to become

USAGE SUMMARY

"to become" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to talk about the process of changing into a different form, state, or condition. For example, "He was determined to become a famous musician."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To become better people.

The New Yorker

To become a parent?

The New Yorker

— to become a writer.

The New Yorker

"It started to become apparent".

The New York Times

"I tried to become invisible.

Independent

I need to become acquainted.

The New York Times - Books

It's easy to become cynical.

The New York Times - Sports

He started to become silly".

The New York Times

I want to become crazy.

The New Yorker

Temple started to become excited.

The New Yorker

"We managed to become friends".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to become", ensure that the subsequent noun or adjective accurately reflects the intended transformation or state. For example, "to become proficient" is more specific than simply "to become good."

Common error

Avoid using "to become" when a simpler verb like "is" or "are" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound verbose. For instance, instead of writing "the sky is becoming blue", consider "the sky is blue" if the state is already achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to become" functions primarily as an infinitive of purpose or result. It is used to indicate the intended outcome or state that someone or something aims to achieve, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

27%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

28%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to become" is a versatile and commonly used construction that indicates a transition or transformation into a new state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, as well as wiki content. When using "to become", ensure that the following noun or adjective accurately reflects the intended change, and avoid overuse to prevent verbosity. Related phrases like "to transform into" and "to evolve into" can offer alternative expressions, while understanding the distinction between "to become" and "to be" is crucial for accurate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to turn into

Suggests a change, often unexpected or surprising.

to transform into

Focuses on a complete change in form or appearance.

to grow into

Emphasizes a natural or developmental change.

to develop into

Highlights a process of maturation or advancement.

to evolve into

Implies a gradual development or change over time.

to mature into

Specifically refers to growing older or more experienced.

to progress to

Implies movement towards a more advanced stage.

to convert to

Suggests a change in belief, system, or function.

to shape into

Focuses on the act of forming or molding something into a new state.

to emerge as

Indicates the act of becoming visible or known.

FAQs

How can I use "to become" in a sentence?

Use "to become" to describe a change or transition into a new state, condition, or role. For example, "She wants "to become a doctor"" or "The caterpillar will "to become a butterfly"".

What are some alternatives to "to become"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "to turn into", "to evolve into", or "to transform into" to express a similar meaning to "to become".

Which is correct: "to become" or "becoming"?

"To become" is an infinitive form, often used to express purpose or potential. "Becoming" is a gerund or present participle, typically used to describe an ongoing process. The correct choice depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence. For example, "His goal is "to become" a pilot" versus "Becoming a pilot requires dedication."

What is the difference between "to become" and "to be"?

"To be" expresses a state of existence, while "to become" expresses a transition into a new state. "To be" describes what something is, and "to become" describes what something is changing into. For instance, "She wants "to be happy"" describes a desired state, while "She is working "to become happy"" describes a process of change.