it became later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it became later" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear and may confuse readers, as "later" typically refers to a time frame rather than a state of being. Example: "The event was scheduled for noon, but it became later due to unforeseen circumstances."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As the economist Joseph P. Ferrie has shown, in the late nineteenth century U.S. society was far more mobile than Great Britain's — a child in the U.S. was much more likely to move into a higher-class profession than that of his father — and much more mobile than it became later.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We didn't know how important it would become later on.

Yale University

(It became clear later they were supported by Russia and Canada).

Independent

It became apparent later in the game, however, that the Ravens wanted to specifically target Webster.

The New York Times

It became clear later, when one and then another of his sons enrolled at Newman.

The New York Times

Turning to the east, it became extratropical later that day, eventually dissipating on August 20.

Wikipedia

It became extratropical later that day, and Daisy dissipated on October 9 south of Newfoundland.

Wikipedia

It became known, later, that the staples used in the surgery were composed entirely of tantalum.

Acta Orthopaedica

Also, most commonly only a single breast was involved, although in some, it became bilateral later in the course.

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

It became clear later, however, that American-origin salmon range considerably further than had at first been thought.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

"Later it became a relief, after the initial shock".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes over time, provide context to avoid ambiguity. Instead of saying "it became later", specify a timeframe or event that triggered the change.

Common error

Do not use "it became later" without specifying what "later" refers to. This phrase lacks context and can confuse readers. Be precise by stating a time period or event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it became later" functions as a clause element expressing a change of state over time. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's often considered grammatically incorrect due to its lack of clarity. Examples from Ludwig showcase alternative phrasing that offer more context and precision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it became later" aims to convey a change happening at a subsequent time, it's generally considered grammatically questionable and lacks clarity. Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase is often better replaced with more specific and descriptive alternatives such as "it subsequently became", "it eventually turned into", or "it later evolved into". These alternatives offer improved grammatical correctness and provide a more precise understanding of the transformation. To avoid ambiguity, context should always be provided when discussing changes over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it then became

Indicates a direct sequence of events with a clear shift in state.

subsequently, it became

Formal and emphasizes the sequential nature of the change.

it subsequently became

Adds a formal tone and emphasizes the sequential nature of the change.

it eventually turned into

Focuses on the final state after a period of transformation.

it later evolved into

Highlights the gradual development and transformation over time.

it transformed afterward

Emphasizes the change that happened after a specific point.

it was later modified

Focuses on the aspect of being changed or altered at a subsequent time.

it became apparent afterward

Highlights that something was understood after a certain period.

it was then revealed

Emphasizes the unfolding of information or discovery.

it grew to be

Suggests a slow and gradual change over a long period of time.

FAQs

What's wrong with saying "it became later"?

The phrase "it became later" is not grammatically standard and lacks specific context, which can make the meaning unclear. It's better to use phrases like "it subsequently became" or "it eventually turned into" for clarity.

How can I use "it became later" correctly?

While "it became later" is generally not recommended, you can improve it by adding a specific time reference. For example, "it became clear later that day". However, alternatives like "it later became clear" are still preferable.

What are some formal alternatives to "it became later"?

Formal alternatives include phrases such as "it subsequently became", "it thereafter became", or "it eventually evolved into". These provide a more polished and precise way to express a change over time.

Is "it became later" ever appropriate in informal writing?

Even in informal writing, "it became later" can sound awkward. While some contexts might imply the meaning, it's usually better to choose a clearer alternative, like "it then became" or "after that it became", to avoid any ambiguity.