long since become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long since become" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has happened a considerable time ago and is now a settled state or condition. Example: "The once small town has long since become a bustling city, filled with shops and restaurants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the adult world, however — or, at least, the adult world Rowling portrays in "The Casual Vacancy" — becoming is no longer part of the equation; everyone has long since become.

Los Angeles Times

Bradley's duel with Russell had long since become incidental.

The New Yorker

" 'Navalny' has long since become a collective force," he said.

The New Yorker

Instead he has long since become a master craftsman.

The New York Times - Arts

Both have long since become fixtures in Washington.

The New York Times

Scientists have long since become accustomed to explaining the future value of their work.

Research Policy

But toys, like lettuces or chocolate, have long since become another manifestation of difference.

The New York Times

One thing we do know is that Wambach has long since become the great American striker.

The New York Times - Sports

He has long since become one of the French great and good.

Independent

As for husband and wife, Wollstonecraft's ideal has long since become a cliché.

The New York Times

Laver is so far ahead that the match has long since become an exhibition.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the tense is appropriate. "Had long since become" is useful for describing a state that existed before another past event.

Common error

Avoid using "long since become" when describing ongoing or very recent changes. It's best suited for situations where the transformation is complete and settled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long since become" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a linking verb, indicating a state change that occurred in the distant past and has solidified into a present condition. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in describing completed transformations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long since become" is a versatile expression used to describe a transformation or state change that has occurred over a significant period, establishing a present, settled condition. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, frequently appearing in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. When writing, be mindful of the tense, as "had long since become" places the transformation further in the past. Alternatives like "has long ago turned into" or "has long since transformed into" can offer slight variations in emphasis. Mastering the usage of "long since become" enhances clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had long since become

Puts the phrase in past perfect tense.

has long since transformed into

Similar to 'turned into' but with a stronger sense of complete change.

has long ago turned into

Emphasizes the transformation aspect more directly.

has long since developed into

Focuses on the gradual development process.

has long since grown into

Suggests a natural and progressive growth.

has long ago evolved into

Highlights the evolutionary process of becoming.

has by now become

Implies that the transition is complete as of the present moment.

has for a long time been

Shifts the focus to the duration of the state rather than the act of becoming.

has for many years been

Similar to 'has for a long time been' but emphasizes the extended period.

has gradually become

Focuses on the gradual nature of the transformation.

FAQs

How can I use "long since become" in a sentence?

Use "long since become" to indicate that something has transformed into a settled state over a considerable period. For example, "The small village has long since become a bustling tourist destination."

What's a good alternative to "long since become"?

Alternatives include "has long ago turned into", "has long since transformed into", or "has long since developed into", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had long since become"?

Yes, "had long since become" is correct. It's used in the past perfect tense to describe a state that existed before another past event. For instance, "By the time I arrived, the problem had long since become unmanageable."

What's the difference between "long since become" and "recently become"?

"Long since become" implies that the transformation happened a considerable time ago, whereas "recently become" indicates a change that occurred not long ago. They are opposites in terms of the timeframe they describe.