they became

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they became" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are talking about a change in status or state, such as: "After reading the news, they became worried about the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They became businessmen.

The New York Times

They became insouciant.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, they became engaged.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then they became boundaries.

The New York Times

"They became Californians.

The New York Times

They became casual friends.

The New York Times

They became incontinent.

The New York Times

They became fast friends.

The New York Times

They became close friends.

The New York Times

Occasionally, they became lovers.

The New York Times

Together, they became brothers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the noun or adjective following the phrase agrees with the plural subject "they" (e.g. "they became leaders", not "they became leader").

Common error

Avoid using "they become" when referring to a past event without a helping verb. While "they become" is correct for the present tense, the past tense must always be "they became". Similarly, do not write "they had became"; the correct past perfect form is "they had become".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they became" functions as a subject-verb construction where "they" is the third-person plural pronoun and "became" is the past tense form of the linking (copular) verb "become". According to Ludwig AI, this structure is used to link the subject to a complement that describes a resulting state or identity. It is a fundamental part of English syntax for denoting narrative progression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they became" is a foundational and grammatically Correct phrase in English, widely supported by high-authority sources in the Ludwig database. It serves as the standard way to describe a completed change in state or identity for a plural subject. Ludwig AI highlights its versatility, appearing in everything from historical accounts in Encyclopedia Britannica to personal anecdotes in The New Yorker. When using this phrase, remember that it is the past simple form; ensure that the following noun phrase is plural to maintain agreement with the subject "they". Whether you are writing a scientific report or a creative story, "they became" is a reliable choice for articulating evolution and transformation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they turned into

Suggests a more dramatic or physical transformation

they grew to be

Implies a gradual development over time

they evolved into

Indicates a complex or biological progression

they emerged as

Focuses on the final result of a process coming into view

they transitioned to being

Uses a more formal or clinical tone for change

they ended up as

Emphasizes the final outcome, often an unexpected one

they transformed into

Highlights a complete change in form or character

they shifted to

Describes a change in position, opinion or focus

they converted to

Specific to changing religion, systems or beliefs

they started being

Focuses on the inception of the new state

FAQs

What is the difference between "they became" and "they become"?

The primary difference is the tense. "they became" is the past simple form, used for actions that were completed in the past. In contrast, "they become" is the present simple form, used for general truths or habitual actions.

Can I use "they turned into" instead of "they became"?

Yes, you can use "they turned into" as a more descriptive alternative, especially when the change is dramatic or literal, though "they became" remains the most neutral and versatile choice.

What can I say instead of "they became" in a formal report?

For a more formal or professional tone, consider using "they emerged as", "they transitioned to" or "they assumed the role of".

Is it correct to say "they became a friend"?

While often used in casual speech, it is more grammatically consistent to say "they became friends" when referring to multiple people, or "he/she became a friend" for an individual.