3 syllables: be, com, ing. Stress on com.
/bɪˈkʌmɪŋ/
Say it backBecoming is the present participle or gerund form of become, referring to the process of coming into being or developing into a particular state. In everyday use, it signals gradual change, transformation, or imminent occurrence, often functioning as an adjective (becoming beauty) or a verb form (becoming more confident). It encapsulates motion toward a result, implying ongoing progression rather than a completed state.
- Be careful not to reduce the second syllable too much; keep /ˈkʌmɪŋ/ prominent while the first syllable remains light. - Do not insert an extra vowel between /k/ and /m/; keep the sequence fast and clean as /ˈkʌmɪŋ/. - Avoid pronouncing the final -ing as /ɪŋ/ with a long vowel; maintain short /ɪŋ/ and a crisp /m/ release.
Tip: use a light, quick onset on /k/ and let the /m/ close the syllable with a small lip closure; your mouth should move from a neutral to a rounded, relaxed posture for the schwa.
"- The new policy is becoming more popular with each week."
"- She wore a becoming smile that lit up the room."
"- His becoming attitude toward learning helped him improve rapidly."
Becoming is pronounced /bəˈkʌmɪŋ/ in US and UK RP. The first syllable is unstressed /bə/, the second syllable carries primary stress /ˈkʌ/. The final -ing is /mɪŋ/. In practice, the sequence is a quick, light schwa then a stressed CLUSTER /ˈkʌmɪŋ/. For Australian speakers, expect the same rhythm with slightly sharper final consonant release. Listening reference: try Cambridge/Forvo pronunciations.
Common errors include over-pronouncing the initial syllable as /bəˈkəmɪŋ/ or misplacing stress as /bəˈkʌmɪŋ/; the second syllable should bear primary stress. Another error is pronouncing -ing as /ɪŋ/ without linking, or inserting an extra vowel in the middle (/bəˈkiːmɪŋ/). Correct by stressing the /kʌ/ syllable, using a quick, unstressed first syllable, and shortening the ellision between /k/ and /m/.
In US, the /ə/ in the first syllable is reduced to a schwa, and /kʌ/ is rounded with mid-back vowel quality; syllable 2 is stressed. In UK RP, the /ə/ remains relaxed, but vowel length can be slightly longer before /m/; rhoticity is minimal, so /ə/ is non-rhotic. In Australian English, /ə/ remains a near-schwa, with broader vowel quality and slightly more open /ʌ/ in /kʌ/. Overall rhythm is similar, but vowel quality and vowel reduction differ subtly.
The difficulty lies in the neutral vowel of the first syllable (the schwa), which can be mispronounced as a full /ɪ/ or /ɛ/ in non-native influence. The strong second syllable requires precise /ˈkʌ/ onset, which can be rushed in connected speech, causing the /ʌ/ to brighten or move toward /ɜː/. Finally, the -ing suffix /mɪŋ/ must blend with the preceding /k/ without creating an extra vowel or voicing mismatch.
Yes. Becoming is a two-syllable word with primary stress on the second syllable: be-COM-ing. This contrasts with many two-syllable -ing words that are unstressed or have stress on the first syllable. Emphasizing the middle /kʌ/ ensures natural rhythm and prevents a clipped ending. When speaking slowly, you can hang the /k/ slightly longer before the /m/ to avoid /k/ being swallowed.
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- US: /bəˈkʌmɪŋ/. Emphasize the /ˈkʌ/ with a slightly stronger jaw drop; keep the schwa soft. - UK: /bɪˈkʌmɪŋ/. The first syllable can be a bit more tense, but avoid a full /ɪ/; maintain a relaxed second vowel. - AU: /bəˈkʌmɪŋ/. Similar to US but with slightly more open jaw and broader /ʌ/; keep non-rhotic tendency for the /r/ absence. - Common across accents: connect smoothly from /ə/ to /k/ without an extra vowel; practice the sequence as a single unit.
The word becoming derives from the verb become, which has Germanic origins. Middle English borrowed become from Old English be- + -come, with sense evolution tied to the notion of approaching a state or condition. The modern participle form becoming emerged as the present participle of become, used adjectivally to describe something that is in the process of reaching a certain state. The semantic trajectory moves from simple arrival (to become) toward ongoing progression (becoming), emphasizing process over finish. First known uses in English date to the late Old English period, with stable attestation in Middle English and early Modern English, where becoming increasingly functioned as a present participle and adjective in clauses denoting transformation or suitability.”,
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "becoming" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "becoming" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "becoming"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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