cease to matter

USAGE SUMMARY

'cease to matter' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has become insignificant or has lost importance. Example: Once the election is over, the issues that were important to voters will cease to matter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

When you are in love such things cease to matter".

The Guardian - Books

This could cease to matter under section 40.

The Guardian - Opinion

If she went with him to America, it would all cease to matter.

The New Yorker

Only on "Undressed" and one or two other numbers does the guessing game cease to matter.

The New York Times

If foreigners get used to presidential bloviations, will they cease to matter?

The Washington Post

If it were possible to change that factor (ie, eradicate the disease), temperature might cease to matter.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

But physical objects had ceased to matter to Stregg.

The New Yorker

The distinction between online and offline chatter ceases to matter.

The Economist

That was the time when it ceased to matter.

The Guardian - Books

Is Christianity ceasing to matter in the US?

The Guardian - Opinion

Facts ceased to matter, knowledge ceased to be valued, compassion appeared to evaporate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cease to matter" to express a shift in priorities or circumstances where something previously important is no longer relevant. This phrase is particularly effective in describing changes over time or in different contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "cease to matter" in very formal or technical writing where more precise language might be expected. Consider alternatives like "become irrelevant" or "lose significance" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cease to matter" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically serving as a predicate that describes a state of diminished importance or relevance. Ludwig shows numerous examples across reputable sources demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cease to matter" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a loss of significance or importance. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase appears most commonly in news and media contexts, but also finds use in academic discussions. When writing, consider the subtle differences between "cease to matter" and alternatives like "become irrelevant" or "lose significance" to ensure the most precise fit. By being mindful of these nuances, you can effectively use "cease to matter" to communicate shifts in relevance across a variety of writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become irrelevant

Focuses on the loss of relevance, highlighting that something no longer applies or is important.

lose significance

Emphasizes the reduction in importance or consequence.

diminish in importance

Highlights a gradual decrease in how important something is considered.

fade into insignificance

Suggests a gradual and subtle decline into being unimportant.

no longer count

Indicates that something is no longer a factor or consideration.

become inconsequential

Implies that something is of little to no importance.

be of no consequence

Similar to "become inconsequential" but emphasizes the lack of any significant outcome or effect.

become secondary

Suggests that something has been relegated to a lower level of importance.

take a backseat

An idiomatic way of saying something is no longer the main priority.

fall by the wayside

Indicates that something has been abandoned or forgotten due to a loss of importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "cease to matter" to describe a situation where something that was once important is no longer significant. For example, "Once the project was completed, the initial challenges "ceased to matter"".

What can I say instead of "cease to matter"?

Alternatives to "cease to matter" include "become irrelevant", "lose significance", or "diminish in importance", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "cease to matter" or "no longer matter"?

"Cease to matter" and "no longer matter" are quite similar, but "cease to matter" might be perceived as slightly more formal or literary. "No longer matter" is generally more common in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "cease to matter" and "become irrelevant"?

"Cease to matter" implies a change in importance, whereas "become irrelevant" suggests a loss of applicability or connection to the current situation. They are often interchangeable, but "become irrelevant" emphasizes a lack of current connection.