The verb “become” is a fundamental part of the English language, expressing change, transformation, and development. As an irregular verb, mastering its past tense forms is vital for anyone aiming to use English fluently and accurately. Whether narrating past experiences, describing historical changes, or telling compelling stories, knowing how to correctly use the past forms of “become” enhances clarity and sophistication in writing and speech.
This comprehensive guide will explore the definitions, grammatical structures, tense variations, usage contexts, common errors, advanced nuances, and provide abundant examples. It includes detailed tables, practice exercises with answers, and contrasts “become” with similar verbs.
Learners at all levels, teachers, writers, and grammar enthusiasts will find valuable insights to deepen their understanding.
Irregular verbs like “become” often pose challenges due to their non-standard patterns. By the end of this article, you will confidently distinguish between “became” and “become”, apply them correctly in various tenses, and avoid frequent mistakes.
Table of Contents
- 3. Definition Section
- 4. Structural Breakdown
- 5. Types or Categories
- 6. Examples Section
- 7. Usage Rules
- 8. Common Mistakes
- 9. Practice Exercises
- 10. Advanced Topics
- 11. FAQ Section
- 12. Conclusion
3. Definition Section
3.1 Overview of the Verb “Become”
“Become” is primarily a linking verb, often connecting the subject with a new state or identity, indicating a change, transformation, or development. For example, “The sky became dark.”
Its etymology traces back to Old English becuman, meaning “to come to, reach, arrive” and Middle English “bicomen.” It is classified as:
- Irregular Verb: it does not follow the standard -ed past form.
- Intransitive Verb: generally does not take a direct object.
- Copular Verb: functions to link subject with a subject complement.
3.2 What Is the Past Tense of “Become”?
The verb “become” is irregular. Its key forms are:
- Simple Past: “became” (e.g., “She became famous.”)
- Past Participle: “become” (e.g., “She has become famous.”)
Unlike regular verbs, it does not use the -ed ending, making it essential to memorize its forms.
3.3 Functions and Usage Contexts
In past tense contexts, “become” expresses:
- Completed changes or transformations in the past: “He became ill suddenly.”
- Past participle usage in perfect tenses: “They have become close friends.”
- Changes over time or transitions: “The tradition has become less common.”
Note: “Become” differs from “be” (state), “get” (more informal/active change), or “turn into” (physical or metaphorical transformation).
4. Structural Breakdown
4.1 Base Form, Simple Past, Past Participle Table
| Base Form | Simple Past | Past Participle | Present Participle | Third Person Singular Present |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| become | became | become | becoming | becomes |
4.2 Forming Simple Past with “Became”
The simple past uses “became” alone without auxiliary verbs:
Structure: Subject + became + complement
Examples:
- “She became a doctor.”
- “The city became very crowded.”
- “He became angry quickly.”
4.3 Forming Negatives and Questions (Simple Past)
In negatives and questions, we use “did” + base form “become”:
Negative Structure: Subject + did not / didn’t + become + complement
Question Structure: Did + subject + become + complement?
Examples:
- Negative: “They did not become friends until later.”
- Question: “Did she become upset after the news?”
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Affirmative | He became tired. |
| Negative | He did not become tired. |
| Question | Did he become tired? |
4.4 Past Perfect with “Become”
To express an action completed before another past event, use the past perfect:
Structure: Subject + had + become + complement
Examples:
- “By morning, the river had become dangerously high.”
- “She had become frustrated before the meeting started.”
4.5 Passive Voice with “Become” (rare but possible)
While “become” is typically intransitive, it sometimes appears in passive constructions indicating ongoing transformation:
Structure: Subject + be + becoming + past participle
Examples:
- “The city was quickly becoming modernized.”
- “The building was becoming abandoned over time.”
4.6 Continuous Past Forms
Use continuous forms to describe ongoing changes in the past:
- Past Continuous: was/were + becoming
- “She was becoming more confident.”
- Past Perfect Continuous: had been + becoming
- “They had been becoming increasingly worried.”
5. Types or Categories
5.1 Simple Past vs. Past Participle
It’s essential to distinguish:
- Simple Past (“became”) describes a completed action in the past.
- Past Participle (“become”) is used with auxiliary verbs (have/has/had) to form perfect tenses.
| Form | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Past (“became”) |
She became nervous during the interview. | Completed action/event in the past. |
| Past Participle (“become”) |
She has become more confident since then. | Result of past action affecting the present. |
5.2 Active vs. Passive Uses
- Active: “John became a teacher.”
- Passive: (rare) “The area was becoming industrialized.”
5.3 Formal vs. Informal Usage
“Become” is neutral-formal. Informal alternatives include:
- “Get” (“He got angry”)
- “Turn into” (“The caterpillar turned into a butterfly”)
- “Grow” (“She grew tired”)
5.4 Idiomatic Expressions with Past Forms
Common idioms include:
- Became clear – was understood
- Became apparent – was obvious
- Had become second nature – became automatic/habitual
- Became a household name – became widely known
- Became history – ceased to exist
6. Examples Section
6.1 Simple Past Affirmative
- “The weather became colder overnight.”
- “He became interested in photography last year.”
- “The city became a tourist hotspot.”
- “She became a nurse after college.”
- “They became friends quickly.”
- “My grandfather became a farmer at a young age.”
- “The task became easier with practice.”
- “Suddenly, everything became silent.”
- “It became clear that he was right.”
- “The problem became worse over time.”
6.2 Simple Past Negative & Questions
Negatives:
- “They didn’t become friends until college.”
- “She did not become angry with him.”
- “He didn’t become aware of the issue.”
- “The project did not become profitable.”
- “The rumors didn’t become public.”
Questions:
- “Did she become upset after the news?”
- “Did the job become easier over time?”
- “Did they become close quickly?”
- “Did the weather become unbearable?”
- “Did it become obvious to everyone?”
6.3 Perfect Tenses with Past Participle
- “She has become a leader in her field.”
- “We had become tired by the end of the hike.”
- “He has become more confident recently.”
- “They have become accustomed to the climate.”
- “By the time she arrived, it had become too late.”
- “The tradition has become less popular.”
- “The city has become more diverse.”
- “Over the years, he has become fluent in English.”
- “The issue had become serious before anyone noticed.”
- “Their friendship has become stronger.”
6.4 Passive/Continuous Forms
- “The project was becoming more complicated.”
- “The neighborhood was becoming noisier.”
- “The weather was becoming unpredictable.”
- “The child was becoming restless.”
- “The company was becoming well-known.”
6.5 Idiomatic and Formal Examples
- “It became clear that the plan had failed.”
- “It became apparent that he was innocent.”
- “By then, it had become second nature to check the door.”
- “She became a household name after the show.”
- “The practice has become outdated.”
- “The old law became history after the reform.”
- “It became obvious that changes were needed.”
- “The warning became a reality during the storm.”
- “This phrase has become common in modern English.”
- “The rule had become ingrained in the culture.”
6.6 Tables of Examples
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Affirmative | She became rich. |
| Negative | She did not become rich. |
| Question | Did she become rich? |
| Tense | Example |
|---|---|
| Present Perfect | They have become experts. |
| Past Perfect | They had become experts. |
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Became clear | Was understood |
| Became apparent | Was obvious |
| Had become second nature | Became automatic/habitual |
| Became a household name | Became widely known |
| Became history | Ceased to exist |
7. Usage Rules
7.1 When to Use “Became”
Use “became” for:
- Completed actions in the past: “In 2005, she became a citizen.”
- Actions with past time markers: yesterday, last night, two days ago.
- “The sky became cloudy yesterday.”
7.2 When to Use “Become” (Past Participle)
Use “become” with:
- “have/has” (present perfect): “She has become very skilled.”
- “had” (past perfect): “It had become too late.”
Note: never use “become” alone as a past simple form.
7.3 Choosing Between “Became” and “Become”
- Identify if the sentence describes a completed past action or a result/state.
- Check for auxiliary verbs:
- If no auxiliary, use became.
- If have/has/had, use become.
- Remember: “became” cannot be used after “have/has/had”.
7.4 Subject-Verb Agreement
“Became” and “become” forms do not change with singular or plural subjects. Agreement is handled by auxiliaries:
- “He has become…” vs. “They have become…”
- “She became…” vs. “They became…”
7.5 Time Expressions Compatibility
- Simple Past (“became”): yesterday, last week, in 2010, ago
- Present Perfect (“has/have become”): recently, lately, so far, since, already
- Past Perfect (“had become”): by then, before, after
7.6 Common Exceptions & Special Cases
- Reported Speech: “He said, ‘I became tired.'” → He said he had become tired.
- Backshifting: Present perfect in direct speech changes to past perfect in reported speech.
8. Common Mistakes
8.1 Using “Become” Instead of “Became” in Simple Past
- Incorrect: “She become angry yesterday.”
- Correct: “She became angry yesterday.”
8.2 Using “Became” with Have/Had
- Incorrect: “She has became a nurse.”
- Correct: “She has become a nurse.”
8.3 Confusing Continuous with Perfect
- Incorrect: “She was became interested.”
- Correct: “She was becoming interested.”
8.4 Overusing “Become” When Alternatives Are Better
- Instead of “He became angry,” you might use:
- “He got angry” (informal, natural)
- “He grew angry” (gradual change)
- “He turned red with anger” (physical/metaphorical)
8.5 Table of Common Mistakes and Corrections
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| She become a teacher last year. | She became a teacher last year. |
| They has become experts. | They have become experts. |
| He was became angry. | He was becoming angry. |
| She has became famous. | She has become famous. |
| I didn’t became aware. | I didn’t become aware. |
9. Practice Exercises
9.1 Fill-in-the-Blank (Answers below)
- Yesterday, he ___ very tired. (became)
- In 2000, the town ___ a city. (became)
- She has ___ more confident. (become)
- They ___ friends during college. (became)
- By morning, the river had ___ dangerous. (become)
- Did you ___ aware of the problem? (become)
- I ___ sick last night. (became)
- He has ___ a better player. (become)
- We had ___ worried before the news arrived. (become)
- Suddenly, it ___ quiet. (became)
9.2 Correct the Errors
- She has became the team captain. → She has become the team captain.
- They become rich last year. → They became rich last year.
- He was became angry. → He was becoming angry.
- We didn’t became aware. → We didn’t become aware.
- Has she became famous? → Has she become famous?
- The problem become worse yesterday. → The problem became worse yesterday.
- They has become experts. → They have become experts.
- She had became tired. → She had become tired.
- Did he became upset? → Did he become upset?
- I has become interested. → I have become interested.
9.3 Identify the Tense
- She became angry. (Simple Past)
- They have become close. (Present Perfect)
- He had become tired. (Past Perfect)
- Did she become upset? (Simple Past)
- We were becoming friends. (Past Continuous)
- It has become clear. (Present Perfect)
- They became aware. (Simple Past)
- She had become frustrated. (Past Perfect)
- I became sick. (Simple Past)
- They have become leaders. (Present Perfect)
9.4 Sentence Construction
- Write a sentence with “became” about a past career change.
Example: “He became a chef after college.” - Write a sentence with “has become” about a hobby.
Example: “Gardening has become my favorite activity.” - Write a sentence with “had become” about a problem.
Example: “The issue had become serious before anyone noticed.” - Write a negative sentence with “did not become.”
Example: “They did not become friends immediately.” - Write a question with “Did … become?”
Example: “Did the news become public quickly?”
9.5 Challenge: Rewrite in Different Past Tenses
- Original: “She became famous.”
- Present Perfect: “She has become famous.”
- Past Perfect: “She had become famous.”
- Original: “They have become friends.”
- Simple Past: “They became friends.”
10. Advanced Topics
10.1 Subjunctive and Hypothetical Uses
In conditionals or hypotheticals:
- “If he had become aware earlier, he would have acted.”
- “Had the weather become worse, we would have left.”
10.2 Sequence of Tenses in Reported Speech
- Direct: “She said, ‘I have become tired.'”
- Reported: “She said she had become tired.”
10.3 Stylistic Nuances
- “Become” is more formal than “get.”
- In academic writing, “has become” often indicates developments.
- In literature, “became” can imply sudden or significant change.
10.4 Regional and Dialectal Variations
- Generally consistent across English varieties.
- Informal dialects might prefer “got” over “became.”
10.5 Comparison with Similar Verbs Expressing Change
| Verb | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Become | He became angry. | Neutral/formal, focus on change of state. |
| Get | He got angry. | Informal, sudden change. |
| Turn into | The caterpillar turned into a butterfly. | Physical/metaphorical transformation. |
| Grow | She grew impatient. | Gradual change. |
| Develop into | The hobby developed into a career. | Process of change over time. |
11. FAQ Section
1. What is the simple past tense of “become”?
The simple past tense is “became”.
2. What is the past participle of “become”?
The past participle is “become”.
3. Why isn’t the past tense of “become” “becomed”?
Because “become” is irregular. It doesn’t follow the regular -ed pattern.
4. How do I know when to use “became” vs. “become”?
Use “became” for simple past without auxiliary verbs. Use “become” with auxiliaries like “have/has/had” in perfect tenses.
5. Can “become” be used in the passive voice?
Rarely as the main verb, but it can appear in passive-like constructions describing process or change: “The city was becoming modernized.”
6. Is “become” a regular or irregular verb?
Irregular.
7. What are some common mistakes with “became” and “become”?
Mixing forms incorrectly, like “has became”, or using “become” alone in past simple.
8. How do I form questions with “became”?
Use “Did + subject + become + complement?” For example: “Did she become upset?”
9. What are idiomatic expressions with “became”?
“Became clear,” “became apparent,” “had become second nature,” “became history,” among others.
10. Are there synonyms for “become” in the past tense?
Yes: “got,” “turned into,” “grew,” “developed into,” depending on context.
11. How is “become” used in perfect tenses?
With “have/has/had” to indicate a change completed before now or another past event.
12. Can you give more advanced examples of “become” in past tense?
Certainly. “If he had become aware earlier, he would have acted differently.” “By then, the issue had become more complex.”
12. Conclusion
In summary, “became” is the simple past form of “become,” while “become” serves as the past participle. Distinguishing these forms ensures grammatical accuracy and enhances clarity. Use “became” for completed actions in the past, and “become” with perfect tenses or continuous forms where appropriate.
Continued practice with the examples and exercises above will help solidify understanding. Mastery of irregular verbs like “become” is crucial for fluency, enabling more natural and confident communication.
For further improvement, study other irregular verbs and their past tense patterns.
Remember: precise verb usage enriches your writing, storytelling, and everyday conversations. Keep practicing, and soon the correct forms will become second nature.