it was becoming

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was becoming" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process or development that was occurring over time. For example, "It was becoming increasingly clear that she was losing interest in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was becoming collision football.

The New York Times

But it was becoming boring.

Independent

"It was becoming a grind".

The New York Times

It was becoming predictable.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was becoming unseemly.

The Guardian

It was becoming dark.

The New York Times

DINE It was becoming more public.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was becoming a job," he said.

The New Yorker

It was becoming an urban slum.

The New York Times

It was becoming a little boring.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Oh, Texas--it was becoming a major irritation.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, follow "it was becoming" with a descriptive adjective or noun phrase that clearly communicates the resulting state or condition. For example: "It was becoming increasingly difficult".

Common error

Avoid using "it was becoming" when you need to describe a completed action in the past. "It became" is more appropriate for expressing a finalized change. For example, use "It became clear" instead of "It was becoming clear" if the realization is now complete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was becoming" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action in the past. It signifies that something was in the process of changing or developing, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Books

8%

Sports

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was becoming" is a versatile phrase used to describe ongoing change or development in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across a variety of contexts. While broadly applicable, it's important to consider related phrases like "it started to be" or "it was gradually turning into" to add specific nuances to your writing. Remember to use "it became" for finalized changes. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively incorporate "it was becoming" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was in the process of becoming

This alternative is more formal and explicitly describes the state of transition, adding a layer of formality to the idea expressed by "it was becoming".

it was gradually turning into

This alternative highlights a slow and progressive change, similar to "it was becoming" but emphasizing the gradual nature.

it started to be

This alternative indicates the beginning of a state or condition, similar to "it was becoming" but with a focus on the starting point.

it was evolving into

This implies a natural and developmental change, suggesting a more organic process than simply "it was becoming".

it was getting to be

This alternative is more informal and colloquial, suggesting a casual observation of a changing state compared to the more neutral "it was becoming".

it began to transform into

This phrase emphasizes a change in form or nature, adding a stronger sense of evolution compared to "it was becoming".

it was on its way to being

This phrase emphasizes the ongoing progress towards a certain state, implying that the final state has not yet been reached, similar to "it was becoming".

it was progressing towards

This suggests movement in a specific direction, adding a sense of purpose or goal that might be absent in "it was becoming".

it was starting to look like

This phrase focuses on the appearance or perception of a change, suggesting that the change is becoming visually or evidently noticeable, differing from the neutral sense of "it was becoming".

it was shaping up to be

This indicates that something is developing in a promising way, implying potential and positive outcomes, differing from the neutral sense of "it was becoming".

FAQs

How can I use "it was becoming" in a sentence?

Use "it was becoming" to describe a gradual change or development over time. For example, "it was becoming clear that the project would need more funding".

What are some alternatives to "it was becoming"?

You can use alternatives like "it started to be", "it was gradually turning into", or "it was evolving into" depending on the context.

Is "it was becoming" formal or informal?

"It was becoming" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

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

"It was becoming" describes an ongoing process of change, while "it became" describes a completed change. For example, "it was becoming obvious" suggests a gradual realization, whereas "it became obvious" indicates a moment when something was definitively realized.