became obsolete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became obsolete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is no longer in use or has fallen out of relevance over time. Example: "With the advent of smartphones, traditional flip phones became obsolete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

These canals later became obsolete.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The castle became obsolete in Tudor times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The tubular magazine of this rifle soon became obsolete, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The game of picking winners became obsolete long ago.

The Economist

On 8 August 1918, trench warfare suddenly became obsolete.

Independent

In the end, all too soon, Peckinpah too became obsolete.

The Guardian - Film

The Displaywriter and its software, Displaywrite 5, soon became obsolete.

The New York Times

Over the past few decades, these social scripts became obsolete.

The New York Times

"Belts became obsolete right after the book was published," she said.

The New Yorker

The process became obsolete, however, with increased production demands and the development of efficient printing presses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the 13th and 14th centuries, Byzantine sea commerce dwindled, and eventually the law became obsolete.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "became obsolete", ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the obsolescence. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "became obsolete" when "obsolete" alone suffices as an adjective. "The technology is obsolete" is often more concise than "The technology became obsolete".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became obsolete" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state. It describes the process by which something loses its usefulness or relevance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became obsolete" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes the process of something losing its relevance or use. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts including news, encyclopedias, and science. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the cause of obsolescence. While "became obsolete" is generally suitable for neutral and professional registers, simpler alternatives like "fell into disuse" or "was rendered outdated" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Avoid using "became obsolete" when "obsolete" as an adjective is sufficient for conciseness. The phrase’s high frequency and clear meaning make it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fell into disuse

Emphasizes the cessation of use, often gradually over time.

was rendered outdated

Focuses on the act of something being made old-fashioned by newer developments.

became outmoded

Highlights the fact that something is no longer fashionable or suitable for modern times.

was superseded

Implies replacement by something newer or better.

became a thing of the past

Suggests something is no longer relevant or part of current experience.

lost its relevance

Focuses on the diminishing importance or applicability of something.

became defunct

Indicates something is no longer functioning or in existence.

became antiquated

Stresses the old-fashioned and outdated nature of something.

outlived its usefulness

Highlights that something no longer serves its original purpose effectively.

ceased to be applicable

Emphasizes the loss of relevance or suitability in a specific context.

FAQs

How can I use "became obsolete" in a sentence?

The phrase "became obsolete" indicates that something is no longer in use or has lost its relevance. For example, "With the rise of smartphones, many older technologies "became obsolete"".

What can I say instead of "became obsolete"?

You can use alternatives such as "fell into disuse", "was rendered outdated", or "became outmoded" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "became obsolete" or "is obsolete"?

"Became obsolete" describes a change in state, while "is obsolete" describes the current state. Use "became obsolete" when describing the process of something falling out of use. Use "is obsolete" to describe something's current state of being outdated.

What's the difference between "became obsolete" and "was superseded"?

"Became obsolete" suggests something is no longer used because it's outdated. "Was superseded" implies it was replaced by something better or more advanced. The latter focuses on the replacement rather than simply the decline in use.