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A2 verb #21 mais comum 13 min de leitura

to become

Top 21

At the A1 level, 'to become' is a word you use to talk about simple changes in how you feel or what you want to be in the future. It is a very important word for beginners because it helps you describe progress. For example, you can say 'I want to become a doctor' or 'I want to become a teacher.' This shows your dreams for the future. You can also use it to talk about simple feelings, like 'I become happy when I see my friends.' At this level, you should focus on the pattern: 'become + noun' (like a job) or 'become + adjective' (like a feeling). It is a bit more formal than the word 'get,' but it is very useful. Remember that the past tense is 'became.' So, if you finished your studies, you can say 'I became a student last year.' It is a simple way to show that something is different now than it was before. Practice using it with common jobs and simple emotions to build your confidence.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'to become' to describe more than just jobs and simple feelings. You can use it to talk about the weather, like 'It is becoming cold,' or about changes in a situation, like 'The game became difficult.' At this level, you should understand that 'become' is a linking verb. This means it connects the person or thing you are talking about to a new description. You will also start to see the present continuous form 'becoming' to show that a change is happening right now. For example, 'The city is becoming very big.' This is a great way to describe trends you see around you. You should also be careful with the past participle 'become.' In the present perfect, we say 'He has become famous.' Notice that 'become' here looks like the present tense, but it is actually the third form of the verb. This can be a bit tricky, so practice sentences like 'It has become late' or 'She has become a good friend.'

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'to become' in a variety of tenses and contexts. You can use it to describe more abstract changes, such as 'The situation became clear' or 'It became necessary to leave.' At this level, you are expected to distinguish between 'become' and its synonyms like 'get,' 'turn,' or 'grow.' For instance, you know that 'become' is more formal than 'get' and is better suited for writing essays or giving presentations. You also use 'become' to talk about social and historical changes, like 'The internet has become a part of daily life.' You can use it with comparative adjectives to show a trend: 'The world is becoming more connected.' This level also involves using 'become' in more complex sentence structures, such as 'It has become increasingly difficult to find a job.' Here, you are using an adverb ('increasingly') to modify the change, which adds more detail to your English. You should also be aware of the adjective 'becoming,' which means something looks good on someone, though this is less common.

At the B2 level, 'to become' is used to express nuanced transformations in professional, academic, and social contexts. You should be able to use it to describe complex processes and results. For example, 'The small startup has become a major player in the global market.' You are also expected to use it in the passive-voice-like structure 'It has become known that...' or 'It became apparent that...' to introduce facts or observations objectively. At this level, you should be very careful with collocations. Certain words always go with 'become,' such as 'become aware,' 'become involved,' or 'become obsessed.' You should also be able to use 'become' to discuss hypothetical situations using the conditional: 'If we don't act now, the problem will become irreversible.' Your use of 'become' should reflect a higher degree of precision, choosing it over 'get' to maintain a professional tone in your writing. You can also use it to describe shifts in public opinion or cultural trends with ease.

At the C1 level, you use 'to become' to articulate sophisticated ideas about evolution, philosophy, and systemic change. You can use it to describe the subtle ways in which concepts or identities shift over time. For example, 'The word has become synonymous with excellence' or 'The policy has become a cornerstone of the administration's agenda.' You are adept at using 'become' in complex grammatical structures, such as perfect infinitives: 'He is thought to have become disillusioned with the project.' You also understand the stylistic impact of using 'become' versus more evocative verbs like 'metamorphose' or 'transmute' and can choose the most appropriate one for the register of your text. At this level, you can use 'become' to discuss the 'becoming' of a person in a philosophical sense—the process of self-actualization. You also recognize and can use the formal, slightly archaic sense of 'becoming' as an adjective meaning 'appropriate' or 'decorous,' as in 'It was not becoming of a man of his stature to act so impulsively.'

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'to become' is complete, and you use it with the precision and flair of a native speaker. You can use it to describe the most abstract and complex transformations in high-level academic, literary, or professional discourse. You might use it to discuss the 'ontological becoming' of an entity or the way a minor event 'became the catalyst for a global revolution.' You are comfortable using it in highly formal structures, such as 'Should it become necessary, we will intervene.' You also have a deep understanding of the word's etymology and its relationship to other Germanic languages, which informs your appreciation of its place in the English lexicon. You can use 'become' to create subtle irony or to emphasize the inevitability of a change. Your writing uses 'become' as a precise tool to track the development of arguments, the evolution of characters, and the shifting dynamics of power. You are also fully aware of its idiomatic uses and can use them naturally in any context, from a high-stakes negotiation to a sophisticated literary critique.

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

to become em 30 segundos

To become is a linking verb that describes a change in state or identity, such as moving from being a student to being a professional.
It is used with both adjectives (to become happy) and nouns (to become a doctor) to show the result of a transformation or process.
The word is more formal than 'get' and is essential for describing growth, weather changes, and the evolution of situations in English.
It is an irregular verb with the forms: become (present), became (past), and become (past participle), used across all levels of English proficiency.

The verb to become is one of the most fundamental building blocks of the English language, serving as a primary 'linking verb' that describes a transition from one state, condition, or identity to another. At its core, it signifies the process of change. Unlike static verbs that describe how things are, become focuses on the movement toward a new reality. It is the bridge between 'was' and 'is'. In everyday conversation, we use it to describe personal growth, physical changes in the environment, and professional transformations. For instance, a student might study hard to become a lawyer, or the weather might become stormy as a front moves in. This word is indispensable because human life is defined by constant flux; nothing stays the same, and become is the tool we use to track those shifts.

State of Being: This usage refers to internal feelings or physical conditions. For example, 'She became tired after the long walk.' Here, the subject moves from a state of energy to a state of fatigue.
Identity and Profession: Used when someone enters a new role or career path. 'He became the CEO in 2022.' This indicates a formal change in status or title.
Natural Evolution: Describes biological or environmental cycles. 'The caterpillar becomes a butterfly.' This highlights a complete metamorphosis.

After years of dedicated practice and countless hours spent in the studio, she finally managed to become a world-renowned concert pianist, fulfilling a dream she had held since childhood.

The versatility of become lies in its ability to take both adjectives and nouns as complements. When followed by an adjective, it describes a change in quality (e.g., 'to become angry'). When followed by a noun, it describes a change in identity (e.g., 'to become a doctor'). This dual capacity makes it more formal than its common synonym 'get'. While you might say 'I'm getting hungry' in a casual setting, 'I am becoming hungry' sounds more deliberate and is often preferred in written narratives or formal speeches. Understanding the nuance of become allows a learner to express complex ideas about evolution, maturation, and the passage of time with precision. It is not just about the end result, but the journey of transformation itself.

As the sun began to set over the horizon, the sky started to become a deep shade of purple and orange, signaling the end of a long day.

It has become increasingly difficult for young families to find affordable housing in the city center due to rising inflation.

The small startup has become a global leader in renewable energy technology within just five years of its founding.

If you continue to ignore the warnings, the situation will become unmanageable for everyone involved in the project.

Using to become correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a copular (linking) verb. This means it connects the subject of the sentence to a subject complement, which can be either a noun phrase or an adjective. This structure is vital for describing transitions. When we say 'The weather became cold,' 'cold' is an adjective describing the new state of the weather. When we say 'She became a teacher,' 'a teacher' is a noun phrase identifying her new profession. One of the most common patterns is the use of 'become' with comparative adjectives to show a gradual change, such as 'The days are becoming longer' or 'The problem is becoming more serious.' This usage highlights the progressive nature of the transformation.

Subject + Become + Adjective: This is the most frequent pattern. It describes a change in quality. Example: 'The water became clear after the filter was installed.' It focuses on the attribute.
Subject + Become + Noun Phrase: This pattern describes a change in identity or category. Example: 'He became a citizen of the United Kingdom.' It focuses on the classification.
Continuous Tenses: Using 'becoming' (present continuous) emphasizes that the change is currently in progress. Example: 'It is becoming harder to ignore the truth.'

As the night progressed, the silence in the old house became almost deafening, making every small creak sound like a thunderclap.

In more complex sentence structures, become often appears in the infinitive form after other verbs. For instance, 'I want to become,' 'She hopes to become,' or 'They are likely to become.' This allows speakers to express future intentions or probabilities regarding change. It is also frequently used in passive-like structures or with dummy subjects like 'it'. For example, 'It has become clear that we need a new strategy.' In this case, 'become' links the dummy subject 'it' to the adjective 'clear,' which is then explained by the 'that' clause. This is a very common way to introduce observations in academic and professional writing. Furthermore, the past participle 'become' is used with the auxiliary verb 'have' to form the present perfect tense, indicating a change that happened in the past and is still relevant now: 'The city has become a hub for technology startups.'

By the time the rescue team arrived, the hikers had become severely dehydrated and were in urgent need of medical attention.

The relationship between the two neighboring countries became strained after the trade agreement was abruptly canceled.

It is becoming increasingly evident that climate change is affecting the migratory patterns of birds across the globe.

After the merger, the company will become the largest employer in the region, providing over five thousand new jobs.

You will encounter to become in a vast array of contexts, ranging from the most casual conversations to the most formal academic papers. In the world of news and journalism, it is a staple for reporting on shifts in political climates, economic trends, and social movements. Headlines often read like 'The City Has Become a Ghost Town' or 'Inflation Becomes the Primary Concern for Voters.' In these instances, the word carries a weight of significance, signaling a major transition that the audience needs to pay attention to. In literature and storytelling, become is the engine of character development. It tracks the protagonist's journey from innocence to experience, or from weakness to strength. Authors use it to describe the atmospheric changes that set the mood of a scene, such as 'The air became heavy with the scent of jasmine.'

In Professional Settings: In business meetings, you'll hear it used to discuss market evolution. 'Our brand must become more digital-centric to survive the next decade.'
In Science and Nature: Scientists use it to describe chemical reactions or biological processes. 'When heated, the liquid becomes a gas.'
In Pop Culture: Song lyrics and movie scripts are full of it. Think of the classic trope: 'I've become everything I hated.'

During the press conference, the CEO explained how the company's focus had become centered on sustainability and ethical sourcing over the last fiscal year.

In everyday speech, while 'get' is often used for simple changes (like 'get tired' or 'get mad'), become is used when the speaker wants to sound more precise or when the change is more profound. For example, a parent might say to a child, 'You are becoming a very responsible young person.' This carries more emotional weight and a sense of permanent growth than saying 'You are getting responsible.' In academic lectures, professors use become to explain historical shifts: 'Under the influence of the Enlightenment, the monarchy became less absolute.' It is also a key word in self-help and motivational speaking, where the focus is on 'becoming the best version of yourself.' This usage emphasizes that self-improvement is a continuous process of transformation rather than a single event. Whether you are watching a documentary about space where 'stars become black holes' or reading a fashion blog about how 'oversized coats have become the trend of the season,' the word is everywhere.

In the documentary, the narrator describes how the once-vibrant coral reefs have become bleached and lifeless due to the rising temperatures of the ocean.

The protagonist's struggle became the central theme of the novel, resonating with readers who had faced similar challenges in their own lives.

As technology advances, it has become possible to perform complex surgeries using robotic arms controlled by surgeons from miles away.

The small village has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its charming architecture and local festivals.

Even though to become is a common word, it presents several pitfalls for English learners, particularly those whose native languages handle the concept of 'becoming' differently. One of the most frequent errors is the 'become + to be' mistake. Learners often say 'I want to become to be a doctor' or 'It became to be cold.' This is incorrect because become is already a linking verb and does not need the infinitive 'to be' to function. You should simply say 'I want to become a doctor' or 'It became cold.' Another common error involves the confusion between the past tense 'became' and the past participle 'become'. In the present perfect, you must use 'have become,' but many learners mistakenly say 'have became.' For example, 'The situation has become serious' is correct, while 'The situation has became serious' is a grammatical error.

Adverb Overuse: Mistake: 'He became angrily.' Correct: 'He became angry.' Since 'become' is a linking verb, it must be followed by an adjective, not an adverb.
Confusion with 'Get': Mistake: 'I became a cold.' Correct: 'I got a cold.' Use 'become' for states of being, but 'get' for acquiring illnesses or temporary actions like 'get dressed'.
The 'Become + Noun' Article: Mistake: 'She became teacher.' Correct: 'She became a teacher.' When 'become' is followed by a singular countable noun, you must include an article.

Incorrect: After the long journey, the travelers became to be very exhausted and hungry.

A more subtle mistake involves the misuse of become when 'turn' or 'grow' would be more idiomatic. For example, while 'the leaves became red' is grammatically correct, native speakers are more likely to say 'the leaves turned red.' Similarly, for age, we say 'He turned twenty,' not 'He became twenty.' For gradual changes in feelings, 'grow' is often used: 'They grew to like each other.' Using become in these specific contexts doesn't make the sentence incomprehensible, but it can sound slightly unnatural or overly formal. Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse 'become' with 'suit' or 'fit' because of the secondary meaning of 'becoming' as an adjective (meaning attractive). For example, 'That dress becomes you' means the dress looks good on you. However, this is a very formal and somewhat dated usage, and learners should be careful not to confuse this with the primary verb meaning of transformation.

Incorrect: The milk became sour after being left out on the counter for two days in the summer heat.

Incorrect: He has became much more confident since he started his new job at the marketing firm.

Incorrect: The weather became very quickly cold when the sun went down behind the mountains.

Incorrect: I want to become more better at speaking English so I can travel the world.

While to become is a versatile and widely used verb, English offers several alternatives that can provide more specific nuances depending on the context. Choosing the right synonym can make your writing more vivid and your speech more natural. The most common informal alternative is 'get'. We use 'get' for everyday physical or emotional changes, like 'get tired,' 'get angry,' or 'get ready.' It is less formal than become and is the go-to choice in casual conversation. Another important alternative is 'turn,' which is specifically used for changes in color or age (e.g., 'the leaves turned brown,' 'she turned thirty'). 'Turn' implies a more sudden or definitive shift. For gradual changes that involve growth or development, 'grow' is a beautiful alternative, such as 'he grew fond of her' or 'it grew dark.'

Become vs. Get: 'Become' is formal and used for nouns/adjectives. 'Get' is informal and mostly used with adjectives. You can 'become a doctor' but you cannot 'get a doctor' (meaning to be one).
Become vs. Turn: 'Turn' is for specific categories like color, age, and weather. 'The milk turned sour' is more common than 'The milk became sour.'
Become vs. Go: 'Go' is often used for negative changes: 'go blind,' 'go crazy,' 'go bald.' It suggests a loss of a previous positive state.

Instead of saying the situation became bad, you might say it 'deteriorated' to sound more professional and precise in a business report.

In academic or technical writing, you might use more sophisticated verbs like 'evolve,' 'transform,' or 'metamorphose.' 'Evolve' suggests a slow, natural development over time, often used in biology or social history. 'Transform' implies a complete and often dramatic change in form or appearance. 'Metamorphose' is a highly specific scientific term for biological changes, like a caterpillar into a butterfly, though it can be used metaphorically. For changes in professional status, 'be appointed' or 'be promoted' are more specific than become. For example, 'He was appointed director' is more informative than 'He became director.' Understanding these alternatives allows you to tailor your language to your audience. If you are writing a poem, 'the sky grew pale' might be more evocative than 'the sky became pale.' If you are writing a legal document, 'the agreement became void' is exactly the right level of formality.

The caterpillar will become a chrysalis before finally emerging as a butterfly, a process known as metamorphosis.

As the years passed, the two rivals became close friends, proving that time can heal even the deepest of wounds.

It is expected that the small town will become a major industrial hub following the construction of the new railway line.

The debate became quite heated as both sides refused to compromise on their core principles.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"The policy has become a cornerstone of our strategic framework."

Neutro

"It is becoming quite cold outside, so bring a jacket."

Informal

"He's become a bit of a jerk lately."

Child friendly

"The little seed will become a beautiful flower."

Gíria

"That video became a total meme overnight."

Curiosidade

In Old English, 'become' actually meant 'to arrive.' It wasn't until the 12th century that it started to mean 'to change into.' Interestingly, the German cognate 'bekommen' means 'to receive/get,' which is a common source of confusion for German learners of English!

Guia de pronúncia

UK /bɪˈkʌm/

US /bɪˈkʌm/

Second syllable: be-COME.

Rima com

come some hum drum plum sum thumb crumb

Erros comuns

Stressing the first syllable (BE-come).
Pronouncing the 'o' like 'hot' instead of 'cup'.
Mixing up the past tense 'became' and participle 'become'.
Adding a 'to' after it (become to be).
Using it with an adverb (become happily).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

It is easy to recognize in text as it appears frequently in all types of writing.

Escrita 3/5

Learners often struggle with the irregular past forms and the linking verb grammar.

Expressão oral 2/5

Common in speech, though 'get' is a frequent competitor in casual talk.

Audição 2/5

Clearly pronounced, though the 'be-' prefix can be soft in fast speech.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

be come change get start

Aprenda a seguir

transform evolve metamorphose transition convert

Avançado

ontological actualization catalyst synonymous entrenched

Gramática essencial

Linking Verbs

Become is a linking verb, so it takes an adjective complement (He became angry) not an adverb (He became angrily).

Irregular Verbs

The past tense is 'became' and the past participle is 'become'. Example: 'He has become'.

Present Continuous for Trends

Use 'is becoming' to describe a gradual change happening now. Example: 'It is becoming more expensive'.

Articles with Nouns

Always use an article with singular countable nouns after become. Example: 'She became a doctor'.

Passive-like structures

Use 'It has become...' to introduce an observation. Example: 'It has become clear that...'

Exemplos por nível

I want to become a doctor.

Je veux devenir médecin.

Subject + want to + become + noun.

She became happy when she saw the gift.

Elle est devenue heureuse quand elle a vu le cadeau.

Past tense 'became' + adjective.

It is becoming hot today.

Il commence à faire chaud aujourd'hui.

Present continuous 'is becoming' for a current change.

He wants to become a pilot.

Il veut devenir pilote.

Become + a + singular job noun.

The cat became very big.

Le chat est devenu très gros.

Subject + became + adverb + adjective.

They became friends at school.

Ils sont devenus amis à l'école.

Became + plural noun.

I will become a student next year.

Je deviendrai étudiant l'année prochaine.

Future 'will become' + noun.

The water became ice.

L'eau est devenue de la glace.

Became + uncountable noun.

The weather is becoming cloudy.

Le temps devient nuageux.

Present continuous to show a gradual change.

He has become a very good cook.

Il est devenu un très bon cuisinier.

Present perfect 'has become' + noun phrase.

The game became difficult in the second half.

Le jeu est devenu difficile en deuxième mi-temps.

Past tense 'became' + adjective.

It became dark very early yesterday.

Il a fait nuit très tôt hier.

Dummy subject 'it' + became + adjective.

She became famous after the movie.

Elle est devenue célèbre après le film.

Became + adjective.

The town is becoming a popular place to live.

La ville devient un endroit populaire pour vivre.

Is becoming + noun phrase.

I became tired after the long walk.

Je suis devenu fatigué après la longue marche.

Became + adjective.

The milk became sour because it was old.

Le lait a tourné parce qu'il était vieux.

Became + adjective (state change).

It has become necessary to change our plans.

Il est devenu nécessaire de changer nos plans.

Present perfect + adjective + infinitive clause.

The internet has become an essential tool for education.

L'internet est devenu un outil essentiel pour l'éducation.

Present perfect + noun phrase.

He became aware of the problem too late.

Il a pris conscience du problème trop tard.

Became + aware (common collocation).

The world is becoming more and more connected.

Le monde devient de plus en plus connecté.

Is becoming + comparative adjective phrase.

She became interested in photography last year.

Elle s'est intéressée à la photographie l'année dernière.

Became + adjective (past participle used as adjective).

It became clear that they were not coming.

Il est devenu clair qu'ils ne venaient pas.

It became clear + that-clause.

The situation is becoming increasingly complicated.

La situation devient de plus en plus compliquée.

Is becoming + adverb + adjective.

He became the leader of the group by accident.

Il est devenu le chef du groupe par accident.

Became + the + noun phrase.

The company has become a global leader in its field.

L'entreprise est devenue un leader mondial dans son domaine.

Present perfect + noun phrase.

It has become apparent that the initial estimates were wrong.

Il est devenu évident que les estimations initiales étaient fausses.

It has become apparent + that-clause.

The relationship between the two countries became strained.

La relation entre les deux pays s'est tendue.

Became + adjective (strained).

She became obsessed with finding the truth.

Elle est devenue obsédée par la recherche de la vérité.

Became + obsessed (strong adjective).

The technology has become obsolete in just a few years.

La technologie est devenue obsolète en quelques années seulement.

Has become + adjective (obsolete).

It is becoming harder to justify the high costs.

Il devient plus difficile de justifier les coûts élevés.

Is becoming + comparative adjective + infinitive.

He became involved in local politics after he retired.

Il s'est impliqué dans la politique locale après sa retraite.

Became + involved (collocation).

The silence became unbearable after his question.

Le silence est devenu insupportable après sa question.

Became + adjective (unbearable).

The word has become synonymous with luxury and elegance.

Le mot est devenu synonyme de luxe et d'élégance.

Has become + synonymous with (advanced collocation).

It became evident that the policy was fundamentally flawed.

Il est devenu évident que la politique était fondamentalement défectueuse.

It became evident + that-clause.

He is thought to have become disillusioned with the political process.

On pense qu'il est devenu désillusionné par le processus politique.

Passive reporting verb + perfect infinitive 'to have become'.

The project has become a victim of its own success.

Le projet est devenu victime de son propre succès.

Idiomatic noun phrase 'victim of its own success'.

The air became thick with tension as the results were announced.

L'air est devenu lourd de tension à l'annonce des résultats.

Metaphorical use of 'become' with 'thick with'.

She became the embodiment of the company's new values.

Elle est devenue l'incarnation des nouvelles valeurs de l'entreprise.

Became + the embodiment of (abstract noun phrase).

It has become increasingly clear that we must act now.

Il est devenu de plus en plus clair que nous devons agir maintenant.

Has become + increasingly + clear.

The landscape became a desolate wasteland after the fire.

Le paysage est devenu un désert désolé après l'incendie.

Became + noun phrase (desolate wasteland).

The once-vibrant city became a mere shadow of its former self.

La ville autrefois vibrante n'est devenue qu'une ombre d'elle-même.

Became + idiomatic noun phrase 'a shadow of its former self'.

Should it become necessary, the government will intervene.

Si cela s'avérait nécessaire, le gouvernement interviendrait.

Inversion with 'should' for a formal hypothetical.

The debate became so polarized that compromise was impossible.

Le débat est devenu si polarisé que le compromis était impossible.

Became + so + adjective + that-clause.

The theory has become deeply entrenched in academic discourse.

La théorie est devenue profondément ancrée dans le discours académique.

Has become + adverb + adjective (entrenched).

His name has become a byword for corruption and greed.

Son nom est devenu un synonyme de corruption et d'avidité.

Has become + a byword for (C2 level idiom).

The atmosphere became charged with a sense of impending doom.

L'atmosphère est devenue chargée d'un sentiment de catastrophe imminente.

Became + charged with (metaphorical).

The technology has become so pervasive that it is hard to escape.

La technologie est devenue si envahissante qu'il est difficile d'y échapper.

Has become + so + adjective + that-clause.

It became the catalyst for a series of unforeseen events.

C'est devenu le catalyseur d'une série d'événements imprévus.

Became + the catalyst for (scientific metaphor).

Colocações comuns

become aware

become involved

become clear

become necessary

become famous

become obsessed

become apparent

become extinct

become a reality

become accustomed to

Frases Comuns

become of

become a member

become second nature

become a habit

become part of

become the norm

become a burden

become a legend

become an expert

become a nuisance

Frequentemente confundido com

to become vs get

Get is informal and used for temporary states; become is formal and used for identity.

to become vs turn

Turn is used for color, age, and weather; become is more general.

to become vs be

Be describes a current state; become describes the change into that state.

Expressões idiomáticas

"become a shadow of one's former self"

To lose the strength, influence, or vitality that one used to have. It describes a decline.

After the illness, he became a shadow of his former self.

literary

"become a law unto oneself"

To behave in an independent way, ignoring the rules or what other people expect.

The young director has become a law unto himself.

neutral

"become a household name"

To become very famous so that everyone knows who you are. It refers to widespread recognition.

The brand became a household name within a year.

neutral

"become of age"

To reach the age when you are legally considered an adult. It is a formal milestone.

When he became of age, he inherited the family business.

formal

"become unglued"

To lose emotional control or to fail completely. It is an informal way to describe a breakdown.

The team became unglued after the captain was injured.

informal

"become a fixture"

To become a permanent or very regular part of a place or group. It implies stability.

He has become a fixture at the local coffee shop.

neutral

"become the laughing stock"

To become someone that everyone laughs at because of something stupid or embarrassing.

The company became the laughing stock of the industry.

informal

"become a casualty of"

To be destroyed or lost because of a particular event or situation. It is often used for businesses.

The small shop became a casualty of the economic crisis.

neutral

"become a reality"

When a dream, plan, or hope actually happens in real life. It is a positive transformation.

Her dream of traveling the world finally became a reality.

neutral

"become one's own master"

To become independent and take control of one's own life or career. It signifies freedom.

He left the firm to become his own master.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

to become vs became

It is the past tense form of become.

Became is used for the simple past (yesterday), while become is used for the present and past participle (has become).

He became a doctor in 2010. He has become a good doctor.

to become vs becoming

It can be a verb or an adjective.

As a verb, it means changing. As an adjective, it means attractive or suitable.

The sky is becoming dark. That hat is very becoming on you.

to become vs come

It is the root of the word.

Come means to move toward a place; become means to change into a state.

Please come here. Please become a better person.

to become vs grow

Both describe change.

Grow is for gradual, natural changes; become is for any change in state or identity.

The plant grew tall. He became the manager.

to become vs go

Both can describe a change in state.

Go is usually for negative changes (go bad, go crazy); become is neutral.

The milk went sour. The situation became difficult.

Padrões de frases

I want to become a [job].

I want to become a teacher.

It is becoming [adjective].

It is becoming cold.

He became aware of [noun].

He became aware of the risk.

It has become apparent that [clause].

It has become apparent that we need more time.

[Noun] has become synonymous with [noun].

His name has become synonymous with success.

Should it become [adjective], [clause].

Should it become necessary, we will act.

The [noun] became [adjective] after [event].

The water became clear after the rain stopped.

She has become a [adjective] [noun].

She has become a great leader.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

Como usar

frequency

Very high; it is in the top 500 most common English words.

Erros comuns

I want to become to be a doctor. → I want to become a doctor.
You do not need 'to be' after 'become'. 'Become' is already a linking verb that connects the subject to the noun.
He has became very famous. → He has become very famous.
The past participle of 'become' is 'become', not 'became'. 'Became' is only for the simple past tense.
The weather became very quickly cold. → The weather quickly became very cold.
Adverbs should usually come before the verb 'become' or the whole phrase, not between the verb and the adjective.
She became teacher last year. → She became a teacher last year.
You must use an article (a/an) when 'become' is followed by a singular countable noun representing a job or role.
I became angrily when he lied. → I became angry when he lied.
Linking verbs like 'become' must be followed by adjectives, not adverbs, because they describe the subject's state.

Dicas

Adjective, not Adverb

Always follow 'become' with an adjective. It describes the subject's new state. 'The room became silent' is correct. 'The room became silently' is wrong.

Formal vs Informal

In your writing, try to use 'become' instead of 'get'. It makes your English sound more sophisticated and academic. 'The situation became worse' sounds better than 'The situation got worse'.

The Caterpillar Rule

Think of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. This is the perfect image for 'become' because it shows a complete change in identity and state.

Identity Changes

Use 'become' when someone gets a new job or title. 'She became the manager.' This is the standard way to describe professional progress.

Stress the 'Come'

The stress is on the second part: be-COME. If you stress the first part, it sounds unnatural. Practice saying 'I want to be-COME a doctor'.

Avoid 'Become to be'

This is the most common error. Never put 'to be' after 'become'. 'He became a teacher' is all you need. The verb 'become' already includes the idea of 'being'.

Listen for 'Has Become'

In news reports, you will often hear 'has become'. This introduces a new trend or a change that has just happened. It's a key signal for important information.

Use for Weather

It's a great way to talk about the weather changing. 'It's becoming windy' or 'It became rainy'. It sounds very natural and fluent.

Past Participle

Remember the forms: become-became-become. The first and third forms are the same. This is unusual, so make a special note of it for your exams.

Use for Gradual Change

Use 'becoming' with 'more and more' to show a slow change. 'The city is becoming more and more crowded.' This is a very common and useful pattern.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'Be' + 'Come'. You are 'coming' to a new way to 'be'. The 'come' part reminds you of the movement toward a new state.

Associação visual

Imagine a caterpillar 'coming' to a cocoon and then 'becoming' a butterfly. The movement represents the change.

Word Web

Change Grow Turn Start Identity State Future Process

Desafio

Try to write five sentences about how you have changed in the last five years using 'I have become...' for each one.

Origem da palavra

The word 'become' comes from the Old English word 'becuman,' which meant 'to come, approach, or arrive.' It is a combination of the prefix 'be-' (meaning 'about' or 'around') and 'cuman' (meaning 'to come'). Over time, the meaning shifted from physical arrival to a metaphorical 'arrival' at a new state or identity.

Significado original: To come to a place; to arrive; to happen.

Germanic (related to German 'bekommen,' though the German word now means 'to get').

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'become' to describe people's identities; some people prefer 'is' to show that their identity has always been there rather than 'becoming' something new.

In the US and UK, 'becoming' is often associated with professional success and personal growth, reflecting a culture that values self-improvement.

'Becoming' - The title of Michelle Obama's best-selling memoir. 'I have become death, the destroyer of worlds' - J. Robert Oppenheimer quoting the Bhagavad Gita. 'Comfortably Numb' by Pink Floyd: 'I have become comfortably numb.'

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Career and Education

become a professional
become an expert
become qualified
become a student

Weather and Environment

become stormy
become dark
become cold
become clear

Feelings and Health

become ill
become depressed
become excited
become tired

Social Trends

become popular
become the norm
become a trend
become famous

Problem Solving

become aware
become clear
become necessary
become apparent

Iniciadores de conversa

"What do you want to become in the future?"

"Has it become difficult to live in your city recently?"

"When did you first become interested in learning English?"

"How has your life become different since you started your new job?"

"Do you think people become wiser as they get older?"

Temas para diário

Describe a time when you became very proud of an achievement you worked hard for.

Write about how your hometown has become different over the last ten years.

Reflect on a person who has become a major influence in your life and why.

What is a skill that you would like to become an expert in, and how will you do it?

How has the world become a better or worse place because of technology in your opinion?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, you should never say 'become to be'. Become is already a linking verb. Just say 'become a doctor' or 'become happy'. Adding 'to be' is a common mistake for learners.

The main difference is formality. 'Get' is informal and used in speaking (get tired). 'Become' is more formal and used in writing or for professional identities (become a lawyer). Also, 'get' is rarely used with nouns to mean identity.

Yes, it is. The forms are: become (present), became (past), and become (past participle). It follows the same pattern as 'come, came, come'.

Use 'became' for the simple past tense when an action happened and finished in the past. For example: 'He became a citizen last year.' Do not use it with 'has' or 'have'.

No. Because 'become' is a linking verb, it must be followed by an adjective. You say 'He became quiet,' not 'He became quietly.' The adjective describes the subject.

Yes, it can be. As an adjective, it means 'attractive' or 'looking good on someone'. For example: 'That is a very becoming dress.' However, this usage is quite formal and less common than the verb.

Use 'have' or 'has' plus 'become'. For example: 'The weather has become cold.' Remember that the past participle is 'become', not 'became'.

It is more common to use 'turn' for age. For example: 'He turned twenty yesterday.' Using 'became twenty' sounds a bit unnatural to native speakers.

It is a phrase used to ask what happened to someone. For example: 'What became of your old car?' means 'What happened to your old car?'

No, 'become' is an intransitive verb, so it does not have a passive voice form. You cannot say 'He was become'.