Conjugation of "Become" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
to start to be; to grow into or develop as a result of change
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All 12 Tenses of "Become"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "become" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I become |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I became |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will become |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am becoming |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was becoming |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be becoming |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have become |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had become |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have become |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been becoming |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been becoming |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been becoming |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Become" — Became
The past simple of "become" is "became". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "become" is irregular, "became" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.
- He became a doctor after studying for years. A2
- The weather became cold in December. A2
- She became interested in music when she was young. B1
Past Participle of "Become" — Become
The past participle of "become" is "become". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have become"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was become"). Because "become" is irregular, "become" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
Is "Become" Regular or Irregular?
"Become" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "become", past simple "became", and past participle "become". The 3rd-person singular present is "becomes" and the present participle/gerund is "becoming". Conjugation pattern: ablaut: i-a-e.
Conjugation pattern: ablaut: i-a-e
How to Pronounce "Become" and Its Forms
Become: /bɪˈkʌm/ — Stress pattern: oO
Stress the second syllable: bi-KUM. The 'o' sounds like the 'u' in 'cup'.
Syllable breakdown: be · come
How to Use "Become" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use with an adjective, noun, or prepositional phrase. Always takes a complement: 'became tired', 'became a lawyer', 'became part of the team'.
S + V + AdjS + V + NS + V + to-infinitive
Example Sentences with "Become" in Different Tenses
- Simple Past: He became a doctor after studying for years. A2
Common Collocations with "Become"
- become a (noun) — He wants to become an engineer.
- become + adjective — She became angry after hearing the news.
- become aware — They became aware of the problem too late.
- become accustomed — It takes time to become accustomed to a new culture.
- become known — The restaurant has become known for its seafood.
When to Use "Become" vs Similar Verbs
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- turn — when describing sudden or noticeable changes in state
- grow — when describing gradual change or development over time
Common Mistakes with "Become"
-
Wrong: She is becoming a teacher.
Correct: She is becoming a teacher. / She became a teacher.
Continuous is acceptable with "become" to show change in progress, but simple past for completed change is more natural. -
Wrong: It is becoming clear.
Correct: It is becoming clear. / It became clear.
"Becoming" can work when emphasizing the gradual process, but finished change uses simple tense. -
Wrong: He become angry.
Correct: He became angry.
Use past tense "became" for completed state change.
Origin and Etymology of "Become"
From Old English becuman, from be- (around) + cuman (come), literally to come to be.
Conjugation Tables for "Become"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not become · He does not become
- Simple past: I did not become · She did not become
- Present perfect: I have not become · He has not become
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you become? · Does he become?
- Simple past: Did you become?
- Present perfect: Have you become?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is become
- Simple past passive: It was become
- Present perfect passive: It has been become
Frequently Asked Questions About "Become"
- Is "become" regular or irregular?
- "become" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "became" and past participle is "become". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "become"?
- The simple past of "become" is "became".
- What's the difference between the past simple and past participle of "become"?
- The past simple is "became" and the past participle is "become". Use past simple for completed past actions ("I became yesterday"). Use past participle with have/has ("I have become").
- What's a common mistake with "become"?
- Continuous is acceptable with "become" to show change in progress, but simple past for completed change is more natural. Wrong: "She is becoming a teacher." Correct: "She is becoming a teacher. / She became a teacher."