Became vs. Become
“Became” and “become” are different forms of the irregular verb “become.” “Became” is the simple past, while “become” is the past participle used in perfect constructions.
Use “became” for the simple past and “become” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Grammar job | Use | Example pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Simple past | became | She became chair last year. |
| Past participle after have/has/had | become | She has become chair. |
| Base form or present plural form | become | They become more confident with practice. |
Quick tests
Auxiliary test
Is the form directly governed by have, has, or had?
If yes: Use the past participle “become.”
If no: If you need a standalone simple-past verb, use “became.”
Caveat: Other present or infinitive constructions also use “become,” so do not treat “become” as only a past participle.
Examples
He became more confident after the course.
The sentence needs the simple past.
He has become more confident after the course.
After “has,” use the past participle “become.”
He has became more confident.
Better: He has become more confident.
Perfect constructions require the past participle.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Became” is the simple-past form of “become”; “become” is the past participle used with auxiliaries such as have, has, or had.
Fast Test
If have, has, or had directly governs the form of “become,” choose “become.” For a standalone finite past-tense verb, choose “became.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Become — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Dictionary evidence for the irregular forms become, became, become and their simple-past/past-participle roles.