cease to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"cease to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means "to end," and is usually used in a formal setting. For example: "The time has come for the old ways to cease to be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet he does not cease to be a human being.

Britannica

Inevitable wonders eventually cease to be wondrous.

The New Yorker

I cease to be father.

The Washington Post

Prisoners do not cease to be people.

The New York Times

I cease to be a movie critic.

The Washington Post

I cease to be Steve Hunter.

The Washington Post

I cease to be a novelist.

The Washington Post

Take these away, and literature could cease to be.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But they cease to be so, if other countries renege.

The Economist

"Egyptian economy" might gradually cease to be an oxymoron.

Independent

At what point would you cease to be yourself?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cease to be" when you want to express a formal or definitive end to something's existence or state. It often adds a sense of finality or importance to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "cease to be" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "end", "stop", or "disappear" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cease to be" is to act as an infinitive verb phrase indicating the termination or ending of something's existence or state. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cease to be" is a versatile infinitive verb phrase used to indicate the end of something's existence or state. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across formal, neutral, and even some informal contexts, although it's generally more suited to formal writing. While grammatically correct and widely understood, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for casual communication. Its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its credibility in professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

No longer exist

Directly indicates the absence of something that previously existed.

Come to an end

Focuses on the termination of something, highlighting the finality of its existence.

Discontinue

Suggests the halting of an activity or process.

Be abolished

Highlights the official or legal termination of a practice or institution.

Terminate

Emphasizes the formal ending of something, often used in official contexts.

Be defunct

Specifically used for organizations or systems that are no longer functioning.

Be no more

A more poetic or dramatic way to express non-existence.

Fade away

Implies a gradual disappearance or decline.

Pass away

Often used as a euphemism for dying, referring to the end of life.

Become extinct

Refers to the complete disappearance of a species or type of thing.

FAQs

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

The phrase "cease to be" indicates the end of something's existence or a state. For example, "If the company fails to innovate, it will "cease to be" a market leader".

What is a less formal way to say "cease to be"?

You can use simpler alternatives such as "stop being", "end", or "disappear" depending on the context. These options are more appropriate for informal settings.

Is it correct to say "ceased of being" instead of "cease to be"?

No, "ceased of being" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase. The correct phrase is ""cease to be"".

What's the difference between ""cease to be"" and "no longer exist"?

"Cease to be" is a more formal way of saying "no longer exist". Both phrases indicate that something has come to an end, but ""cease to be"" carries a slightly heavier tone.