become

Everyday

1. To become is to start to be something. A seed becomes a plant. tree →
2. To become is to change into something new over time, like a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. tree →
3. Something becomes you if it looks nice on you (old-fashioned: «that dress becomes you»). tree →

In the lessons

marks the new amount after a change: «the number becomes 20»; often after a change, ask what the start was; in science: water becomes ice when it freezes, tadpoles become frogs; in stories: a frog becomes a prince; in everyday life: «become friends», «become tired», «become a doctor when I grow up»

Examples

• After he gave away 5, his marbles became 12. tree →
• The price became $8. tree →
• The tadpoles become frogs. tree →
• How many did it become? tree →
• Water becomes ice at 0 degrees Celsius. tree →
• I want to become a vet when I grow up. tree →
• The two girls became best friends. tree →
• The sky became dark and it started to rain. tree →
• A caterpillar becomes a butterfly. tree →
• It will soon become like ice. tree →

Note

It points to the result of a change. Trap: if you know the result and the change, undo the change to find the start (gave away 5, became 12 → started with 17). Irregular: become, became, (has) become. Not «becomed».

In Jewish tradition

marks the new amount after a change: «the number becomes 20»; often after a change, ask what the start was; in science: water becomes ice when it freezes, tadpoles become frogs; in stories: a frog becomes a prince; in everyday life: «become friends», «become tired», «become a doctor when I grow up»

Examples

• Art thou become like unto us? (Prophets ISA.14.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• Why is he become a prey? (Prophets JER.2.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• How is the gold become dim! (Writings LAM.4.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

It points to the result of a change. Trap: if you know the result and the change, undo the change to find the start (gave away 5, became 12 → started with 17). Irregular: become, became, (has) become. Not «becomed».