longer became

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longer became" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey a change in state or condition, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "He no longer became the person he used to be after the incident."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The juicy title "Sunbathers live longer" became more realistic as the text advanced.

Harvard University

"But when it no longer became possible to believe, a lot of people felt despair.

The Guardian

He was seeing early and playing smoothly and late so that watching no longer became a tense business.

The Guardian - Sport

A short chorale-like motet using a line from the Book of Revelation, "There shall be time no longer", became a central panel of the threnody.

The Guardian - Music

The image of the dispirited Flacco, lying motionless and seemingly defeated for a few seconds that seemed much longer, became such a social-media rage that videos were made of fans "Flaccoing," flopping onto floors.

The New York Times - Sports

But when the video model no longer became tenable, BET followed its compatriots VH1 and MTV into reality programming, often about the lives of the young, fashion-conscious and largely well-to-do and assumed the burden of correcting reductive portraits of black life.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Basically it no longer becomes that person's work.

The New York Times

"This means the police will no longer become arrest-averse.

The Guardian

"Heroines no longer become women through romance, they become feminine through consumption".

The New York Times

Young people no longer become farmers; they move to the cities, in search of new opportunities.

The New York Times

Lothian road will no longer become an uneasy mixture of Hoxton fins and Niddrie micro-minis at 2am.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "became longer" or "grew longer" to avoid ambiguity and improve readability.

Common error

Avoid using "longer became" as it sounds unnatural in contemporary English. Reframe your sentence to use a more direct verb such as "grew" or "was".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longer became" functions as a linking verb construction, attempting to describe a transformation or change in state related to length. However, according to Ludwig AI, this particular phrasing is not standard in modern English, leading to potential awkwardness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "longer became" is found in various sources, it's considered an awkward and non-idiomatic expression in contemporary English. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase's intended purpose is to describe an increase in length or duration over time. However, clearer alternatives like "became longer" or "grew longer" are generally preferred, especially in formal and professional writing. Using these alternatives can enhance clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations. In other words, it is better to avoid "longer became".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grew longer

Uses "grew" as a verb to indicate an increase in length, offering a more natural and commonly used phrasing.

became longer

Reverses the order of the words, which, while grammatically correct, conveys a slightly different emphasis on the lengthening aspect rather than the process of becoming.

became increasingly long

Uses "increasingly" to emphasize the continuous growth in length, suggesting a gradual process.

became more prolonged

Uses "prolonged" to emphasize the extended nature of something, implying a drawn-out process.

extended in length

Employs a more descriptive approach, highlighting the physical attribute of length and its expansion.

has elongated over time

This emphasizes a process that occurs over a duration, referring to something becoming physically longer and stretched out.

increased in duration

Shifts the focus to time, suggesting a lengthening of the period involved rather than physical length.

was lengthened

Changes the verb to passive voice, focusing on the object undergoing the change in length.

expanded in time

Focuses on temporal growth or expansion rather than physical elongation.

evolved into something lengthier

Suggests a progressive transformation where the outcome exhibits greater length.

FAQs

What's a more natural way to say "longer became"?

Consider using phrases like "became longer", "grew longer", or "was lengthened" depending on the specific context.

Is "longer became" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "longer became" is considered an awkward and less common phrasing in modern English. More direct alternatives are generally preferred.

Can I use "longer became" in formal writing?

It's best to avoid "longer became" in formal writing. Opt for more standard phrases to ensure clarity and professionalism.

What's the difference between "longer became" and "became longer"?

"Became longer" is a more common and natural-sounding phrase. While "longer became" isn't necessarily incorrect, it's less idiomatic and may sound awkward to native English speakers. "Became longer" emphasizes the process of becoming extended, while "longer became" places more emphasis on the length.