Will Be vs. Will Become – Which is Correct?
“Will be” and “will become” are both correct, but they express different ideas. Use “will be” for a future state, identity, location, or condition. Use “will become” for a change or development into a new state. The best choice depends on whether you describe a future situation or transformation clearly.
Because both expressions discuss future time, comparing them with Would vs. Will can clarify how modal verbs express different meanings.
Will Be or Will Become – Which Is Correct?
“Will be” and “will become” are both correct American English expressions. The difference is meaning. “Will be” describes what someone or something is expected to be in the future. “Will become” emphasizes a transition, development, or change from one condition into another.
Use will be when you are stating a future fact, condition, identity, location, role, or event. Use will become when a person or thing changes and takes on a new quality, status, role, or form.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the change test: ask whether the subject is moving from one state to another. If there is no important change, choose will be. If the sentence describes a transformation, choose will become.
For example, “Maya will be a manager next year” identifies her future role. “Maya will become a manager next year” highlights her promotion and movement from her current role into management.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| will be | Future verb phrase | Describes a future state, identity, condition, place, or event | The meeting will be online. |
| will become | Future verb phrase | Describes a future change or transformation | The small town will become a major tourist destination. |
How to Use Will Be
Use will be to describe a future condition, identity, location, role, event, or characteristic. It is often neutral and factual. The expression does not necessarily suggest that a change has taken place; it simply presents the situation expected to exist in the future.
“Will be” can be followed by a noun, adjective, adverbial phrase, prepositional phrase, or present participle. It is common in everyday conversation, formal writing, predictions, schedules, announcements, and professional communication.
Example 1: The office will be closed on Monday.
Example 2: Jordan will be the team leader during the next project.
Example 3: The presentation will be ready by noon.
What Are the Different Forms of Will Be?
The expression will be uses the modal auxiliary will followed by the base form of the irregular verb be. The same form is used with every subject: I will be, you will be, she will be, we will be, and they will be.
The negative form is will not be or the contraction won’t be. Questions place will before the subject, as in “Will they be available?” The phrase may also be followed by a present participle to form the future progressive: “She will be working tomorrow.”
Etymology of the Phrase Will Be
Will comes from the Old English verb willan, meaning “to wish,” “to desire,” or “to intend.” Over time, it developed into an auxiliary used to express futurity. Be derives from several ancient forms of the Indo-European verb for existence, including Old English beon and wesan. Together, “will be” expresses a future state or existence.
How to Use Will Become
Use will become when you want to emphasize that a person, object, organization, or situation will change into a different state. The change may involve growth, development, promotion, conversion, recognition, or a shift in identity.
“Will become” is often more dynamic than “will be.” It directs attention to the process or result of transformation. It can be used in casual conversation, academic writing, business communication, journalism, and formal descriptions of future developments.
Example 1: With more experience, Lina will become a highly effective researcher.
Example 2: The vacant warehouse will become a community arts center.
Example 3: If the trend continues, renewable energy will become more affordable.
What Are the Different Forms of Will Become?
The expression will become uses will followed by the base form become. It has the same form with every subject: I will become, he will become, we will become, and they will become.
The negative forms are will not become and won’t become. Questions include “Will the plan become successful?” Other forms of the verb include becomes in the present tense, became in the past tense, and become as both the past participle and base form. For example: “The area has become safer.”
Etymology of the Phrase Will Become
Become comes from the Old English word becuman, meaning “to come to,” “arrive,” or “happen.” It later developed the meaning “to come to be” or “change into.” Combined with will, the phrase “will become” refers to a future transition or development.
Related Concepts
Understanding future forms and linking verbs makes the difference between “will be” and “will become” easier to recognize.
- Future with will: The modal will can express predictions, decisions, promises, and expected future situations. It is followed by the base form of a verb.
- Linking verbs: Verbs such as be and become connect a subject with a description, identity, or resulting state rather than describing a direct action on an object.
- Stative meaning: “Will be” commonly presents a state or condition, such as being ready, present, tired, or available.
- Change-of-state meaning: “Will become” signals movement from one condition or identity to another, such as becoming stronger, more valuable, or successful.
Examples from Media and Literature
The distinction appears frequently in journalism, fiction, film dialogue, and public announcements. The following examples show how each expression works in realistic media and literary contexts.
- News reporting: “The new transportation line will be open to passengers in September.” This announces a future condition or status.
- Business reporting: “The merger will become one of the largest deals in the company’s history.” This emphasizes the result of a developing change.
- Film dialogue: “You will be safe here.” This describes the person’s expected future condition.
- Historical fiction: “One day, she will become a leader of her people.” This focuses on a transformation in role and status.
- Environmental writing: “The protected forest will become a refuge for endangered species.” This describes what the forest is expected to develop into.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct expression, will be or will become, to complete each sentence.
- After the renovation, the library ______ more accessible to visitors.
- The final exam ______ on Friday morning.
- With continued practice, Amir ______ an excellent pianist.
- The weather ______ cooler after sunset.
- That small startup ______ a major technology company.
Answer Key
- will become — The sentence emphasizes a change in accessibility.
- will be — The sentence gives the future time of an event.
- will become — The sentence describes development into a new ability or status.
- will be — The sentence describes a future condition.
- will become — The sentence emphasizes business growth and transformation.
Will Be Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| is expected to be | Describes a future state that is anticipated. |
| is scheduled to be | Describes a planned future event or condition. |
| is going to be | An informal expression for an expected future state. |
| is set to be | A common formal or journalistic expression for an anticipated state. |
Will Become Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| will turn into | Will change into another form, state, or identity. |
| will develop into | Will gradually grow or progress into something different. |
| will grow into | Will naturally develop into a new role, condition, or form. |
| will evolve into | Will gradually change, often through a complex process. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “will be” or “will become” more correct?
Both are grammatically correct. Choose “will be” for a future state or fact, and choose “will become” when emphasizing a change or transformation.
Question 2: Can “will be” and “will become” be used in the same sentence?
Yes. For example, “The building will be empty before it becomes a museum.” The first phrase describes its condition, while the second describes the change into a new use.
Question 3: Is “will become” more formal than “will be”?
Not necessarily. Both expressions work in formal and informal contexts. “Will become” may sound more precise when the sentence focuses on development or a change of state.
Question 4: Is “become” an irregular verb?
Yes. Its main forms are become, became, and become. The future form is “will become.”
Conclusion
Use will be to describe a future state, identity, location, condition, or event. Use will become to highlight a transition into a new state, role, or form. When choosing between them, apply the change test: if transformation matters, use “will become”; otherwise, “will be” is usually the natural choice. Pro Tip: Precise verb choices make professional writing clearer and strengthen your credibility.
