becoming obsolete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becoming obsolete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is gradually falling out of use or becoming outdated. Example: "With the rapid advancement of technology, many traditional forms of communication are becoming obsolete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He reckons they're becoming obsolete.

The Economist

But that view is becoming obsolete.

The New York Times

Are our hands becoming obsolete as creative tools?

The New York Times

"Only Watch is in danger of becoming obsolete," he added.

The New York Times

And now even that trip is becoming obsolete.

The New York Times

It is a model that may be becoming obsolete.

The Guardian

The myth prevails that librarians are becoming obsolete.

The New York Times

To be more accurate, the methods he had grown skilled at were becoming obsolete.

The New York Times

One reason is that the traditional 9 to 5 work week is becoming obsolete.

Independent

Portugal "didn't recognize that it was becoming obsolete with E.U. expansion," he added.

The New York Times

Owing to climate change, though, the whole concept of a hundred-year flood was becoming obsolete.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To convey the evolving nature of skills in the modern workforce, employ "becoming obsolete" to emphasize the importance of continuous learning and adaptation.

Common error

While "becoming obsolete" suggests something is losing relevance, "evolving" or "transforming" better capture situations where things are adapting to new conditions, rather than simply fading away. Choose the term that accurately reflects the nature of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming obsolete" functions as a predicate adjective describing a noun that is in the process of losing its usefulness or relevance. It's used to indicate a gradual transition towards obsolescence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "becoming obsolete" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe something gradually losing its relevance or use. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. It is found most often in News & Media. When writing, consider whether "evolving" or "transforming" may better capture the situation if something is adapting rather than simply fading away. This guide offers insights into its usage, related phrases, and common errors to avoid, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

losing relevance

Stresses the decreasing importance or significance.

falling into disuse

Emphasizes the process of gradually ceasing to be used.

becoming archaic

Suggests a shift towards being old-fashioned or outdated.

outmoding

Focuses on something that's going out of fashion or style.

growing outdated

Highlights the increasing irrelevance due to the passage of time.

morphing into obsolescence

Highlights the transition into a state of being outmoded.

going out of style

Focuses on a decline in popularity or trendiness.

waning in importance

Indicates a reduction in significance or influence.

fading away

Implies a gradual disappearance or decline.

superannuating

Implies reaching the age or condition of being retired or discarded.

FAQs

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

You can use "becoming obsolete" to describe something that is gradually falling out of use or becoming outdated. For example, "With the rise of digital media, traditional print newspapers are "becoming obsolete"".

What phrases are similar to "becoming obsolete"?

Similar phrases include "becoming outdated", "falling into disuse", or "losing relevance", which all convey a similar meaning of something declining in importance or use.

Is it correct to say "become obsolete" instead of "becoming obsolete"?

Yes, both are correct but have slightly different meanings. "Become obsolete" describes a completed action, while "becoming obsolete" describes an ongoing process.

What causes something to "become obsolete"?

Obsolescence can be caused by technological advancements, changing trends, or the introduction of more efficient alternatives. For instance, a new technology might cause older methods to "become obsolete".