cease to apply

USAGE SUMMARY

'cease to apply' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action or set of rules or conditions that someone has to stop following or abiding by. For example, "As of August 1st, the new rules will cease to apply to all members of the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And that means EU law must cease to apply.

The Guardian

That age limit will now cease to apply.

The Guardian - Sport

Engineers have long anticipated that Moore's Law would cease to apply around 2015.

The Economist

The argument that the army is "fighting terrorism" would cease to apply.

The Economist

paragraph (1) shall cease to apply with respect to such accounts.

Cornell University

For single particles of light or matter the laws of classical physics cease to apply and quantum physics takes over.

The Guardian

The rules in the aforementioned treaty article state the EU "treaties shall cease to apply" two years after the notification.

The Guardian - Opinion

Others, which have not been directly incorporated, would cease to apply to the UK when we leave.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The stereotype long since ceased to apply.

The Guardian - Opinion

The council, he said, had "ceased to function" and its guidelines had "ceased to apply".

The Economist

The old rules, regarding financing, policy, gaffes, accuracy and media management, have ceased to apply.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cease to apply", ensure the context clearly indicates what is stopping and why. Specifying the effective date or triggering event adds precision.

Common error

Avoid using "cease to applied". The correct form is "cease to apply". Ensure the verb tense is consistent with the time frame you are discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cease to apply" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the termination or cessation of a rule, law, agreement, or condition. It is used to express when something stops being valid or effective. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cease to apply" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that a rule, law, or agreement is no longer valid or in effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts including news, academia, and formal business settings. Authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ this phrase. While more formal alternatives such as "no longer applicable" or "become invalid" exist, "cease to apply" remains a versatile and reliable choice for expressing termination or inapplicability. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specify what is stopping and why for maximum precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no longer applicable

This alternative directly states that something is not currently valid or relevant.

become invalid

This implies that something previously valid is now ineffective.

no longer in effect

This highlights the termination of an active rule or law.

become void

This suggests something is null and without legal force.

terminate

This term indicates a formal ending or discontinuation.

expire

This implies that something has reached its end date and is no longer valid.

lapse

This suggests a temporary ending due to neglect or failure to renew.

be superseded

This indicates that something has been replaced by a new rule or law.

discontinue

This implies a deliberate act of stopping something.

be rescinded

This term indicates a formal cancellation or revocation.

FAQs

How can I use "cease to apply" in a sentence?

Use "cease to apply" to indicate when a rule, agreement, or law stops being valid or effective. For example, "These regulations will "no longer apply" after the contract expires."

What's a formal way to say "cease to apply"?

More formal alternatives include "become invalid", "be superseded", or "be rescinded", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "cease to apply" and "no longer applies"?

"Cease to apply" and "no longer applies" are very similar. "Cease to apply" is slightly more formal, while "no longer applies" is more conversational but both effectively mean that something is "no longer applicable".

When would something "cease to apply"?

Something might "cease to apply" due to a contract expiration, a change in regulations, or a specific event that triggers the end of its validity, or a new agreement that "takes precedence".