Choosing between become and became can feel confusing when you’re trying to write clear English.
Both words come from the same verb, but they appear in different tenses and telldifferent stories about time, change, and transformation.
If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence and thought,
“Do I write become here… or became?”
you’re not alone.
This guide breaks everything down in a friendly, easy-to-read way so you can use become and became correctly every time.
Understanding the Verb “Become”
The word become is a unique verb. It describes a change from one state to another. Because transformation takes time, we use different forms of the verb depending on whether the change is happening now, happened before, or may happen later.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Base Form: “Become”
The base form is the verb in its simplest state: become.
You use the base form when:
- talking about the present
- talking about general truths
- talking about the future with “will”
- using the infinitive (to become)
What “Become” Really Means
To become means to start being, to grow into, or to change into something. It doesn’t happen instantly. It shows a process of transformation.
Examples of transformations:
- A student becomes a doctor
- A hobby becomes a career
- A seed becomes a plant
- An idea becomes a movement
This verb carries the meaning of evolution, progress, and change.
Examples of “Become” in Present Tense
Here are simple and clear examples to help you hear the rhythm of “become”:
- People often become more patient as they grow older.
- Clouds become darker before it rains.
- You become stronger when you practice daily.
- Good habits become part of your personality over time.
- Many dreams become reality when you’re consistent.
Every example shows change happening now or regularly.
Understanding “Became” (Past Tense)
Now let’s shift gears.
Where become focuses on the present or general truth, became belongs fully to the past.
What “Became” Represents
The word became is the simple past tense of “become.”
You use it when the transformation already happened and is completed.
Think of “became” as closing a chapter in time.
Quick Timeline
| Verb Form | Tense | Time |
|---|---|---|
| become | present | happening now or regularly |
| became | past | happened before and is finished |
Examples of “Became” in Past Tense
Here’s how “became” works in real sentences:
- She became a designer after finishing her degree.
- The weather became colder overnight.
- He became more confident last year.
- That small idea became a global company.
- The puppy became calmer as it grew.
You can feel that each transformation is complete—it’s already done.
Practical Usage: Become vs Became in Sentences
To really understand become vs became, it helps to see the words used correctly—and incorrectly. Mistakes teach your brain faster than rules alone.
Correct Uses of “Become”
- I want to become a better writer.
- They usually become restless by noon.
- Roads become slippery in winter.
- You become more confident with practice.
- My hands become cold quickly.
Incorrect Uses of “Become”
❌ Yesterday, I become tired.
✔️ Yesterday, I became tired.
❌ Last year, she become a teacher.
✔️ Last year, she became a teacher.
❌ He become famous overnight.
✔️ He became famous overnight.
Correct Uses of “Became”
- The city became crowded during the festival.
- She became fluent after two years of practice.
- The situation became complicated quickly.
- That book became my favorite.
- His voice became deeper as he grew older.
Incorrect Uses of “Became”
❌ I want to became a singer.
✔️ I want to become a singer.
❌ They usually became excited on Fridays.
✔️ They usually become excited on Fridays.
❌ The milk will became warm.
✔️ The milk will become warm.
Become vs Becomes
Now let’s talk about the third form that confuses many learners: becomes.
When to Use “Becomes”
You use becomes with singular subjects in the present tense.
Singular subjects include:
- he
- she
- it
- a singular noun (The child, The road, The idea)
Examples of “Becomes”
- She becomes nervous before speeches.
- He becomes happier when he travels.
- The room becomes quiet after midnight.
- A habit becomes part of your identity.
- The coffee becomes bitter when overbrewed.
Remember:
become = plural subjects or “I/you/we/they”
becomes = singular subjects
Present Perfect Forms: Has Become & Have Become
One of the biggest confusions in English grammar is knowing when to use:
- has become
- have become
- and why has became is wrong
Let’s clear it up.
“Has Become” and “Have Become” Explained
You use has become or have become to show:
- a change that started in the past
- and still affects the present
This is the present perfect tense.
Use “has become” with singular subjects
- She has become
- He has become
- It has become
- A singular noun has become
Use “have become” with plural subjects
- They have become
- We have become
- You have become
- Plural noun have become
Examples of “Has Become” and “Have Become”
- The city has become safer over the years.
- My dog has become calmer lately.
- We have become more aware of health.
- You have become more confident.
- The guidelines have become clearer.
These examples show past change that still matters today.
Why “Has Became” Is Wrong
This is one of the most frequent mistakes in English.
The reason is simple:
“Has” must be followed by the past participle, not the simple past.
- past participle = become
- simple past = became
So:
❌ She has became tired.
✔️ She has become tired.
❌ It has became clear.
✔️ It has become clear.
Conditional Form: “Would Become”
Sometimes you want to talk about something that might happen if a condition is met. That’s where would become steps in.
When to Use “Would Become”
You use “would become” when:
- imagining possibilities
- describing hypothetical situations
- predicting results
- giving advice
- discussing future conditions
Examples of “Would Become”
- If you practiced daily, you would become fluent faster.
- With more sunlight, the plant would become healthier.
- He would become a great leader if given a chance.
- This place would become crowded during holidays.
- Your idea would become successful with good marketing.
Quick Comparison Table: Become vs Became and Other Forms
Here’s a simple table you can screenshot and save:
| Form | Tense | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| become | Present | Now / general truth | You become stronger with practice. |
| becomes | Present (singular) | Singular subjects | She becomes nervous sometimes. |
| became | Past | Completed change | He became successful last year. |
| has become | Present Perfect | Past → present | She has become wiser. |
| have become | Present Perfect (plural) | Past → present | They have become close friends. |
| would become | Conditional | Hypothetical / future possibilities | He would become skilled with training. |
Case Study: How One Word Changes Meaning
Let’s look at a quick transformation story that shows how tense changes everything.
Scenario: A shy person growing confident
Present:
He becomes more confident every day.
(Change is happening regularly.)
Past:
He became confident after joining the debate club.
(Change is complete.)
Present Perfect:
He has become confident over the last two years.
(Change started in the past and continues.)
Conditional:
He would become confident if he practiced public speaking.
(Change is hypothetical.)
One simple verb—four different timelines.
Mini Quotes to Remember
“Become is now. Became is then.”
“Has become = past change, present result.”
“Would become = possibility, not reality yet.”
Sometimes short lines help your brain remember better.
FAQs: Become vs Became
What is the difference between become and became?
Become is the present tense. Became is the past tense. Use “become” for now or general truths and “became” for completed past events.
Can became be used in present perfect tense?
No. Present perfect requires the past participle become, not “became.”
Is “has became” correct?
No. The correct form is has become because perfect tenses use the past participle.
When should I use becomes instead of become?
Use becomes with singular subjects like he, she, it, or singular nouns.
How can I remember when to use became?
Use became only for completed past actions. If the change is done and over, use “became.”
Conclusion
Understanding become vs became gives you more confidence in your writing. These words help you express change, growth, and transformation—three powerful ideas in communication.
Here’s the quick cheat code:
- Become = now
- Becomes = now (singular)
- Became = past
- Has/Have become = past → present
- Would become = possibility
Once you see how each form fits into time, choosing the right one becomes natural. With practice your English won’t just improve—it’ll become clearer, smoother, and more confident.
Aiden Brooks is an educational writer dedicated to simplifying grammar for learners of all levels. He creates clear, practical explanations that help students read, write, and understand English with confidence.
