Mastering “Became”: The Past Tense of “Become” – Usage, Examples, and Grammar Guide

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The verb “become” is one of the most important linking verbs in English. It allows us to describe transformations, changes in identity, states, and emotions. When we want to talk about these changes that happened in the past, we use its simple past tense form: “became”.

Understanding how and when to use “became” correctly is crucial for clear storytelling, sharing personal experiences, historical recounting, and professional communication. Whether you are an English learner trying to master past tense verbs, a teacher looking for comprehensive explanations and examples, or a writer or professional who values accurate grammar, this guide is designed for you.

This article will help you fully understand “became” by covering definitions, grammatical structures, detailed examples, usage rules, common mistakes, advanced tips, and extensive practice exercises. By the end, you’ll be confident in using “became” to describe past changes clearly and correctly.

Table of Contents

3. Definition Section

3.1. What is “Become”?

“Become” is an irregular linking verb in English. It connects the subject of the sentence to a word or phrase (called a complement) that describes a change in the subject’s state, identity, or condition.

For example:

  • She becomes tired after work. (change of state)
  • The caterpillar became a butterfly. (change of identity)

3.2. What is the Past Tense of “Become”?

The simple past tense of “become” is “became”. This form is used to describe changes that occurred and were completed in the past.

Principal parts of “become”:

  • Base (Infinitive): become
  • Simple Past: became
  • Past Participle: become
Table 1: Verb Forms of “Become”
Base Form Past Tense Past Participle Present Participle 3rd Person Singular
become became become becoming becomes

3.3. Grammatical Classification

“Became” is:

  • An irregular verb because it does not take the regular -ed ending.
  • A linking verb that connects the subject to a noun, adjective, or phrase describing what the subject turned into or how it changed.

3.4. Function and Usage Contexts

“Became” expresses a completed change in the past related to:

  • Identity or role
  • Physical or emotional condition
  • State or quality

It is widely used in:

  • Narration: telling stories about the past
  • Historical accounts: describing past events
  • Personal experiences
  • Descriptions of how things changed over time

For example:

  • After years of study, he became a scientist.
  • The weather became colder last night.

4. Structural Breakdown

4.1. Basic Sentence Patterns with “Became”

The most common structure:

Subject + became + complement (noun, adjective, or phrase)

Examples:

  • She became a doctor. (Noun complement)
  • The sky became dark. (Adjective complement)
  • The room became filled with smoke. (Phrase complement)

4.2. Affirmative Statements

Structure: Subject + became + complement

Examples:

  • The milk became sour.
  • He became famous overnight.
  • They became close friends.

4.3. Negative Statements

Use did not (didn’t) + base form “become”

Structure: Subject + did not become + complement

Examples:

  • He did not become angry.
  • The weather didn’t become better.
  • She did not become a teacher.

4.4. Yes/No Questions

Structure: Did + subject + become + complement?

Examples:

  • Did you become tired?
  • Did he become the manager?
  • Did the problem become worse?

4.5. Wh- Questions

Structure: Wh-word + did + subject + become + complement?

Examples:

  • When did she become famous?
  • How did it become so difficult?
  • Why did he become upset?

4.6. Passive Voice

“Became” is rarely used in the passive voice because it is a linking verb describing a change of state, not an action performed on an object.

Uncommon and awkward example:

  • He was become a hero. (Rare, generally avoided)

Note: Instead, active sentences are preferred: He became a hero.

4.7. Complement Types after “Became”

“Became” is followed by complements such as:

  • Noun phrases: She became a lawyer.
  • Adjective phrases: The night became cold.
  • Prepositional phrases: The room became in darkness. (less common and somewhat formal)

4.8. Table 2: Sentence Structures with “Became”

Table 2: Common Sentence Structures Using “Became”
Type Structure Example
Affirmative Subject + became + noun/adjective She became a teacher.
Negative Subject + did not become + noun/adjective He did not become angry.
Yes/No Question Did + subject + become + noun/adjective? Did they become friends?
Wh- Question Wh-word + did + subject + become + noun/adjective? When did she become famous?

5. Types or Categories

5.1. Change of Identity or Role

The boy became a man.

Describes a transformation in a person’s identity or social role.

5.2. Change of Condition or State

The water became ice.

Physical or observable changes of state.

5.3. Change of Emotion or Mood

She became upset.

Describes emotional transformations.

5.4. Change over Time (Gradual or Sudden)

The weather became stormy overnight.

Change that happens gradually or suddenly.

5.5. Idiomatic Uses or Figurative Changes

He became the laughingstock of the town.

Metaphorical or figurative transformations.

5.6. Table 3: Categories of “Became” with Examples

Table 3: Types of Changes Expressed by “Became”
Category Description Example
Change of Role Social or professional status change She became an engineer.
Change of State Physical transformation The caterpillar became a butterfly.
Change of Emotion Emotional condition He became sad after the news.
Sudden Change Quick transformation Suddenly, the sky became dark.
Figurative Metaphorical identity change He became a symbol of hope.

6. Examples Section

6.1. Simple Past Statements

  • She became very ill last year.
  • He became a famous actor in 2010.
  • The milk became sour quickly.
  • It became clear that they were right.
  • The problem became worse over time.
  • The dog became aggressive suddenly.
  • My grandmother became weak with age.
  • The city became more crowded every year.
  • The shirt became dirty after the game.
  • The discussion became heated.
  • The children became quiet when the teacher entered.

6.2. Negative Past Sentences

  • He did not become angry despite the insult.
  • The weather didn’t become warmer as expected.
  • She didn’t become a pilot after all.
  • They did not become close friends.
  • It didn’t become obvious until later.

6.3. Past Questions

  • When did they become friends?
  • Did you become tired after the trip?
  • How did it become so complicated?
  • Why did he become upset?
  • Did the plan become successful?

6.4. Change of Roles or Professions

  • After many years, she became the CEO.
  • He became a lawyer in 2015.
  • The apprentice became a master craftsman.
  • My cousin became a teacher last year.
  • She became an artist after quitting her job.

6.5. Change of Physical State

  • The leaves became brown in autumn.
  • The lake became frozen overnight.
  • The soup became cold while waiting.
  • The metal became rusty after years.
  • The bread became hard after a day.

6.6. Change of Emotions

  • He became furious when he heard the news.
  • She became nervous before the exam.
  • They became excited about the trip.
  • I became bored during the lecture.
  • My father became worried about my health.

6.7. Gradual Changes vs. Sudden Changes

  • She became more confident over time. (gradual)
  • Suddenly, the sky became dark. (sudden)
  • The city became a metropolis over decades. (gradual)
  • The room became silent instantly. (sudden)

6.8. Complex Sentences with “Became”

  • After the accident, he became someone I hardly recognized.
  • When the sun set, the beach became deserted.
  • Once she realized the truth, she became very upset.
  • Because of his dedication, he became the best player on the team.
  • Although it was hard, the task became easier with practice.

6.9. Table 4: Categorized Examples

Table 4: Examples of “Became” in Context
Category Example Sentence
Simple Past The milk became sour.
Negative He did not become angry.
Yes/No Question Did she become tired?
Wh- Question When did they become friends?
Role Change She became a lawyer in 2015.
Physical Change The water became ice.
Emotional Change He became furious.
Gradual Change She became more confident over time.
Sudden Change Suddenly, the sky became dark.
Complex Sentence After the accident, he became someone I hardly recognized.

6.10. Table 5: Correct Usage vs. Common Mistakes

Table 5: Correct and Incorrect Usage of “Became”
Incorrect Correct
She didn’t became tired. She didn’t become tired.
Did he became happy? Did he become happy?
Yesterday, I become sick. Yesterday, I became sick.
He was became angry. He became angry.
She became to cry. She became sad.

7. Usage Rules

7.1. When to Use “Became” vs. “Become”

  • “Became” is the simple past tense: use it for changes completed in the past.
  • “Become” is the base form: used after do/does/did, to (infinitive), or as a past participle in perfect tenses.

Examples:

  • Yesterday, she became ill. (past)
  • She has become ill. (present perfect)
  • Did she become ill? (question)

7.2. Agreement with Past Time Markers

Use “became” with expressions indicating past time:

  • yesterday
  • last year
  • in 1999
  • when I was a child

Example: When I was young, I became interested in music.

7.3. Avoiding Double Past Forms

Never add -ed to “became,” and don’t use became after did.

Incorrect: She didn’t became angry.

Correct: She didn’t become angry.

7.4. Use in Reported Speech

When reporting someone’s words about a past change, use “became”.

Example:

  • Direct: “I become tired easily.”
  • Reported: She said she became tired easily.

7.5. Avoiding Passive with “Became”

“Became” usually does not form passive structures because it is not an action verb.

Prefer: He became angry. Not: He was became angry.

7.6. Common Collocations

  • Became + adjective: She became famous.
  • Became + noun phrase: He became a doctor.
  • Rarely followed by verbs or adverbs.

7.7. Table 6: Usage Rules with Examples and Exceptions

Table 6: Summary of Usage Rules
Rule Example Notes
Use “became” for past events She became sick yesterday. Simple past tense
Use “become” with “did” Did you become tired? Base form after “did”
Use “become” in perfect tenses She has become famous. Past participle
Avoid double past forms Incorrect: did not became Correct: did not become
Usually avoid passive Incorrect: was became Use active: became

8. Common Mistakes

8.1. Confusing “Became” with “Become”

  • Incorrect: Yesterday, I become tired.
  • Correct: Yesterday, I became tired.

8.2. Incorrect Use after “Did”

  • Incorrect: Did you became happy?
  • Correct: Did you become happy?

8.3. Using “Became” for Present or Ongoing Change

  • Incorrect: She became sick now.
  • Correct: She has become sick now.

8.4. Overusing Passive Voice

  • Incorrect: He was became angry.
  • Correct: He became angry.

8.5. Wrong Complement Types

  • Incorrect: She became to cry.
  • Correct: She became sad.

8.6. Table 7: Common Mistakes vs. Correct Forms

Table 7: Common Errors with “Became”
Mistake Correct Form
Did you became tired? Did you become tired?
She did not became angry. She did not become angry.
I become sick yesterday. I became sick yesterday.
He was became upset. He became upset.
She became to cry. She became sad.
She became sick now. She has become sick now.
When became you angry? When did you become angry?
He had became tired. He had become tired.
They become friends last year. They became friends last year.
She becomes happy yesterday. She became happy yesterday.

9. Practice Exercises

9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank (10 sentences)

  1. Last night, the weather suddenly ______ cold. (Answer: became)
  2. After college, he ______ a teacher. (became)
  3. The water ______ ice during winter. (became)
  4. Suddenly, the room ______ silent. (became)
  5. She ______ upset when she heard the news. (became)
  6. After the argument, they ______ enemies. (became)
  7. The metal ______ rusty over time. (became)
  8. He ______ interested in science as a child. (became)
  9. The city ______ very crowded last year. (became)
  10. My grandfather ______ weaker with age. (became)

9.2. Correct the Mistakes (10 sentences)

  1. She didn’t became tired during the trip. (Answer: become)
  2. Did he became angry? (become)
  3. Last year, I become a manager. (became)
  4. He was became sad. (became)
  5. She became to cry after the movie. (became sad)
  6. Did you became friends? (become)
  7. They become angry yesterday. (became)
  8. I had became tired. (had become)
  9. She becomes happy yesterday. (became)
  10. He did not became upset. (become)

9.3. Identify the Complement (5 sentences)

  1. She became a doctor. (Complement: noun phrase)
  2. The sky became dark. (Adjective)
  3. He became very famous. (Adjective phrase)
  4. The room became filled with smoke. (Phrase)
  5. They became friends. (Noun phrase)

9.4. Create Sentences Using Prompts (5 prompts)

  1. doctor / 2010 — He became a doctor in 2010.
  2. angry / suddenly — Suddenly, he became angry.
  3. cold / last night — It became cold last night.
  4. friends / after the meeting — They became friends after the meeting.
  5. dark / when the sun set — The sky became dark when the sun set.

9.5. Multiple Choice (5 questions)

  1. They ____ very famous after the show.
    a) become
    b) became
    c) becoming
    Answer: b) became
  2. Did she ____ upset?
    a) became
    b) becoming
    c) become
    Answer: c) become
  3. Yesterday, it ____ clear.
    a) became
    b) become
    c) becomes
    Answer: a) became
  4. She ____ a nurse in 2015.
    a) becomes
    b) became
    c) become
    Answer: b) became
  5. He did not ____ angry.
    a) became
    b) become
    c) becoming
    Answer: b) become

10. Advanced Topics

10.1. “Became” vs. “Got” vs. “Turned”

These verbs all indicate change, but have subtle differences:

Table 8: Comparison of Change Verbs
Verb Use Example Register
became Formal, neutral change He became angry. Neutral/Formal
got Informal, sudden/emotional change He got angry. Informal
turned Often physical or color change The sky turned dark. Neutral

10.2. Using “Became” in Narrative Tenses

“Became” can combine with other past tenses:

  • Past perfect: By the time he arrived, she had become exhausted.
  • Past continuous: While the storm was raging, the river became dangerous.

10.3. Stylistic Choices: Formal vs. Informal

“Became” is more formal and precise.

“Got” is more informal and common in speech.

Example:

  • Formal: She became upset.
  • Informal: She got upset.

10.4. Figurative and Idiomatic Expressions with “Became”

  • He became the face of the campaign. (symbolic leader)
  • The story became a legend. (figurative transformation)
  • She became a household name. (very famous)

10.5. Regional and Register Variations

In more formal writing, “became” is preferred over “got.”

In spoken English, especially in American English, “got” is common for emotional or sudden changes.

11. FAQ Section

  1. What is the past tense of “become”?
    The past tense is “became.”
  2. Is “became” an irregular verb?
    Yes, “became” is the past tense of the irregular verb “become.”
  3. When do I use “became” vs. “become”?
    Use “became” for simple past events. Use “become” in perfect tenses (has become), infinitives (to become), or after “did” (did become).
  4. Can I use “became” with continuous tenses?
    Generally, no. Instead, use “was becoming” for past continuous: She was becoming tired.
  5. How do I make negative sentences with “became”?
    Use did not (didn’t) + become: He didn’t become angry.
  6. What complements can follow “became”?
    Typically, noun phrases, adjectives, or prepositional phrases.
  7. Is “became” used in passive voice?
    Rarely, because “became” is a linking verb, not an action verb.
  8. Can I use “became” for future changes?
    No, use will become for future: She will become famous.
  9. How do I form questions with “became”?
    Use Did + subject + become + complement?
  10. What are common mistakes with “became”?
    Using “became” with “did,” confusing with “become,” or wrong complements (e.g., “became to cry”).
  11. Can “became” be used in idioms?
    Yes, such as “became the face of” or “became a legend”.
  12. What’s the difference between “became” and “got”?
    “Became” is more formal and neutral; “got” is informal and often sudden/emotional.

12. Conclusion

“Became” is the simple past tense of the irregular verb “become,” used to express completed changes in the past. Mastering its forms and usage allows you to communicate past transformations in identity, state, emotion, or condition clearly and accurately.

Remember these key points:

  • Use “became” for past changes; use “become” for base form or past participle.
  • Follow the correct sentence structures for statements, negatives, and questions.
  • Use with appropriate complements: nouns, adjectives, or phrases.
  • Avoid common mistakes, especially with auxiliary verbs and tense confusion.

Practice regularly with the examples and exercises to solidify your understanding. Mastery of “became” will help you narrate past experiences, describe changes, and express yourself more precisely in English.

For further learning, explore related change-of-state verbs like “get,” “turn,” and idiomatic expressions to enrich your language skills.

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