it became apparent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it became apparent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something has become clear or obvious over time. Example: "After reviewing the data, it became apparent that we needed to change our strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Suddenly it became apparent.

The Guardian

"It became apparent that the T.R.E.

The New York Times

The next morning it became apparent why.

The New York Times - Travel

"It became apparent that he was drinking water," Lampton said.

The New Yorker

It became apparent that the man was Paul Nicholson, 71.

The New York Times

"It became apparent that Rex was our guy," Johnson said.

The New York Times - Sports

It became apparent it was just Romanian nationals.

Independent

It became apparent that they knew what they would do.

The Guardian - Film

Over time it became apparent that Asunta was special.

The Guardian

It became apparent that the outlook for this varies.

The Guardian

"It became apparent that this was the perfect badge".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it became apparent" to signal a realization or understanding that develops over time, rather than an immediate observation. For example, "After analyzing the data, "it became apparent" that our initial hypothesis was incorrect."

Common error

While "it became apparent" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive constructions can make your writing seem weak. Consider restructuring the sentence for a more direct and active voice. For instance, instead of ""It became apparent" that the project was failing", try "We realized the project was failing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it became apparent" functions as an introductory clause or phrase, typically followed by a 'that'-clause. Its role is to signal a shift in understanding or realization. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it became apparent" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a realization that develops over time. Ludwig AI highlights that it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various domains, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "it became clear" and "it was evident" exist, "it became apparent" often implies a more gradual understanding. When writing, be mindful of potential passive voice overuse and adjust for clarity when necessary. Overall, it's a reliable and effective phrase for conveying an evolving understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it became clear

Direct synonym, indicating a situation transitioned to being easily understood.

it became obvious

Similar to "it became clear", emphasizing the ease with which something is noticed or understood.

it was evident

Indicates something was easily seen or understood based on the available information.

it was obvious

Similar to 'it was evident', but with a stronger emphasis on the immediate recognizability of the fact.

it was clear

Direct synonym focusing on the lack of ambiguity.

it emerged

Suggests that information came to light gradually, eventually becoming known.

it transpired

Implies a revelation of information, often unexpectedly.

it came to light

Highlights the revealing of previously unknown information.

it dawned on

Refers to a realization that occurs suddenly.

the penny dropped

An idiomatic expression indicating a sudden understanding after a period of confusion.

FAQs

How can I use "it became apparent" in a sentence?

Use "it became apparent" to introduce a realization or understanding that develops over time through observation or analysis. For example, "After several experiments, "it became apparent" that the hypothesis was flawed".

What are some alternatives to "it became apparent"?

You can use alternatives like "it became clear", "it was evident", or "it was obvious" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "it became clear" or "it became apparent"?

Both "it became clear" and ""it became apparent"" are acceptable. "It became clear" might suggest a more immediate understanding, while "it became apparent" implies a gradual realization.

What's the difference between "it became apparent" and "it was apparent"?

"It became apparent" suggests a process of realization over time. "It was apparent" indicates that something was already noticeable or obvious at a specific point in time.