Meaning & use
become
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Meanings
verblinking
To start to be something or to change into it.
Grammar: Followed by a noun or adjective, not an object: become a teacher, become angry.
Patterns
- become something
- become adjective
She became a nurse after college.
The sky became dark within minutes.
He has become more confident.
verbintransitive
To happen to someone or something, used in the phrase what has become of.
Grammar: Used with of in questions: what became of them?
Patterns
- what became of someone
What became of your old neighbor?
No one knows what has become of the ship.
verbtransitiveformalold-fashioned
To look good on someone or suit them.
Grammar: Takes an object; rather formal or old-fashioned.
Patterns
- become someone
That blue dress becomes you.
Her calm manner becomes a leader.
Word forms
| third person singular | becomes |
|---|---|
| past tense | became |
| past participle | become |
| -ing form | becoming |
Common combinations
- become aware
- She became aware of a noise.
- become a reality
- The plan has become a reality.
- become famous
- He became famous overnight.
- become clear
- The reason soon became clear.
- become of
- What became of the plan?
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- becoming adjective
- flattering or suitable
- becomingly adverb
- in a flattering way
Commonly confused: become or begin?
become vs begin
Begin means start doing; become means change into a state.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
Become takes a noun or adjective directly. 'Became to be', a gerund or a lone adverb is not the right pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “become”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.