it started to become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it started to become" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a gradual change or transformation that began at a certain point in time. Example: "As the project progressed, it started to become clear that we needed to adjust our strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It started to become apparent".

The New York Times

Later it started to become bad.

The New York Times

It started to become a bit too restrictive".

The Guardian - Music

It started to become widely used in the 1950s.

The New York Times

And then somewhere along the way it started to become a chore.

The New Yorker

"It started to become more and more clear that an acquisition made sense".

The New York Times

"It started to become a very important layer in my story — in my vocabulary, really".

The New York Times - Arts

"It started to become clear that any plan was too difficult to implement," Krane told me.

The New Yorker

"Everyone was working well until Moinard attacked but then it started to become messy.

The Guardian - Sport

But then it started to become obvious that there was something more basic for me about that.

University of California, Berkeley

"About 10 years after the original patent expired, it started to become a standard tool in biology and materials science".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it started to become" to describe the initial phase of a change or transformation when you want to highlight the beginning of a process rather than its completion.

Common error

Avoid using "it started to become" when describing a state that is already established. This phrase is best for describing a process of change, not a fixed condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it started to become" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement of a transformation or development. Ludwig examples show its versatility in describing changes in feelings, situations, or processes. It serves to highlight the initial phase of a change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it started to become" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe the onset of a change or transformation. Ludwig AI validates its usage across a range of contexts, primarily in news, media, academic, and scientific domains. While versatile, remember to use it to define the beginning of a process. Alternatives like "it began to transform into" or "it was gradually becoming" offer similar meanings with subtle nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was gradually becoming

Highlights the gradual nature of the change.

it was slowly becoming

Similar to 'gradually becoming' but with an emphasis on the slow pace.

it started to develop into

Slightly more emphasis on the development aspect of the change.

it increasingly became

Emphasizes the increasing frequency or intensity of the change.

it began to evolve into

Suggests a more natural, gradual development.

it began to transform into

Emphasizes a complete change in form or appearance.

it grew to be

Suggests a natural progression over time.

it began to turn into

Implies a change, often unexpected or unwanted.

it commenced to develop into

More formal and emphasizes the initiation of a development process.

it arose as

Focuses on the emergence or origination of something new.

FAQs

How can I use "it started to become" in a sentence?

Use "it started to become" to indicate the beginning of a transition or development. For example, "After the new management took over, "it started to become" clear that changes were coming."

What are some alternatives to "it started to become"?

Alternatives include "it began to transform into", "it began to evolve into", or "it was gradually becoming", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it started becoming" grammatically correct?

While "it started becoming" is understandable, ""it started to become"" is generally preferred in formal writing as it maintains a clearer grammatical structure.

What's the difference between "it started to become" and "it became"?

"It started to become" emphasizes the initiation of a process, while "it became" indicates the completion of that process. The former highlights the transition, whereas the latter focuses on the resulting state.