cease existing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'cease existing' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone as disappearing or ceasing to be or exist. For example: "The last remaining members of the species ceased existing nearly a century ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's endless; we can only stop it if we ourselves cease existing.

The New York Times - Magazine

They have also agreed to cease existing agreements under the agency model, allowing retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble to reduce ebook prices, and will be barred from making any such agreements for the next two years.

The Guardian - Books

Last week the three publishers agreed to a $69m£44m4m) settlement fund to compensate readers who bought ebooks between 1 April 2010 and 21 May 2012, as well as to cease existing agreements under the so-called agency model, which allowed the publisher rather than the retailer to set the price of ebooks.

The Guardian - Books

From the point of view of the league, this was a usefully empty phrase, a vessel for pretending that the point of these protests is something other than progressive, implicitly hopeful that America is on the verge of achieving an apolitical state of unity in which problems of justice have the good manners to cease existing.

The New Yorker

Some of the artists may have intended their works be shown as a performance, and to cease existing when the technology running it breaks down.

BBC

If you cease existing, what's that really like?" It's not like anything, probably.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If mining ceased, existing bitcoins would become immovable - and an immovable asset is worthless.

Forbes

A person may disappear behind a car in front of the system's sensors, for instance, and no longer be visible for a second or two, but that doesn't mean they ceased existing.

TechCrunch

Unlike methaqualone, which faded away when Quaalude, its brand name counterpart, ceased existing, promethazine as a generic is popular in other forms.

Vice

Unlike methaqualone, which faded away when Quaalude, its brand name counterpart, ceased existing, promethazine as a generic is popular in other forms.

Vice

As we drop our greedy buckets deeper and deeper into the well, what we bring to the surface is not only less-intended by the author and thus lacking his polish, but clouds the signal of what had come before, making it hard to remember who that person was at all before they ceased existing.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cease existing" when you want a slightly more formal or emphatic way to describe something coming to an end, especially in philosophical, abstract, or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "cease existing" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "stop existing" or "end" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cease existing" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as an intransitive verb. It describes the action of something coming to an end or disappearing. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cease existing" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, though somewhat uncommon. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is appropriate for describing the end of something's existence. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, with a tendency towards neutrality to formality. While alternatives like "stop existing" or "come to an end" may be more suitable for casual conversation, "cease existing" offers a more formal and emphatic tone when a strong statement about termination is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop existing

Replaces "cease" with the more common verb "stop", making it slightly less formal.

no longer exist

Emphasizes the state of non-existence after the cessation.

discontinue existence

Uses a more formal verb, "discontinue", emphasizing a planned or deliberate ending.

become extinct

Specifically refers to the ending of a species or type of thing.

come to an end

Shifts the focus to the ending itself, rather than the act of ceasing.

be terminated

Suggests a forced ending by an external source.

vanish from existence

Suggests a sudden and complete disappearance.

be no more

A more concise and often poetic way of expressing the end of existence.

pass away

Euphemism typically used to refer to the death of a person.

perish from the earth

Implies a more dramatic and permanent end, often used in a historical or literary context.

FAQs

How can I use "cease existing" in a sentence?

You can use "cease existing" to describe something or someone disappearing or ending their existence. For instance: "If the funding dries up, the project will "cease existing"."

What can I say instead of "cease existing"?

Alternatives include "stop existing", "no longer exist", or "come to an end", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is there a difference between "cease existing" and "stop existing"?

While both phrases convey the same basic meaning, "cease existing" is generally considered more formal and emphatic than "stop existing". The choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

When is it appropriate to use "cease existing" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "cease existing" when you need a formal or emphatic way to describe something coming to an end, especially in philosophical, scientific, or formal contexts. It should be avoided in casual or informal contexts where simpler alternatives would suffice.