becomes obsolete

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It immediately becomes obsolete".

The Guardian

Or that product becomes obsolete?

The Guardian - Arts

Disks corrode, bits "rot" and hardware becomes obsolete.

The New York Times

Then the cohort moves on, and the product becomes obsolete.

The New Yorker

Even the most effective one eventually becomes obsolete.

Harvard Business Review

Moreover, the exclusion principle advanced by Baye et al. (1993) becomes obsolete in this case.

Games and Economic Behavior

Politics is just one more feature of the old order that becomes obsolete.

The New York Times - Magazine

Once electronic devices become more pervasive, he says, the idea of a generic interface becomes obsolete.

The Economist

Further, as hardware becomes obsolete, transferring files to a next-generation machine can be tricky.

The New York Times - Tech

There comes a time when an economic and political system becomes obsolete and harmful.

The Guardian - Opinion

If it becomes obsolete, we put a dagger beside it, but it never leaves," Ogilvie said.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In business contexts, use "becomes obsolete" to describe how products or strategies lose their effectiveness over time due to market changes or competitive pressures.

Common error

Avoid using "becomes obsolete" as a blanket statement without specifying why something is becoming obsolete. Providing context (e.g., "due to technological advancements" or "because of changing market demands") adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes obsolete" functions as a predicate expressing a change in state. It indicates that a subject is transitioning from being current or useful to being outdated or no longer in use. As Ludwig confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and prevalent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "becomes obsolete" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is no longer useful or relevant. As confirmed by Ludwig, its widespread use across diverse sources like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts highlights its versatility. While alternatives like "becomes outdated" or "loses relevance" exist, "becomes obsolete" provides a specific emphasis on the process of something falling out of use due to newer or more effective options becoming available. When using this phrase, ensure to provide context to clarify why something is "becoming obsolete" for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becomes outmoded

Indicates that something is no longer fashionable or in line with current standards.

becomes outdated

A more straightforward synonym, simply stating something is no longer current.

loses relevance

Emphasizes the diminishing importance or applicability of something.

is rendered outdated

Highlights the effect of new developments making something no longer current or relevant.

ceases to be applicable

Indicates that something is no longer relevant or appropriate in a given situation.

falls into disuse

This alternative focuses on the cessation of use, emphasizing a gradual decline in popularity or necessity.

is superseded

Focuses on the act of being replaced by something newer or more effective.

is replaced

Focuses on the act of substitution, where something is taken over by a newer alternative.

is no longer in vogue

Highlights a decline in popularity or trendiness.

is a thing of the past

Suggests that something belongs to a previous era and is no longer in use or relevant.

FAQs

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

You can use "becomes obsolete" to describe when something is no longer useful because something newer exists. For example: "With the rise of smartphones, landlines gradually "became obsolete"".

What is a good alternative to "becomes obsolete"?

Good alternatives include "becomes outdated", "loses relevance", or "is superseded", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "becomes obsolete" or "is becoming obsolete"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "becomes obsolete" implies a more general or habitual occurrence, while "is becoming obsolete" suggests a process that is currently underway. Choose the option that best fits the context.

What causes something to "become obsolete"?

Things "become obsolete" due to various factors, including technological advancements, changing societal needs, market shifts, and the introduction of more efficient or effective alternatives.