becomes
When something becomes something else, it changes into a new state or form.
Explanation at your level:
You use becomes when you want to say something changes. For example, if you are cold, you can say, 'The weather becomes cold.' It is a very useful word for talking about the weather, time, or how people feel. Just remember to add the 's' when you talk about one person or one thing!
At this level, you can use becomes to talk about growth and development. 'The boy becomes a man' or 'The caterpillar becomes a butterfly.' It is a great way to describe a process. You will see it used with adjectives like 'happy,' 'sad,' or 'tired' to show a shift in mood.
As you move to intermediate English, you will notice becomes is used to describe abstract changes. It is common to say 'It becomes difficult to finish on time' or 'The situation becomes complicated.' It helps you explain more complex ideas about your work, school, or personal life with ease.
In upper-intermediate English, becomes is used in more sophisticated contexts, such as describing societal trends or psychological shifts. You might say, 'The issue becomes a matter of public concern.' It is often used in formal reporting and storytelling to provide a clear narrative arc for the reader or listener.
At the advanced level, becomes often appears in philosophical or academic discussions. It is used to describe the 'becoming' of concepts or the evolution of complex systems. You might encounter it in literature to describe a character's internal transformation, where the word carries significant weight in defining their arc throughout the narrative.
Mastery of becomes involves understanding its nuance in literary and rhetorical contexts. It can be used to emphasize the inevitability of change or the subtle transition between states that are not easily defined. Writers use it to create a sense of movement and progression, often contrasting the 'being' of a subject with the 'becoming' of a subject. It is a staple in high-level analytical writing.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Verb describing a change of state.
- Used with adjectives and nouns.
- Essential for describing growth or transitions.
- Past tense is 'became'.
Think of becomes as a bridge between two states. It is the verb we use when we want to highlight that something has shifted from what it was before into something new. It is incredibly versatile because it applies to physical transformations, emotional shifts, and even professional growth.
When you say, 'He becomes angry,' you are noting a change in his emotional state. When you say, 'The weather becomes stormy,' you are noting a change in the environment. It is a very active word that keeps our language moving forward by describing the process of change itself.
The word becomes has deep roots in Old English, specifically from the word becuman, which meant 'to arrive' or 'to happen.' It is a combination of the prefix be- (which denotes a change of state) and cuman (to come).
Over centuries, the meaning shifted from simply 'arriving' to 'coming to be' or 'turning into.' It shares a linguistic family tree with the German word bekommen, which ironically means 'to get' or 'to receive.' It is fascinating how the same root evolved differently across languages, showing how words grow and change just like the things they describe!
You will find becomes used in almost every type of conversation, from casual chats to formal academic papers. It is most commonly followed by an adjective (e.g., 'he becomes tired') or a noun (e.g., 'she becomes a doctor').
In formal writing, it adds a sense of precision to the transition being described. In casual speech, it is a quick way to narrate a story. It is a highly frequent verb because change is a constant part of our daily lives, making this word essential for any English learner.
Idioms often use 'become' or its variations to describe social or physical states. 1. Become of: Used to ask about the fate of someone (e.g., 'What will become of them?'). 2. Become one: To join together or unite. 3. Become a reality: When a dream finally happens. 4. Become second nature: To do something so often it feels automatic. 5. Become the talk of the town: To be the subject of everyone's gossip.
Becomes is the third-person singular present form of the verb 'become.' It follows the standard rule of adding an 's' for he, she, or it. The pronunciation is /bɪˈkʌmz/ in both British and American English, with the stress on the second syllable.
It is a linking verb, meaning it connects the subject to a subject complement. It does not take an object in the traditional sense; instead, it describes the subject itself. Rhyming words include 'drums', 'hums', 'sums', 'plums', and 'thumbs'.
Fun Fact
It is related to the German 'bekommen', but the meanings drifted apart over time.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'i' sound, followed by a 'kuh' sound and a 'mz' ending.
Very similar to UK, clear 'uh' sound.
Common Errors
- Forgetting the 's' sound
- Mispronouncing the 'u' as an 'oo'
- Stress on the first syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in context.
Commonly used.
Very frequent.
Easy to hear.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Linking Verbs
He becomes happy.
Subject-Verb Agreement
She becomes.
Present Tense
It becomes.
Examples by Level
The water becomes ice.
Water turns to ice
Simple present
It becomes dark at night.
Night is dark
Linking verb
He becomes happy.
He is now happy
Subject+verb+adj
The dog becomes tired.
Dog is sleepy
Linking verb
She becomes a teacher.
She is a teacher now
Subject+verb+noun
The food becomes cold.
Food is not hot
Process change
It becomes hot in summer.
Summer is hot
General truth
The cat becomes hungry.
Cat needs food
State change
The caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
The city becomes very busy at noon.
Everything becomes clear after we talk.
The movie becomes exciting at the end.
He becomes a leader in his company.
The sky becomes grey before rain.
She becomes famous for her singing.
The house becomes quiet at night.
It becomes apparent that we need help.
The project becomes a major success.
He becomes involved in local politics.
The situation becomes tense during the meeting.
It becomes necessary to change the plan.
The forest becomes dense as we walk.
She becomes accustomed to the new city.
The problem becomes harder to solve.
The debate becomes heated as opinions differ.
His legacy becomes a symbol of hope.
The concept becomes integrated into practice.
The challenge becomes a catalyst for growth.
The atmosphere becomes electric before the show.
It becomes evident that the data is wrong.
The trend becomes widespread across the globe.
The silence becomes deafening in the room.
The theory becomes central to modern science.
Her grief becomes a source of inspiration.
The conflict becomes entrenched over decades.
The candidate becomes synonymous with reform.
The landscape becomes desolate in the winter.
The memory becomes blurred with the passage of time.
The narrative becomes complex and layered.
The policy becomes effective next month.
The artist becomes an embodiment of the era.
The movement becomes institutionalized over time.
The city becomes a crucible of innovation.
The truth becomes manifest through investigation.
The silence becomes a character in itself.
The transition becomes a point of no return.
The ideology becomes deeply ingrained in culture.
The argument becomes circular and redundant.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"What becomes of..."
What happens to someone/something.
What becomes of the old buildings?
neutral"Become one"
To unite or merge.
They decided to become one in marriage.
formal"Become second nature"
To be very easy due to practice.
Driving becomes second nature.
neutral"Become a reality"
To actually happen.
His plan is about to become a reality.
neutral"Become the talk of the town"
To be the main subject of gossip.
Her new house became the talk of the town.
casual"Become a fixture"
To be a permanent part of something.
He became a fixture at the local cafe.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar sound.
Comes means movement; becomes means change.
He comes home vs He becomes happy.
Same verb, different tense.
Became is past tense.
He became a hero yesterday.
Both are linking verbs.
Is is a state; becomes is a change.
He is sad vs He becomes sad.
Similar meaning.
Turns is more casual.
It turns red vs It becomes red.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + becomes + Adjective
The sky becomes dark.
Subject + becomes + Noun
She becomes a manager.
It + becomes + Adjective + to + Verb
It becomes hard to sleep.
Subject + becomes + Adjective + as + Clause
He becomes angry as he waits.
Subject + becomes + Noun + in + Context
The city becomes a hub in summer.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Third-person singular needs an 's'.
Becomes is not used before another verb.
Use a noun, not a gerund.
Becomes is not used with 'as'.
Use an adjective, not a participle.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a chrysalis in your hallway that 'becomes' a butterfly.
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it to narrate life changes.
Cultural Insight
It is a key word in 'self-improvement' culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Always check if you need 'becomes' or 'is'.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'mz' sound at the end.
Don't Make This Mistake
Never follow it with an infinitive verb.
Did You Know?
It shares a root with 'come'.
Study Smart
Use it to describe your own progress.
Writing Tip
Use it to show character growth.
Speaking Tip
Use it to explain weather shifts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
BE + COMES = BE (to exist) + COMES (arrives). A new state arrives.
Visual Association
A caterpillar spinning a cocoon and emerging as a butterfly.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about how your life has changed using 'becomes'.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: To arrive or happen.
Cultural Context
None
Used frequently in self-help and professional contexts regarding 'becoming' your best self.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School/Learning
- becomes clear
- becomes difficult
- becomes a priority
Weather
- becomes cold
- becomes stormy
- becomes sunny
Work
- becomes a manager
- becomes involved
- becomes necessary
Personal Growth
- becomes a person
- becomes strong
- becomes wise
Conversation Starters
"What is something that becomes easier with practice?"
"How does the weather change when it becomes winter?"
"What do you want to become in the future?"
"When does a hobby become a job?"
"How does a room feel when it becomes quiet?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you became very happy.
What is one thing that has become important to you recently?
How has your perspective become different over the years?
Write about a goal you want to become a reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, 'becomes' implies a change, while 'is' implies a state.
No, it is followed by adjectives or nouns.
It is neutral and used in all settings.
Became.
The verb 'become' is used for plural subjects.
Yes, 'He becomes a doctor.'
Yes.
bɪˈkʌmz.
Test Yourself
The ice ___ water in the sun.
Third-person singular subject.
Which sentence is correct?
Correct subject-verb agreement.
'Becomes' is a linking verb.
It links the subject to a state.
Word
Meaning
Matching phrases to meanings.
Subject + verb + adjective.
It ___ apparent that we were lost.
Past tense usage.
Which is a synonym?
Transforms implies change.
You can say 'He becomes to run'.
Becomes is not followed by an infinitive.
Word
Meaning
Idiomatic matching.
Advanced sentence structure.
Score: /10
Summary
Becomes is the perfect word to describe any transition from one state of being to another.
- Verb describing a change of state.
- Used with adjectives and nouns.
- Essential for describing growth or transitions.
- Past tense is 'became'.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a chrysalis in your hallway that 'becomes' a butterfly.
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it to narrate life changes.
Cultural Insight
It is a key word in 'self-improvement' culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Always check if you need 'becomes' or 'is'.
