What Does โBecome of sbโ Mean?
โBecome of sbโ means to find out what has happened to someone, especially when their current situation is unknown or uncertain.
Introduction
The phrase โbecome of sbโ is a common English expression used when asking about the fate or current situation of a person. It often appears in questions like โWhat has become of him?โ or โWhat will become of her?โ The become of sb meaning revolves around curiosity about someoneโs life, especially when they have been missing or out of contact for a while. This phrase is useful in both spoken and written English, helping speakers express concern or interest in othersโ circumstances. Understanding how to use โbecome of sbโ correctly will improve your conversational skills and make your English sound more natural.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: become of somebody
- Type: Intransitive (usually in questions)
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Meaning: To find out what has happened to someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
The phrase โbecome of sbโ is inseparable and usually appears in questions or statements about someoneโs fate or situation.
- Pattern: What + become + of + somebody?
- Note: It does not separate or take a direct object in between.
Examples:
- What has become of your brother?
- Do you know what will become of the lost children?
How to Use โBecome of sbโ?
You use โbecome of sbโ mainly when you want to ask or talk about what happened to someone, especially if that person has disappeared, changed, or is no longer present. It often expresses concern, curiosity, or uncertainty. This phrase is common in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more frequent in questions or reflective statements.
Commonly, it appears in questions like:
- What has become of Sarah?
- Do you know what will become of the refugees?
It can also be used in statements or storytelling:
- No one knows what became of the missing hikers.
Examples
- What has become of John since he moved away?
- I wonder what will become of the old factory.
- She asked what had become of her childhood friend.
- Do you know what became of the documents after the fire?
- Itโs sad to think what has become of the town after the flood.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: What become of him?
- Correct: What has become of him?
- Incorrect: What did become of him?
- Correct: What became of him?
- Incorrect: What has become him of?
- Correct: What has become of him?
Differences / Synonyms
โBecome of sbโ is similar to phrases like turn out or happen to, but it specifically asks about someoneโs fate or situation. For example:
- Become of sb: What has become of Lisa? (asking about her current situation)
- Turn out: How did the story turn out? (asking about the outcome)
- Happen to: What happened to Mike? (asking about an event or incident)
The key difference is that โbecome of sbโ focuses on the personโs fate or condition over time, while โhappen toโ focuses on specific events.
Common Collocations
- What has become of someone?
- What will become of the children?
- What became of the missing person?
- What has become of the old house?
- What will become of the project?
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of become of sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Have you heard from Mark lately?
Ben: No, I havenโt. I wonder what has become of him.
Anna: Me too. He disappeared after moving to the city.
Ben: Hopefully, heโs doing well.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of โbecome ofโ:
- Do you know what ____________ the old library after it closed?
- What ____________ your classmates from high school?
- She asked me what had ____________ the lost puppy.
FAQs
- Q: Is โbecome of sbโ formal or informal?
It can be used in both formal and informal situations. - Q: Can I use โbecome ofโ with things, not people?
Yes, it can refer to people, animals, or objects. - Q: What tense is correct with โbecome of sbโ?
You can use past (became), present perfect (has become), or future (will become) depending on context. - Q: Is โbecome of sbโ separable?
No, the phrase is inseparable; โofโ always follows โbecome.โ
