a dead industry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dead industry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an industry that is no longer active, thriving, or profitable, often due to changes in technology, consumer preferences, or market conditions. Example: "With the rise of digital streaming, the once-thriving video rental business has become a dead industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Paper-milling is now a dead industry there.

The Economist

"It's a dead industry What's an album these days, anyways?

The Guardian - Music

"Pornography is really a dead industry in the ACT now," says Ms Henderson.

Independent

So all I can tell you is that for a dead industry with no future there are an awful lot of schmucks who want to take it away from me!" David Geffen began courting Zell last April.

The New Yorker

A dead industry does not, after all, tell stories like the one that put Mr. Sutherland at the Tugboat Roundup in Waterford, N.Y., a few years ago, where he apparently took part in a shipside bender so severe the entire bulkhead of a tugboat was ringed with empty bottles.

The New York Times

John Bennett, executive director of Sierra Club Canada, described the bounty system of payment to seal hunters a "nothing more than a subsidy for a dead industry "The money could be put to better use by buying out sealing licences and creating sustainable employment for the sealers".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Mr. Hossain said that when he had told him the news, Mr. Mayor broke down, screaming, "Oh, God … oh, God," into the phone and asking, "Are they all dead?" Industry officials said 200 workers and managers had died at Phantom TAC, with dozens more severely injured.

The New York Times

Back in Saky, Semenov predicted a far darker future: a dead tourism industry, empty beaches, and a return to the volatile and lawless early nineteen-nineties.

The New Yorker

"On the other hand, a central bank can overregulate and choke the economy and then we will have a dead banking industry.

The New York Times

The promise is that Detroit's vast industrial capacity, combined with a revitalized urban-cycling movement and rising manufacturing costs overseas, could resuscitate a dead domestic industry.

The New Yorker

The result, after a battle that raged for more than four decades, will be a dead Swiss industry catering to a world that has moved on.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase "a dead industry" with recommendations for retraining or investment in emerging sectors to provide a balanced perspective on economic challenges and opportunities.

Common error

Avoid using "a dead industry" as a blanket term for all traditional sectors; specify which segments are genuinely struggling and why, rather than making sweeping assumptions about entire industries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dead industry" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a dead industry" is a noun phrase used to describe an industry that is no longer viable or profitable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and mainly used in the news and media context to highlight economic decline or obsolescence in specific sectors. It's considered to have a neutral to professional register. Related phrases include "a defunct sector" and "an obsolete industry". Be specific when using this phrase to avoid overgeneralizing economic trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a defunct sector

Emphasizes that the industry is no longer functioning or in operation.

an obsolete industry

Highlights that the industry is outdated and no longer in use due to technological or market changes.

a declining industry

Focuses on the ongoing process of the industry's downturn and diminishing activity.

a moribund industry

Suggests the industry is in a state of near death, lacking vitality or growth.

a stagnant sector

Indicates a lack of growth or progress in the industry, implying inactivity.

a sunset industry

Implies that the industry is approaching its end, often due to irreversible decline.

a collapsing market

Highlights the rapid and significant decline of the market associated with the industry.

a non-viable industry

Emphasizes that the industry is no longer economically sustainable or profitable.

a failed enterprise

Focuses on the lack of success and ultimate failure of the industry's ventures.

a bygone trade

Suggests the industry belongs to a past era and is no longer relevant in the present.

FAQs

How can I use "a dead industry" in a sentence?

You can use "a dead industry" to describe a sector that is no longer thriving or profitable. For example: "The rise of streaming services has turned the video rental business into "a dead industry"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a dead industry"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a defunct sector", "an obsolete industry", or "a declining industry". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe an industry as "dead"?

While "a dead industry" is a strong phrase, it's appropriate when accurately reflecting the severe decline or obsolescence of a sector. Ensure your claim is supported by evidence and context.

What's the difference between "a dying industry" and "a dead industry"?

"A dying industry" suggests a sector is in the process of declining, while ""a dead industry"" implies the sector has already reached a point of non-viability and is no longer active or profitable.