efficient with new technology".

Common error

Avoid using "have become" when referring to a single, instantaneous event. "Have become" implies a process, not a one-time action. Instead of "Yesterday, the company have become bankrupt", use "Yesterday, the company became bankrupt".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "have become" is to serve as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating a state or condition that has resulted from a process or change over time. Ludwig's examples showcase this use effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have become" is a versatile and grammatically sound present perfect verb phrase used to describe a transition or evolution from one state to another. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's appropriate for various contexts, especially in News & Media. Remember to use "have become" for plural subjects and "has become" for singular subjects, avoiding it for instantaneous events. Alternatives like "have turned into" or "have evolved into" can be used for variety, but "have become" remains a clear and effective choice for expressing change over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have turned into

Emphasizes a transformation or change in nature; less formal than "have become".

have transformed into

Similar to "have turned into" but suggests a more complete or significant change.

have evolved into

Highlights a gradual development or progression over time, often implying improvement or adaptation.

have grown into

Suggests a natural or organic development, often used for describing the maturation of something.

have developed into

Focuses on the process of growth or improvement, implying a deliberate or planned change.

have morphed into

Implies a dramatic or surprising transformation, often used metaphorically.

are now

More concise and direct, simply stating the current state without emphasizing the transition.

have been made

Focuses on the action of making something into something else, rather than the resulting state.

are considered

Indicates a change in perception or opinion about something.

are now known as

Highlights a change in name or identity.

FAQs

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

Use "have become" to describe a transition or evolution over time. For example, "Online courses "have become" increasingly popular".

What are some alternatives to "have become"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "have turned into", "have evolved into", or "have transformed into".

Is it correct to say "has become" instead of "have become"?

"Has become" is used with singular subjects, while ""have become"" is used with plural subjects or the pronoun "I", "you", "we", or "they". For example, "The situation has become complicated", but "They "have become" good friends".

What's the difference between "become" and "have become"?

"Become" is the base form of the verb, while ""have become"" is the present perfect tense. Use ""have become"" to describe a change that started in the past and continues to the present or has a present result. For example, "I have become more patient over the years".