become irrelevant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become irrelevant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something is no longer relevant in a particular situation. For example, "As technology advances, traditional methods of communication become irrelevant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

HAS BOXING become irrelevant?

The Economist

The Mets have become irrelevant.

The New York Times

Names become irrelevant.

The New York Times - Arts

Whatever the reason, Eton has become irrelevant.

The Economist

51 and 52 become irrelevant.

The New York Times - Arts

Now that dispute could become irrelevant.

The New York Times

"It was relocate or become irrelevant".

The New York Times

In that case, all constitutions become irrelevant.

The Economist

HAVE the Paris fashion shows become irrelevant?

The New York Times - Style

"I thought my book would become irrelevant.

The Guardian - Books

Many of the grandly-titled forums may simply become irrelevant.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become irrelevant" when describing a shift in importance or applicability, especially when something once considered important no longer holds value or significance in a specific context. Be clear about what is becoming irrelevant and why.

Common error

Avoid using "become irrelevant" too broadly. Clearly define the context in which something loses its relevance to prevent misinterpretations. For instance, instead of saying 'Books have become irrelevant', specify 'Printed books have become irrelevant to some in the digital age'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become irrelevant" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of losing importance or significance. As Ludwig AI pointed out, its grammatical structure is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become irrelevant" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has lost its importance or applicability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When using "become irrelevant", it's crucial to clearly define the scope and context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "become unimportant" or "become obsolete" can offer slightly different nuances. Remember to be specific about what is losing relevance and why to ensure clarity in your writing. The frequency and authoritative sources confirm that "become irrelevant" is a strong and suitable way to describe such a shift.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become unimportant

Focuses on a lack of importance, rather than relevance.

become insignificant

Emphasizes a lack of consequence or impact.

become obsolete

Highlights the idea of being outdated or no longer useful.

lose significance

Indicates a reduction in importance or meaning.

cease to matter

Expresses a lack of consequence or concern.

become outdated

Highlights the idea of no longer being current or fashionable.

become inconsequential

Stresses a lack of importance or effect.

fade into obscurity

Suggests a gradual loss of prominence or recognition.

become a thing of the past

Indicates something is no longer current or relevant.

fall by the wayside

Suggests being abandoned or forgotten.

FAQs

How can I use "become irrelevant" in a sentence?

You can use "become irrelevant" to describe something that is no longer important or applicable. For example, "Traditional marketing methods may "become irrelevant" as digital marketing gains prominence."

What are some alternatives to "become irrelevant"?

Alternatives include "become unimportant", "become obsolete", or "lose significance", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say something "became irrelevant"?

Yes, "became irrelevant" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct. For example, "The skills I learned in that job quickly "became irrelevant" after I changed careers."

What is the difference between "become irrelevant" and "is irrelevant"?

"Become irrelevant" implies a change over time, suggesting something was once relevant but no longer is. "Is irrelevant" suggests the subject is currently not applicable or important without necessarily implying a past state of relevance.