be obsolete over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be obsolete over time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how something may become outdated or no longer useful as time progresses. Example: "With the rapid advancement of technology, many devices are likely to be obsolete over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Such incremental change, he says, "is guaranteed to be obsolete over time".

The Guardian - Tech

But incremental improvement is guaranteed to be obsolete over time.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"JAPANESE HDTV will be obsolete by the time it triumphs".

Forbes

Not every aspect of the publishing process was obsoleted over the last ten years.

TechCrunch

I think it will be obsolete in six months' time!

The Guardian - Tech

Do you think it will be obsolete in 10 years' time?

The Guardian - Tech

Every master plan the city has prepared is obsolete by the time it's printed.

The New York Times - Magazine

The censored time is the time at risk of being refuted or found to be obsolete.

Plosone

Perhaps given time, this issue of non-registration will be obsolete.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Walt may be obsolete".

The Guardian - Film

Nowadays the term 'handicap' may be obsolete.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing technology or trends, use "be obsolete over time" to emphasize that changes in technology or cultural shifts eventually render things outdated. For example, "Many software programs "be obsolete over time" as newer versions are released."

Common error

The phrase "be obsolete over time" suggests a gradual process. Avoid using it when describing something that becomes outdated instantly or very quickly. Use alternatives such as "immediately obsolete" or "instantaneously outdated" if that's the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be obsolete over time" functions as a predicate, describing the state of something becoming outdated or no longer useful as time progresses. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, illustrating how technology or improvements can "be obsolete over time" without innovation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be obsolete over time" is a phrase used to describe the gradual process of something becoming outdated or irrelevant. While considered grammatically correct by Ludwig, it is relatively rare in usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and it's important to use it to emphasize the slow change of obsolescence. Innovation is key to preventing obsolescence over time. If you want to express the same concept but using different words, you can try alternatives like "become outdated gradually" or "lose relevance with time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become outdated gradually

Emphasizes the progressive nature of becoming outdated.

lose relevance with time

Focuses on the diminishing importance or applicability over a period.

fall into disuse over the years

Highlights the declining use and eventual abandonment over an extended period.

grow outmoded as time passes

Suggests a natural progression toward becoming old-fashioned or no longer in style.

become antiquated with the passage of time

Implies a descent into being old and no longer useful or applicable due to the progression of time.

fade into obsolescence

Illustrates a gradual decline into a state of being outdated and no longer needed.

decline in utility over time

Focuses on the reducing usability of something over a given period.

go the way of the dinosaur

Idiomatic expression indicating complete extinction or irrelevance.

succumb to obsolescence

Suggests something eventually failing and becoming obsolete.

be superseded in due course

Focuses on the fact something will be replaced over time.

FAQs

How can I use "be obsolete over time" in a sentence?

You can use "be obsolete over time" to describe a gradual process of something becoming outdated. For example, "Incremental improvements are guaranteed to "be obsolete over time" if there is no innovation."

What phrases are similar to "be obsolete over time"?

Similar phrases include "become outdated gradually", "lose relevance with time", or "fall into disuse over the years".

Is it correct to say "become obsolete over time" instead of "be obsolete over time"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "become obsolete over time" focuses on the process of changing into obsolescence, whereas "be obsolete over time" emphasizes the state of being in the process of obsolescence.

How does the meaning of "be obsolete over time" differ from "be instantly obsolete"?

"Be obsolete over time" implies a gradual decline in relevance or usefulness, while "be instantly obsolete" suggests an immediate state of being outdated or no longer useful. The first describes a process, the second a state.