Become vs Come: When To Use Each One In Writing?

Have you ever found yourself confused about whether to use “become” or “come” in a sentence? It’s a common mistake, but fear not! We’re here to clear things up for you.

We should establish which of the two is the proper word to use. The answer is: it depends on the context of the sentence. Both words have their own unique meanings and uses.

“Become” is a verb that means to undergo a change or transformation, usually to a different state or condition. For example, “She became a doctor after years of studying.” In this sentence, “become” is used to indicate a change in profession.

“Come,” on the other hand, is also a verb, but it means to move towards or arrive at a particular place or destination. For example, “He came to the party last night.” In this sentence, “come” is used to indicate the person’s arrival at the party.

Now that we’ve established the meanings of each word, let’s dive deeper into their uses and how to properly use them in a sentence.

Define Become

Become is a verb that refers to the process of changing or developing into something different or new. It is often used to describe a transformation or a transition from one state to another. The word become can also be used to indicate the attainment of a certain status or position.

For example, one might say, “She has become a successful businesswoman,” to indicate that she has achieved a certain level of success in her career. The word become can also be used to describe a change in personality or character. For instance, “He has become more confident and outgoing since starting his new job.”

Define Come

Come is a verb that refers to the act of moving or traveling from one place to another. It can be used to describe both physical and metaphorical movement, such as the passage of time or the progression of a situation. The word come is often used in conjunction with prepositions such as “to” or “from” to indicate the direction of the movement.

For example, one might say, “I am coming to visit you this weekend,” to indicate that they will be traveling to the recipient’s location. The word come can also be used to describe the arrival of a person or object, as in the sentence, “The package has finally come.”

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Proper usage of words is essential in effective communication. The words “become” and “come” are often confused and used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately. Here’s how to use them correctly in a sentence:

How To Use “Become” In A Sentence

“Become” is a verb that means to begin to be or develop into something. It is often used to describe a change or transformation. Here are some examples:

• She wants to become a doctor when she grows up.
• After years of hard work, he finally became a successful businessman.
• The caterpillar will soon become a butterfly.

When using “become” in a sentence, it is important to note that it is always followed by an adjective, noun, or phrase that describes the change or transformation. For example:

• He became angry when he heard the news.
• She became more confident after taking public speaking classes.
• The city became a bustling metropolis over the years.

How To Use “Come” In A Sentence

“Come” is a verb that has multiple meanings, but it is often used to indicate movement towards the speaker or the listener. Here are some examples:

• He asked her to come to the party with him.
• The train will come to a stop at the next station.
• She came to visit me at the hospital.

When using “come” in a sentence, it is important to note the tense and context in which it is being used. For example:

• He came to the realization that he needed to change his ways.
• She has come a long way since she started her business.
• They will come to regret their decision in the future.

Overall, understanding the proper usage of “become” and “come” can greatly improve your writing and communication skills. By following these guidelines, you can effectively convey your message and avoid confusion or misunderstandings.

More Examples Of Become & Come Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between “become” and “come,” it’s helpful to examine more examples of how they are used in sentences. Here are some examples:

Examples Of Using “Become” In A Sentence:

• After years of hard work, she finally became a doctor.
• The caterpillar will soon become a butterfly.
• He hopes to become a professional athlete someday.
• The soup will become tastier if you add some spices.
• With practice, you can become a skilled musician.
• She has become more confident since starting her new job.
• He wants to become fluent in Spanish.
• The old building will become a new hotel next year.
• She became angry when she heard the news.
• He became famous after winning the award.

Examples Of Using “Come” In A Sentence:

• She said she would come to the party tonight.
• He came to the meeting late.
• The sun will come out tomorrow.
• They came all the way from Australia to visit.
• She came down with the flu last week.
• He came up with a great idea for the project.
• The truth will eventually come out.
• We’re hoping the rain will come soon to water the crops.
• He came across as very confident during the interview.
• She came to the realization that she needed to change her habits.

These examples demonstrate how “become” and “come” can be used in different ways to convey different meanings. It’s important to choose the right word based on the context of the sentence in order to effectively communicate your message.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using English language, there are a few common mistakes that people make while using become and come interchangeably. It is important to understand that these two words have different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Come” Instead Of “Become”

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “come” instead of “become”. Both words are used to describe changes, but they are used in different contexts. “Come” is used when something or someone moves towards a specific location, while “become” is used to describe a change in state or condition. For example, “I will come to your house” means that I will move towards your house, while “I will become a doctor” means that I will change my profession.

Using “Become” Instead Of “Come”

Another common mistake people make is using “become” instead of “come”. This mistake is often made by non-native English speakers. “Come” is used when something or someone moves towards a specific location, while “become” is used to describe a change in state or condition. For example, “I will come to the party” means that I will move towards the party, while “I will become happy” means that I will change my emotional state.

Using The Wrong Tense

Another common mistake people make is using the wrong tense while using become and come. For example, “I am coming a doctor” is incorrect because “coming” is present continuous tense and “become” is the correct word to use in this context. The correct sentence would be “I am becoming a doctor”.

Tips To Avoid Making These Mistakes

Here are some tips to avoid making these mistakes in the future:

• Read and listen to English language materials to improve your understanding of the language.
• Practice using become and come in different contexts to understand their meanings and usage.
• Ask a native English speaker to correct your mistakes and provide feedback.

Context Matters

Choosing between “become” and “come” can depend on the context in which they are used. Both words are verbs, but they have different meanings and uses.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “become” and “come” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Word Choice
Change in State	He has become a successful businessman.	Become
Movement Towards	The train will come to a stop at the station.	Come
Origin or Source	The idea came from a brainstorming session.	Come
Transformation	The caterpillar will become a butterfly.	Become

In the context of change in state or transformation, “become” is the correct word choice. For example, “He has become a successful businessman.” In the context of movement towards or origin/source, “come” is the correct word choice. For example, “The train will come to a stop at the station” or “The idea came from a brainstorming session.”

It is important to consider the context in which these words are used to ensure that the correct word choice is made. Using the wrong word can change the meaning of the sentence and lead to confusion.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “become” and “come” are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply. Here are some of those exceptions along with explanations and examples:

1. Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb that function as a single unit. In some cases, the use of “become” or “come” in these phrasal verbs might not follow the usual rules.

Phrasal Verb	Correct Usage	Incorrect Usage
come across	“I came across an interesting book at the library.”	“I became across an interesting book at the library.”
become of	“I wonder what will become of him.”	“I wonder what will come of him.”

2. Idioms

Idioms are phrases that have a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. In some cases, the use of “become” or “come” in these idioms might not follow the usual rules.

• “Come rain or shine” – meaning “no matter what happens”
• “Come what may” – meaning “regardless of what happens”
• “Become second nature” – meaning “to become very natural”
• “Become a reality” – meaning “to come true”

3. Regional Differences

There are some regional differences in how “become” and “come” are used. For example, in some parts of the United States, it is common to use “come” instead of “become” in certain situations.

• “I came sick” – meaning “I became sick”
• “The milk came sour” – meaning “The milk became sour”

It’s important to be aware of these exceptions to the rules so that you can use “become” and “come” correctly in different contexts.

Practice Exercises

Learning a new language can be challenging, but practice exercises can help improve understanding and usage. Here are some exercises to help you master the difference between become and come:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Complete the following sentences with either become or come:

1. She hopes to ________ a doctor one day.
2. He has ________ a long way since starting his new job.
3. They will ________ over for dinner tonight.
4. After the storm, the sun ________ out from behind the clouds.
5. He wants to ________ a professional athlete when he grows up.

Answer Key:

1. become
2. come
3. come
4. come
5. become

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of become or come:

1. She has always wanted to ________ a famous actress.
2. He ________ to the realization that he needed to make some changes in his life.
3. They ________ to visit us next week.
4. After years of hard work, he finally ________ a successful businessman.
5. The flowers in the garden have ________ in beautifully this spring.

Answer Key:

1. become
2. came
3. are coming
4. became
5. come

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and usage of become and come. Remember to pay attention to the context of the sentence to determine which word is appropriate to use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the difference between ‘become’ and ‘come’ is significant and should not be overlooked. While ‘become’ is used to describe a transformation or change in state, ‘come’ is used to describe a movement or change in location.

It is important to understand the proper usage of these words in order to effectively communicate your message and avoid confusion. Remember to pay attention to the context in which these words are used and consider the intended meaning.

Key Takeaways

• ‘Become’ is used to describe a transformation or change in state
• ‘Come’ is used to describe a movement or change in location
• Context is important in determining the proper usage of these words

By mastering the proper use of grammar and language, you can improve your communication skills and enhance your ability to convey your thoughts and ideas effectively. We encourage you to continue learning and expanding your knowledge in this area.