long become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long become" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misphrasing, possibly intended to convey that something has been the case for a long time. Example: "They have long become accustomed to the new routine."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was only 31, having not long become player-coach at Shrewsbury Town.

BBC

That joke had long become tired, and now he is exposed as a fraud.

The New York Times - Books

But he has long become a great Irish patriot, adorning banknotes and tourist brochures.

The Guardian - Books

It has long become an accepted truth that whales are special, mythic creatures.

The Guardian

Guantanamo has long become a symbol of Bush administration lawlessness in the "war on terror".

The Guardian - Opinion

It had long become obvious that they had the wrong team out there.

The Guardian - Sport

By that point, the players had long become exasperated with the Norwegian's methods.

The Guardian - Sport

Phrases such as "unspoiled paradise" or "best-kept secret" have long become worn and deadening.

The Guardian

But those incongruities have long become the stock-in-trade of the avant-garde.

The Guardian - Music

Football had long become our bond; it was the language we spoke together.

The Guardian - Books

In a sense, he is both president and opposition leader.Protesting voicesThis straddling of functions could, before long, become untenable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating that something has transitioned into a certain state over an extended period, use "have long since become" or "have long been" instead of "long become" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "long become" as a direct substitute for present perfect constructions like "have long since become". The unidiomatic structure often leads to confusion and weakens the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long become" functions as part of a verb phrase, typically within a clause that describes a transformation or a state that has evolved over time. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is considered non-standard in English, but its usage is relatively common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "long become" is relatively common, Ludwig AI considers it grammatically non-standard. It is used to describe something that has changed into a particular state over a considerable period. Given its potential for misinterpretation, it is advisable to opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "have long since become" or "have long been". These alternatives provide clarity and ensure adherence to standard English conventions. The phrase is found frequently in news and media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have long since become

This alternative emphasizes the duration and completion of the becoming process.

have long been

This alternative replaces the dynamic "become" with the stative "been", focusing on the established state.

have for a long time become

This option adds a more explicit temporal marker, clarifying the duration of the transformation.

have become common for a long time

This version underscores the duration of widespread acceptance or habituation.

have over time become

This alternative highlights the gradual nature of the transition.

have gradually become

Focuses on the step-by-step nature of the transformation

have previously become

Indicates something has become true at an earlier point

have eventually become

Signals an eventuality after a certain period

have lately become

Highlights recent changes or transformations.

have recently become

Indicates new transformation process

FAQs

Is "long become" grammatically correct?

No, "long become" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's often a misphrasing. Instead, consider using "have long since become" or "have long been" for better clarity and accuracy.

What does "long become" mean?

While not grammatically standard, "long become" is often intended to convey that something has transitioned into a particular state or condition over a considerable duration. It's better to use more accurate phrases like "have long since become" or "have long been" to avoid ambiguity.

Which is correct, "long become" or "have long become"?

Although you can find examples of usage for "long become", generally "have long since become" or "have long been" are grammatically preferable. The inclusion of "have" helps establish the correct tense and meaning.

What are some alternatives to "long become"?

Some alternatives to "long become" include "have long since become", "have long been", "have gradually become", or "have over time become". The best choice depends on the specific context you're aiming to convey.