they become about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they become about' is not grammatically correct and cannot be used in written English.
To make it correct, you would need to add more information to the phrase. For example, you can say, "They become concerned about..." or "They become excited about..."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The core principles of internal value sort of lose all meaning as soon as they become about tricking someone, but if you're going to take anything away from this whole sordid little handbook, perhaps it should be: you don't have to "do" anything to attract a girl.

Vice

'So much money is getting thrown at them, they become about the spectacle, not the story.

The Guardian - Film

A correspondent reflects on how the war has changed Afghanistan and its occupiers, and whether it was worth itAS A general rule, the longer outsiders spend in Afghanistan the more depressed they become about the place.

The Economist

Our experiences become not about our own fulfilment, the fulfilment of those we are with, or even about sharing; they become about ego, demonstrating status, seeming cool or smart or well-informed.

The Guardian

Polls on the general election are widely regarded as unreliable until about April or May of the election year -- at which point they become about halfway reliable.

Huffington Post

HuffPost Pollster's polling average shows him losing to Clinton, 47 percent to 40percentt, with 9percentt undecided….Polls on the general election are widely regarded as unreliable until about April or May of the election year — at which point they become about halfway reliable….Now we have a presumptive nominee and an assumed nominee.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

They have become about as useful as the old-time cavalry charge was in the last century’s world wars.

Forbes

And what's more frightening, is how clever they've become about hiding the act from parents.

Huffington Post

But as they grow up, friendships become about trying on different identities.

Huffington Post

The more information they received, the more confident they became about their answers.

The Economist

Older viewers may recall how excited they became about Robin Hood, the late-1950s ATV series starring Richard Greene.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity, use a complete verb phrase such as "they become concerned about" or "they become focused on" instead of just "they become about".

Common error

Avoid using "they become about" without specifying what they become. This construction leaves the sentence unfinished and unclear. Always clarify the subject of their transformation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they become about" functions as an incomplete verb phrase. As noted by Ludwig AI, this requires a complement to clarify its meaning. Examples show it often precedes what individuals or entities are increasingly focused or concerned with.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they become about" is grammatically questionable and requires a complement to be considered correct. Ludwig AI indicates it is an incomplete verb phrase. While it appears in various contexts, including News & Media, its usage necessitates careful completion to avoid ambiguity and maintain grammatical integrity. Alternatives like "they start focusing on" or "they turn their attention to" offer clearer and more grammatically sound options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they evolve into focusing on

Highlights a transformation leading to a particular focus.

they start focusing on

Emphasizes the initiation of focus, instead of a result of transformation.

they begin to address

Highlights the commencement of dealing with a subject.

they turn their attention to

Focuses on directing attention, rather than becoming.

they shift towards

Indicates a change in direction or focus.

they are increasingly about

Highlights an increase in a specific feature.

they are now centered on

Highlights current focus, avoiding any change in state.

they get involved with

Highlights a beginning in a specific area.

they delve into

Expresses a more intensive engagement.

they dedicate themselves to

Emphasizes commitment and concentration.

FAQs

What does "they become about" mean?

The phrase "they become about" is grammatically incomplete. To make sense, it needs a complement that clarifies what "they" are becoming. For example, "They become concerned about privacy".

How can I correct the phrase "they become about" in a sentence?

Complete the phrase by adding an adjective or noun phrase after "about", such as "They become anxious "about" the results" or "They become passionate "about" their cause".

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "they become about"?

Consider using phrases like "they start focusing "on"", "they begin to address", or "they turn their attention "to"" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "they become about" ever considered correct in formal writing?

No, "they become about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It's best to use more complete and precise phrasing.