would have become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have become" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a hypothetical situation in the past that did not occur, often in conditional sentences. Example: "If he had studied harder, he would have become a doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps we would have become friends.

The New York Times

He would have become distinguished and rich.

The New Yorker

The Depression would have become much worse.

The New York Times

An oddity would have become an embarrassment.

The New York Times

By then, they said, two issues would have become clearer.

The Economist

Workers would have become more unequal, but households would not.

The Economist

What do you think you would have become?

The New York Times

The German peoples would have become heirs to that religion.

The New Yorker

"Obamarriage" would have become "Obamacare" with a Christianist twist.

The New Yorker

Otherwise, Wimbledon Common would have become a vast Womble latrine.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Harper never would have become a free agent at all.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would have become", ensure the sentence provides enough context for the hypothetical scenario to be clear to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "would of become", as "would have" is the correct form. "Would've" is the contracted form of "would have" and is acceptable in informal writing, but avoid using the incorrect form in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have become" functions as a conditional perfect construction. It expresses a hypothetical outcome in the past that did not actually occur. Ludwig examples show it used to describe unrealized potential or alternative pasts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

23%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would have become" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction to express hypothetical past outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It is most prevalent in News & Media and Academic contexts, indicating a neutral register. Related phrases include "could have evolved into" and "might have transformed into", each with slightly different nuances. Remember to use "would have", not "would of", and ensure the hypothetical context is clear. With its widespread use and clear grammatical function, mastering "would have become" will enhance your ability to express complex ideas and counterfactual scenarios effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would have turned into

Indicates a change in nature or form as a result of a hypothetical past action.

could have evolved into

Emphasizes a gradual transformation or change over time.

was likely to have become

Highlights a higher probability of a certain outcome.

might have transformed into

Suggests a possibility of change with a slightly lower degree of certainty.

may have developed into

Implies a potential for growth or advancement into a certain state.

would have progressed to

Focuses on advancement to a more advanced stage or state.

would have advanced to be

Specifically highlights the attainment of a certain role or position.

could have grown to be

Focuses on growth over a period of time into a specific state.

was on track to be

Indicates an anticipated trajectory toward a specific outcome.

was destined to become

Suggests that a certain outcome was predetermined or inevitable.

FAQs

How do I use "would have become" in a sentence?

Use "would have become" to describe a past hypothetical situation. For example, "If I had practiced more, I "would have become" a better player."

What's a more concise alternative to "would have become"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "could have been" or "might have been" for brevity.

Is it correct to say "would of become" instead of "would have become"?

No, "would of become" is incorrect. The correct phrase is ""would have become"". "Would've" is a contraction of "would have", but "would of" is grammatically wrong.

What is the difference between "would have become" and "could have become"?

"Would have become" implies a more certain outcome in a hypothetical situation, while "could have become" suggests possibility or potential. For example, "If he had tried, he "would have become" successful" suggests a higher likelihood than "If he had tried, he could have become successful".