be decommissioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be decommissioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to the retirement or removal of equipment, systems, or services from active use. Example: "The old power plant will be decommissioned next year to make way for a new renewable energy facility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The remainder have been switched off, but have yet to be decommissioned.

The Economist

Many platforms are reaching the end of their operational lives, and are starting to be decommissioned.

The Economist

Some 220 above-ground bunkers were the first to be decommissioned.

Independent

Warheads possessed by the parties in excess of agreed limits do not need to be decommissioned.

The New York Times

Hinkley A was decommissioned in 2000, and Hinkley B is due to be decommissioned in 2023.

The Guardian

The British and Irish governments believe the first IRA weapons will be decommissioned in January.

The Guardian

Under the agreement, all paramilitary weapons are supposed to be decommissioned by May next year.

The Guardian

(Two reactors that continue to operate at the site are set to be decommissioned in 2014).

The New York Times

Moreover, once the nuclear plant has reached the end of its life it can be towed away to be decommissioned.

The Economist

It is still not clear how most nuclear plants will be decommissioned when they can no longer be operated.

The Economist

A third dam will be decommissioned, and a bypass will be built around the structure so the salmon can pass.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be decommissioned" when you want to emphasize the formal process of taking something out of service, especially when it involves specific procedures or regulations. This phrase often applies to infrastructure, military equipment, or facilities like power plants.

Common error

While "be decommissioned" is appropriate for formal contexts, it might sound overly technical or bureaucratic in everyday conversation. For simpler situations, consider alternatives like "be taken out of service" or "be retired".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be decommissioned" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes the action being performed on a subject, indicating that something is being taken out of service or deactivated. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be decommissioned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is perfectly correct for formal written English. Its primary function is to describe the process of formally taking something out of service, especially in contexts involving infrastructure, military equipment, or facilities. Common alternatives include "be retired" or "be taken out of service", but "be decommissioned" carries a more technical and formal tone. While most prevalent in news and scientific sources, its usage remains consistent and authoritative across diverse domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be taken out of service

A straightforward and less technical alternative, applicable to a wide range of items.

be deactivated

Implies a process of rendering something inoperative, often used in technical or military contexts.

be retired

Suggests a more graceful or planned removal from service, often applied to people but can also apply to equipment. Slightly less technical.

be phased out

Suggests a gradual removal from use, often replaced by something newer.

be taken offline

Specifically refers to systems or services removed from an online or networked environment.

be terminated

Suggests an abrupt ending or cancellation, often used in formal or legal contexts.

be shut down

Implies a cessation of operation, often temporarily. Broader meaning.

be shut off

Similar to 'be shut down', but more casual. Implies a more abrupt ending.

be dismantled

Suggests a complete disassembly or breaking down of a structure or system.

be mothballed

Indicates storing something for future use, typically after being deactivated, most frequently used with ships.

FAQs

How to use "be decommissioned" in a sentence?

You can use "be decommissioned" in sentences like: "The nuclear power plant will "be decommissioned" next year." or "The old server will "be decommissioned" after the upgrade."

What can I say instead of "be decommissioned"?

You can use alternatives like "be retired", "be taken out of service", or "be deactivated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be decommissioned" or "decommission"?

"Be decommissioned" is a passive form, indicating that something is acted upon. "Decommission" is an active verb, meaning someone or something performs the action. For example, "The plant will "be decommissioned"" (passive) versus "They will decommission the plant" (active).

What's the difference between "be decommissioned" and "be dismantled"?

"Be decommissioned" refers to the process of taking something out of service, while "be dismantled" means to take something apart or disassemble it. Decommissioning might precede dismantling, but they aren't always synonymous. Some items may be decommissioned and then stored, not dismantled.