may have become

USAGE SUMMARY

"may have become" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when describing a possibility or potential outcome, particularly one which has already been realized. For example, "We may have become too complacent in our success, which eventually led to our downfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It may have become asymptotic.

The New York Times

"It may have become faddish," he said.

The New York Times

Indeed, they may have become not just desensitised but paranoid.

The Guardian

And hockey may have become a vehicle for something else.

The New York Times - Magazine

To put it bluntly, you may have become too sophisticated.

The Guardian

Juncker may have become the embodiment of the shambles.

The Guardian

The Conservatives may have become victims of their own success.

The New York Times

Four years later, that potential may have become a reality.

The New York Times

The bears may have become trapped in the pit.

The Guardian

But relations may have become strained in recent months.

The New York Times

He worries that speculators may have become overly complacent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may have become", ensure the context clearly indicates a possibility that has materialized, not just a hypothetical scenario. For instance, instead of saying "The project may have become successful", provide context to suggest it is indeed now successful.

Common error

Avoid using "may have become" when discussing future possibilities. This phrase implies a past action with present consequences, not future hypotheticals. Use "may become" or "could become" for future scenarios instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have become" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a degree of possibility about a past action that has resulted in a current state. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates a potential outcome that has been realized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may have become" is a versatile modal verb phrase that suggests a plausible transformation or change that has occurred over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and suitable for use in a variety of contexts. With a "Very common" frequency, it appears most often in "News & Media" and "Science", exhibiting a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly supports the idea of a past action leading to a current state, and avoid using it to describe purely hypothetical or future scenarios. Alternatives such as "might have become" or "could have become" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Remember it's crucial to frame the sentence in a context indicating a potential outcome that has been realized, and supported by facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have become

Replaces "may" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower degree of probability.

could have become

Substitutes "may" with "could", indicating possibility or potential, often depending on conditions.

possibly transformed into

Emphasizes the transformation aspect using "transformed", implying a significant change.

potentially evolved into

Highlights the evolution or development aspect, suitable for contexts involving gradual change.

might be now

Uses "might be" to express the current state, omitting the process of becoming.

it's not impossible it has morphed into

Introduces a more dramatic change with "morphed into", conveying a significant alteration.

perhaps is now

Uses "perhaps" to indicate uncertainty about the current state, simplifying the phrasing.

it is conceivable that it has grown into

Focuses on growth or development using "grown into", indicating a natural progression.

it is plausible that it turned into

Adds a layer of formality and emphasizes the plausibility of the transformation.

it is possible it is now

Simplifies the sentence structure focusing on possibility and current existence.

FAQs

How do I use "may have become" in a sentence?

Use "may have become" to indicate a possibility that has likely occurred or is now a reality. For example, "The abandoned building "may have become" a haven for wildlife" suggests the building is now possibly inhabited by wildlife.

What are some alternatives to "may have become"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might have become", "could have become", or "possibly transformed into", depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "may have become" for future events?

No, "may have become" is generally used for past events with present implications. For future events, use "may become" or "could become".

What's the difference between "may have become" and "may be"?

"May have become" indicates a change or transformation over time, while "may be" simply suggests a current possibility. For instance, "It "may have become" outdated" implies it was once current, while "It "may be" outdated" only suggests it is currently possibly outdated.