it became that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it became that' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to denote a change in circumstance, and is often used in the context of a narrative. For example: He was hesitant to take the job at first, but eventually it became that he could not pass up the opportunity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We played in Europe a few years ago and it became that way.

Independent

In 1995 the company moved to Chicago, where it became that city's foremost ballet company.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"But it became that year's favourite place for a Christmas office-party outing.

The Guardian

We looked at each other … and it became that famous scene with the butter".

The Guardian - Film

"But the more I watched," he writes, "the clearer it became that linguistics was to be dominated by Chomsky".

The New York Times - Books

Eventually it became that fly on the wall thing, just through knowing them so well it was almost expected that I would be there.

The New York Times

"The longer one listened to him, the more obvious it became that his inability to speak was closely connected with an inability to think, namely, to think from the standpoint of someone else".

The New York Times

The longer one listened to him, the more obvious it became that his inability to speak was closely connected with an inability to think; that is, to think from the standpoint of somebody else.

The New Yorker

Celebrated by everyone from Popjustice to Pitchfork to the indie world's chosen pop musicologist Owen Pallett, it became that rare thing; a pop juggernaut that seemed to transcend criticism, uniting fans of all genres through sheer force of melody.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

More significantly, it also becomes remarkably elastic as it becomes that small.

The New York Times - Tech

The more rugged a landscape, the less likely it becomes that independent populations evolve in parallel.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative phrases like "it evolved into that" or "it came to be that" for nuanced emphasis.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "it became that" repeatedly can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and word choice to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it became that" functions as a connector indicating a result or transformation. It introduces a consequence or a new state of affairs. The Ludwig examples show that this phrase is often used to narrate how something changed over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it became that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a transformation or resulting state. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's common in news and media but less so in formal academic writing. While its grammatical status is correct, remember to vary your sentence structure to avoid repetition. Alternatives like "it evolved into that" can add nuance. Remember to analyze the context and choose the best fit for your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it came to be that

Emphasizes the process of arriving at a particular state or condition.

it had become that

Indicates a past transformation, emphasizing the completion of the change.

it turned into that

Focuses on the transformation or evolution into a specific state.

it was transformed into that

Stresses a significant change in form or nature.

it evolved into that

Emphasizes the gradual development and change over time.

it ended up being that

Highlights the final outcome or result of a process or situation.

it was at that point that

Emphasizes a specific moment when a change or realization occurred.

it was now that

Implies a shift in time or circumstance, indicating a new reality.

it was by then that

Indicates a point in time when a specific condition or situation existed.

it manifested as that

Focuses on the way something appeared or became evident.

FAQs

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

Use "it became that" to describe a change or result over time, like, "Initially, the project was small, but "it became that" year's biggest success".

What are some alternatives to "it became that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "it evolved into that", "it turned into that", or "it came to be that".

Is "it became that" formal or informal?

"It became that" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing.

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

"It became that" implies a change or transformation over time, whereas "it was that" simply states a fact or condition without necessarily indicating a change. For example: "It became that everyone knew" vs "It was that everyone knew".