were to become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'were to become' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a hypothetical situation, often with the meaning of 'if', or to express a potential outcome. For example: If she were to become a teacher, she would be a great one.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

What if listeners were to become participants?

The New York Times - Arts

The two were to become inextricably linked.

The Guardian - Sport

The five who were killed were to become army officers.

The New York Times

These bolts of cloth were to become materials of expression.

Independent

If you were to become a Supporter you would need to cancel your Google Play subscription.

The Guardian

What would change if they were to become Labour party leader?

The Guardian

I pity the state of California if by some bizarre circumstance Newsom were to become governor.

The New York Times

If "Interlude" were to become readily available, it would quickly be catapulted into canonical orbit.

The New Yorker

Dozens of what were to become favourite Pratchett inventions whizz by in the narrative.

The Guardian - Books

What she didn't know was that they were to become instant housemates.

The New York Times - Style

Ultimately, the Palestinian state-building project, and the Coin surge, were to become one.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were to become" to express hypothetical or conditional scenarios, particularly when emphasizing a potential future outcome contingent on certain circumstances. It adds a layer of formality and possibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was to become" when the subject is plural or in hypothetical situations requiring the subjunctive mood. The correct form is "were to become", even with singular subjects in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were to become" functions as part of a conditional clause, introducing a hypothetical scenario or potential outcome. As supported by Ludwig AI, it expresses a hypothetical or less likely situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were to become" is a versatile phrase used to express hypothetical scenarios and potential outcomes, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media sources. When using this phrase, remember to maintain proper grammatical structure and choose it when you want to emphasize a hypothetical or less likely situation. It's important to avoid the common error of using "was to become" in conditional clauses. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively integrate "were to become" into your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would become

Expresses a conditional or hypothetical result, similar but may imply a stronger likelihood.

were destined to be

Emphasizes a predetermined or inevitable outcome, suggesting less contingency.

were poised to be

Suggests readiness and imminence, differing in its emphasis on preparation and anticipation.

were fated to be

Highlights an outcome determined by fate or destiny, suggesting an uncontrollable force.

were slated to become

Indicates a planned or scheduled event or outcome, differing in its focus on intention.

were on track to become

Implies progress towards a specific goal, emphasizing forward movement and potential.

were in line to become

Suggests that someone is next in a sequence or likely to achieve something, emphasizing order and expectation.

were going to be

Expresses a future intention or plan, less formal and more direct.

could become

Indicates a potential outcome, emphasizing possibility and potential rather than condition.

might become

Conveys a possibility with less certainty than "were to become".

FAQs

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

Use "were to become" to express a hypothetical situation or a potential future outcome dependent on certain conditions. For example, "If he "were to become" president, he would face numerous challenges."

What are some alternatives to "were to become"?

You can use alternatives such as "would become", "could become", or "might become" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Each alternative carries a slightly different level of certainty or conditionality.

Is "was to become" ever correct instead of "were to become"?

While "were to become" is generally used for hypothetical situations, "was to become" is appropriate when describing a past plan or intention, especially in narrative contexts. However, in conditional clauses, "were" is almost always preferred.

What's the difference between "were to become" and "would become"?

"Were to become" often implies a more hypothetical or less likely scenario, while "would become" suggests a more probable or predictable outcome given certain conditions. The choice depends on the degree of uncertainty you wish to express.