when they become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when they become" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a change in state or condition at a future time. Example: "The project will be successful when they become more organized and focused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They just want their donations when they become alumni.

Stanford University

Homework: Homeworks will be posted below when they become available.

Princeton University

Republics only really become empires when they become empires.

University of California, Berkeley

"When they become isolation heavy they become stagnant".

The New York Times

When they become presidents, they will adjust policies toward China.

The Washington Post

Such apartments, when they become available, rent quickly.

The New York Times

What about these children's contributions when they become adults?

The Washington Post

When they become ill, they come to see me.

The Guardian

"Americans tend to notice countries when they become a threat.

The New York Times

"When they become mothers, they discover it's an anachronism.

The New York Times - Style

That's when they become easy prey for militant organisations".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when they become" to clearly indicate a change in state or condition, ensuring the context makes the transition evident.

Common error

Avoid stringing multiple clauses with "when they become" together; break them down for clarity. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they become" functions as an adverbial clause of time, introducing a condition or event that triggers a subsequent action or state. Ludwig AI shows it is widely used to denote transitions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when they become" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate a change in state or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While it's generally safe to use, avoid overuse in complex sentences to maintain clarity. Consider alternatives like "as they transform" or "once they evolve" to add nuance and variety to your writing. Remember to use "when they become" to clearly indicate a transition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they transform

Emphasizes a complete change in form or character.

after they turn into

Implies a distinct change in state or form.

once they evolve

Suggests a gradual development or progression.

should they transition

Emphasizes a movement from one state to another.

following their conversion

Highlights a change in belief, opinion, or nature.

as they are converted

Suggests a transformation or change in form or function.

subsequent to their development

Focuses on a process of growth or improvement over time.

upon their maturation

Emphasizes the achievement of full development or potential.

in the event they materialize

Suggests something becoming real or actual.

if they should come to be

Expresses a hypothetical state of existence.

FAQs

How can I use "when they become" in a sentence?

Use "when they become" to describe a change or transition. For example, "They will understand the importance of the lesson "when they become parents"".

What are some alternatives to "when they become"?

Alternatives include phrases like "as they transform", "once they evolve", or "after they turn into", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a more formal way to say "when they become"?

Yes, you could use phrases such as "subsequent to their development" or "upon their maturation" for a more formal tone.

How does the context affect the choice of using "when they become"?

The context dictates whether "when they become" is the most appropriate phrase. For instance, if discussing a gradual change, "once they evolve" might be more suitable. If discussing a legal matter, it is possible to use "should they transition".