what would become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'what would become' is correct and can be used in written English.
It expresses speculation about something that could potentially happen in the future. For example: "He wondered what would become of his small business if the economy took a downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What would become of the wine in barrels, in bottles?

Forbes

What would become of Aggie?

The New Yorker

You wondered what would become of him.

The New York Times - Arts

The English got what would become Manhattan.

The Washington Post

What would become of her children?

The New Yorker

What would become of the moose?

The New Yorker

Some eventually settle on what would become the standard lexicon.

The New Yorker

Yunus founded what would become Grameen Bank in 1976.

Independent

He also knew what would become of it.

The New York Times

He had foreseen what would become of his reputation.

The Economist

What would become of the Big East's remaining members?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what would become" to speculate about the future state or evolution of something, especially when discussing potential transformations or outcomes. For example, "The small seed held the promise of what would become a towering oak tree."

Common error

Avoid using "what would become" when discussing current or already established situations. This phrase is best suited for hypothetical or future outcomes, not present realities. For example, instead of "This is what would become the main office", say "This will become the main office" or "This is destined to be the main office".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what would become" functions as a relative clause, often introducing a noun or noun phrase that describes the future state or eventual form of something. It is frequently used to speculate or reflect on how something might evolve or transform, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what would become" is a versatile relative clause used to speculate on future outcomes or transformations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, primarily in news, wikis, and scientific domains. While generally neutral in register, it is important to avoid using it in present-tense scenarios. Related phrases such as "the future of" or "the destiny of" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas. Using it effectively involves understanding the nuance of future speculation and avoiding misuse in present-day contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what might happen to

Emphasizes the possibility and potential consequences regarding the destiny of something.

the future of

Focuses specifically on the prospects and long-term development of something.

the fate of

Highlights the inevitable or predetermined outcome of something, often with a sense of gravity.

the destiny of

Similar to 'the fate of', but often implies a more grand or significant outcome.

what will be the result of

Directly asks about the consequences or effects of a particular action or situation.

the eventual outcome of

Focuses on the final result or conclusion of a process or event.

how things will turn out for

An informal way of asking about the future circumstances or situation of someone or something.

the long-term effects on

Specifically considers the lasting impact and consequences on something.

what lies ahead for

Implies uncertainty about the future and suggests a journey or progression.

what the future holds for

Expresses curiosity about the opportunities, challenges, and experiences that await someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "what would become" in a sentence?

Use "what would become" to discuss the future development or transformation of something. For instance, "She had no idea that this small venture was what would become a global enterprise."

What's a more formal way to say "what would become"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "the future of", "the destiny of", or "the eventual outcome of" depending on the specific context.

Is "what would became" grammatically correct?

No, "what would became" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "what would become", using the base form of the verb "become" after the modal verb "would".

What is the difference between "what will become" and "what would become"?

"What will become" indicates a higher degree of certainty about a future outcome, while "what would become" suggests a hypothetical or less certain future. For example, "This innovation is what "will become" the industry standard" implies greater confidence than "This innovation is what "would become" the industry standard".