when it becomes

USAGE SUMMARY

"when it becomes" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a specific point in time when something changes in status or condition. For example, "When it becomes dark, we will start the fire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even espionage loses its glamour when it becomes indentured labor.

The New Yorker

When it becomes this commercial, it loses its true symbolism".

The New York Times

That's when it becomes frustrating".

The New York Times

When it becomes beyond you.

Independent

"Only when it becomes vintage," she said.

The New York Times

What happens when it becomes warmer?

The New York Times

When it becomes public dogma.

The Guardian

That's when it becomes real.

The Guardian - Sport

And that's when it becomes more difficult".

The New York Times - Books

That's when it becomes this transformative moment".

The New York Times - Arts

That's when it becomes really sad.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when it becomes" to clearly mark the point at which a change in state or condition occurs. This helps create a cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently after "when it becomes". Ensure that the subsequent clause maintains a logical and consistent tense with the initial statement to prevent confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when it becomes" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies a condition or time frame. This clause modifies the main clause by indicating when the event described in the main clause will occur or be true. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

21%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when it becomes" serves as a versatile tool for establishing temporal relationships and indicating conditional changes across various writing styles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, reflected by its 'Very common' frequency and presence in numerous authoritative sources like the New York Times and The Guardian. When employing this phrase, it's essential to maintain consistent tenses to avoid reader confusion. Alternative expressions, such as "once it is" or "as it transitions", can offer nuanced variations, but "when it becomes" remains a straightforward and effective choice for many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon its transformation

Emphasizes the moment of change more directly.

at the point of conversion

Highlights a specific instant of change.

as it transitions

Focuses on the process of changing rather than the final state.

once it turns into

Indicates a completed change with a sense of finality.

subsequent to its evolution

Highlights the gradual development leading to change.

following its alteration

Stresses that something has been changed or modified.

after it has morphed

Implies a dramatic or significant change.

in the event it evolves

Focuses on the possibility of change.

should it transform

Presents a more hypothetical scenario of change.

if it is converted

Emphasizes the condition under which change occurs.

FAQs

How can I use "when it becomes" in a sentence?

Use "when it becomes" to indicate a change or transition point, for example: "The situation will improve "when it becomes" clearer."

What are some alternatives to using "when it becomes"?

Alternatives include "once it is", "as it transitions", or "upon its transformation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example: "The project will launch "once it is" fully tested."

Is it grammatically correct to say "when it will become" instead of "when it becomes"?

While "when it will become" isn't strictly ungrammatical, ""when it becomes"" is generally preferred and more concise in most contexts. The future tense is often unnecessary in clauses introduced by "when."

What's the difference between "when it becomes" and "if it becomes"?

"When it becomes" suggests a greater likelihood or expectation of the change happening, while "if it becomes" implies a more conditional or uncertain possibility. For example: "When it becomes necessary, we'll take action" suggests it's likely to happen, versus "If it becomes necessary, we'll take action" which suggests it may not.