are obsolete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are obsolete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is no longer in use or has become outdated. Example: "With the rapid advancement of technology, many traditional methods of communication are obsolete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both are obsolete.

The New York Times

But tricycles are obsolete.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Passwords themselves are obsolete.

The Guardian - Tech

All the stadiums are obsolete.

The New York Times - Sports

The old versions are obsolete.

Independent

"Big Dams are obsolete," she wrote.

The New Yorker

Only the haircuts are obsolete.

The New York Times - Arts

The arguments against inaction are obsolete".

The New Yorker

But memorandums in such circumstances are obsolete.

The New York Times

"Big Dams are obsolete,'' she wrote.

The New Yorker

Schools, prisons and central government are obsolete.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are obsolete" to clearly indicate when something is no longer relevant or functional due to advancements or changes in practices. For example, "Typewriters are obsolete in modern offices."

Common error

Avoid using "are obsolete" when referring to something that might become outdated in the future; instead, use "will become obsolete" or "may be obsolete".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are obsolete" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a noun as no longer in use or relevant. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples showing the phrase applied to various subjects, from technologies to ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are obsolete" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is no longer in use or relevant. Ludwig AI validates this with many examples from diverse sources, primarily news and media, but also science and formal business contexts. It functions as a predicate adjective, informing the audience about the outdated status of a subject. When writing, ensure you use the correct tense and consider alternatives like "are outdated" or "are no longer in use" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are outdated

Focuses on the state of being out of date.

are no longer in use

Directly states the cessation of use.

are outmoded

Emphasizes the old-fashioned nature.

are superseded

Indicates replacement by something newer.

are a thing of the past

Suggests something belongs to a previous era.

are defunct

Implies cessation of function or existence.

are passé

Highlights that something is no longer fashionable or current.

are antiquated

Emphasizes being old and no longer useful.

are superannuated

Highlights being retired or out of date due to age.

are archaic

Implies being extremely old and outdated.

FAQs

How to use "are obsolete" in a sentence?

You can use "are obsolete" to describe items, practices, or ideas that are no longer in use or relevant. For example, "Floppy disks "are obsolete" because of USB drives".

What can I say instead of "are obsolete"?

You can use alternatives like "are outdated", "are no longer in use", or "are a thing of the past" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are obsolete" or "is obsolete"?

"Are obsolete" is used with plural nouns or pronouns, while "is obsolete" is used with singular nouns or pronouns. For example, "These laws are obsolete" versus "This technology is obsolete".

What's the difference between "are obsolete" and "are becoming obsolete"?

"Are obsolete" indicates that something is currently not in use or relevant, while "are becoming obsolete" suggests a gradual process of falling out of use. "Vinyl records are obsolete" vs. "Vinyl records "are becoming obsolete" as music streaming becomes more prevalent".