it becomes trapped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it becomes trapped" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is caught or confined within a certain space or condition. Example: "As the temperature drops, the water in the pipe freezes, and it becomes trapped, causing a blockage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But before their ship reaches shore, it becomes trapped in ice.

The New York Times - Arts

If a sound is generated by a point source in the SOFAR zone, it becomes trapped by refraction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The colorless, odorless radon gas, which can be sucked up into the house from the basement, can increase the risk of lung cancer if it becomes trapped.

The New York Times

When a bird flies into the net, the net bulges out and then the bird drops below the string and into one of the shelves, where it becomes trapped until we release it.

The New York Times

Their inquiry, which is still in its early stages, shows that during a fire such flaws can act as sluice gates for heat, allowing it to enter the steel, where it becomes trapped, weakening the structure.

The New York Times

The prevailing trade winds usually carry the vog toward the southwest, or around the mountains to the western coast of the island, the Kona Coast, where it becomes trapped under clouds in an inversion similar to the smog of Los Angeles.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Another 19-month-old monkey also died when it became trapped in the squeeze mechanism of its cage.

Huffington Post

The expedition was heading east on Tuesday, to spend a day at the Mertz glacier, when it became trapped among thick ice floes near Stillwell Island, off Cape de la Motte.

The Guardian

Rescuers freed it after it became trapped in closed waters at Sussex Inlet in September 2012 but the dolphin did not find another pod in the open ocean as expected.

Independent

The clitellate worm's sperm is very short lived and therefore rare to find but was able to remain preserved for so long because it became trapped in the jelly-like cocoon before it hardened.

Independent

Before throwing himself full time into the Olympics, Boyle will finish editing his latest film, 127 Hours – which stars James Franco in the true story of mountaineer Aron Ralston who amputated his own arm when it became trapped under a boulder.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it becomes trapped" to clearly convey a situation where something is confined or unable to move freely, ensuring the context provides the reason for the entrapment.

Common error

Avoid using "it becomes trapped" too frequently in passive voice. Vary your sentence structure by specifying the agent causing the entrapment for more impactful writing. For instance, instead of "it becomes trapped by the ice", try "the ice traps it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it becomes trapped" functions as a passive construction, describing a state change where something is confined or unable to move freely. Ludwig's examples show its use across various contexts, indicating its versatility in expressing entrapment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it becomes trapped" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe a state of confinement or inescapable situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase commonly appears in various contexts, from news reports and scientific articles to wikis, indicating its broad applicability. While its usage is generally neutral, writers should be mindful of overusing passive constructions and aim to specify the agent of entrapment for a more impactful narrative. Alternatives like "it gets confined" or "it is stuck" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended emphasis. The frequency analysis indicates that the expression is common, predominantly found in News & Media and Science domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it gets confined

Focuses on the act of being limited in space; less emphasis on the trapping aspect.

it is caught

Emphasizes the action of catching; implies being unexpectedly captured.

it is stuck

Highlights the inability to move or escape; less specific about the surrounding circumstances.

it is ensnared

Implies a more deliberate or intricate method of trapping, suggesting entanglement.

it is imprisoned

Conveys a strong sense of being forcibly confined, often within a structure.

it is blocked

Focuses on obstruction, not necessarily implying physical capture.

it cannot escape

Emphasizes the lack of possibility to get free.

it is held captive

Focuses on external control and forced confinement.

it finds itself cornered

Highlights being forced into a difficult or inescapable position.

it is retained

Implies being held back or kept in place, not necessarily against its will.

FAQs

How can I use "it becomes trapped" in a sentence?

You can use "it becomes trapped" to describe a situation where something is confined or unable to escape a certain condition or location. For example, "The ship sailed smoothly until "it became trapped" in the Arctic ice."

What are some alternatives to "it becomes trapped"?

Alternatives include "it gets confined", "it is caught", or "it is stuck". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it becomes trapped"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase uses the pronoun "it" with the verb "becomes" and the past participle "trapped" to form a passive construction, which is standard English.

What is the difference between "it becomes trapped" and "it gets trapped"?

While both phrases are similar, "it becomes trapped" suggests a more gradual or progressive process leading to the state of being trapped, whereas "it gets trapped" implies a more immediate or sudden event. Therefore, "it becomes trapped" emphasizes the transition to the trapped state.