English verbs can be sneaky. Some change forms in ways that don’t follow standard rules. One of the most commonly confused examples is the difference between “become” and “became.”
At first glance, they look similar—almost twins—but they play completely different roles in sentences.
If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering, “Do I say become or became here?” you’re not alone.
This guide breaks everything down with clarity, examples, and a friendly tone that makes grammar feel less like a chore and more like a simple conversation.
Let’s jump in.
Understanding the Basics of Become vs Became
English verbs come in tenses, and the tense tells us when something happened. With irregular verbs like become, the change from present to past doesn’t follow the usual “-ed” pattern.
Here’s the simple truth:
- Become = present tense
- Became = past tense
- Become (again!) = past participle used in perfect tenses
Think of them as siblings, each with a job:
- Become handles the “now.”
- Became handles the “before.”
- Become (past participle) jumps in when we’re connecting the past to the present.
This foundation will help everything else make sense.
The Base Form “Become”: What It Really Means
The word become simply means “to change into something” or “to start being something.”
It’s used in the present tense, especially when the subject is plural or when we’re speaking about general truths.
When to Use “Become”
Use become when:
- Talking about ongoing or current changes
- Describing general facts or truths
- Using modal verbs like can, may, might, will, or could
Examples of “Become” in Present Tense
Correct:
- People become more confident when they practice public speaking.
- Children become curious when they explore new environments.
- I become motivated when I set clear goals.
- Habits can become powerful forces in your daily routine.
Incorrect:
- ❌ She become tired after the long trip.
(Wrong tense; should be became)
Quick Tip
If the action is happening now or happens regularly, become is almost always the right choice.
The Simple Past Form “Became”: Understanding Its Purpose
The word became is the simple past tense of become.
It describes changes or transformations that already happened and are finished.
When to Use “Became”
Use became when:
- The event happened in the past
- The moment of change is completely over
- You’re telling a story in past tense
Correct Examples of “Became”
- She became a skilled writer over the years.
- The weather became colder overnight.
- They became best friends in college.
- The project became complicated when new requirements came in.
Incorrect:
- ❌ He has became angry many times.
(Became cannot be used in perfect tenses)
Pro Tip
If you can attach “yesterday,” “last year,” or “in 2012” to the sentence, became is probably the right fit.
Become vs Becomes: The Simple Present Tense Difference
English adds a twist—subject-verb agreement.
- Become is used with I, you, we, they
- Becomes is used with he, she, it
Examples:
- She becomes nervous before exams.
- He becomes excited when talking about football.
- They become frustrated when technology fails.
- I become more productive in the morning.
Just remember:
Singular noun? Add the “s.”
Plural noun or I/you? No “s.”
Present Perfect Tense: “Has Become” and “Have Become”
Now we enter the world of past participles. This is where many learners get confused.
The present perfect tense connects past actions to current results.
Here’s what you need to know:
Has Become
Use has become with:
- He
- She
- It
- Singular nouns
Examples:
- She has become more patient over time.
- The city has become a popular tourist spot.
Have Become
Use have become with:
- I
- You
- We
- They
- Plural nouns
Examples:
- I have become more confident.
- They have become experts in their field.
Why “Has Became” Is Always Incorrect
This is a common mistake.
- “Has” and “have” must always be followed by the past participle, not the simple past.
Since the past participle of become is become, “has became” will always be wrong.
Correct:
- He has become
Incorrect: - ❌ He has became
The Subtleties of “Would Become”
“Would become” appears in conditional sentences, polite predictions, and hypothetical scenarios.
Use it when:
- Talking about something possible under certain conditions
- Referring to future events from a past perspective
- Predicting habits or repeated actions
Examples
- If he practiced regularly, he would become a great pianist.
- She said she would become a teacher someday.
- The situation would become worse without immediate action.
Think of “would become” as describing change that depends on something else.
Comparison Table: Become vs Became vs Becomes vs Has Become vs Have Become
| Verb Form | Tense | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| become | Present / Base | General truths, ongoing change, plural subjects | They become tired easily. |
| becomes | Present | Singular subjects | She becomes confident quickly. |
| became | Simple Past | Completed actions | He became frustrated yesterday. |
| has become | Present Perfect | Past → present result | The town has become quieter. |
| have become | Present Perfect | Plural or “I/you” subjects | We have become better friends. |
| would become | Conditional / Hypothetical | Dependent or predicted change | He would become a leader with training. |
Memory Tricks to Never Confuse Become vs Became Again
1. The Timeline Trick
- Become is “now.”
- Became is “then.”
- Has/Have become is “then → now.”
2. The “S” Rule
If the subject is singular → add “s”: becomes
3. The “Has Became” Red Flag
If you see “has,” mentally check:
“Has” always needs a past participle → that’s become, never became.
4. The Sound Test
Say the sentence out loud.
If it feels like a completed moment in the past, became is your friend.
5. The Color Change Analogy
Think of “become” as a plant growing right now,
and “became” as a flower that already bloomed yesterday.
Mini Case Study: How Grammar Changes Meaning
Let’s look at three short examples to see how choosing the wrong form changes the meaning completely.
Case Study 1: Career Transformation
- Correct: She became a doctor in 2020. (Completed event in past)
- Incorrect: She become a doctor in 2020. (Wrong tense)
Case Study 2: Habits
- Correct: He becomes restless when he waits too long. (Regular habit)
- Incorrect: He became restless when he waits too long. (Mixing tenses)
Case Study 3: Long-Term Change
- Correct: They have become more responsible. (Past → present)
- Incorrect: They have became more responsible. (Wrong form)
The difference is small but powerful.
Expert Insights
“The wrong verb tense can completely change the timeline of your sentence. Understanding become vs became isn’t just about grammar—it’s about clarity.”
“Irregular verbs follow patterns of meaning, not spelling. Once you understand the role each verb form plays, everything else becomes intuitive.”
FAQs About Become vs Became
What is the difference between “become” and “became”?
Become is present tense; became is simple past tense.
Can “became” be used in perfect tenses?
No. Perfect tenses need the past participle, which is become.
Is “has became” grammatically correct?
No. The correct form is has become.
When should I use “becomes”?
Use becomes with singular subjects like he, she, it, or singular nouns.
How can I remember when to use “became”?
Use became when the action is fully completed in the past.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between become and became doesn’t have to be confusing. Once you know their roles—present vs past, simple vs perfect, conditional vs habitual—choosing the right one becomes second nature.
Your sentences become clearer.
Your communication becomes stronger.
And your confidence with English grammar becomes unstoppable.
If you want, I can also create worksheets, quizzes, or examples tailored to your level.
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.
