ceased to apply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ceased to apply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation which has stopped being applicable or relevant. For example, "The law ceased to apply after the date of repeal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The stereotype long since ceased to apply.

The Guardian - Opinion

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

The Guardian

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

The Economist

Perhaps the most important finding in today's poll, however, is that the old distinction between UK and Scottish elections has ceased to apply".

The Guardian

"There's a bizarre belief that we'll be young forever," he says.It is not that Moore's law has suddenly ceased to apply.

The Economist

But this distinction has long ceased to apply in the postfordist New Economy, in which both spheres are structurally affected by language and communication.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ceased to apply", ensure the context clearly indicates what is no longer applicable and the reason for its inapplicability. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "ceased to apply" without clearly specifying what the subject is. For instance, instead of saying "the rule ceased to apply", specify "the rule about overtime pay ceased to apply after the new contract was ratified".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ceased to apply" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a particular rule, law, or condition is no longer valid or in effect. Examples from Ludwig show its use in legal, regulatory, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ceased to apply" is used to express that something is no longer valid or in effect. Grammatically correct, it appears in varied contexts such as news, academia, and formal business settings. Ludwig AI analysis shows that this phrase serves to inform about regulatory, legal, or agreement changes. Alternatives include "no longer applicable" or "no longer in effect", and while the phrase is relatively uncommon, its proper usage requires clarity regarding what exactly "ceased to apply".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no longer applicable

Focuses on the lack of relevance or suitability.

no longer in effect

Emphasizes the termination of a rule or law.

become invalid

Highlights the loss of validity or legitimacy.

no longer relevant

Stresses the lack of pertinence to the current situation.

lost its validity

Indicates that something has lost its authoritative standing.

fallen into disuse

Implies a gradual abandonment of something due to obsolescence.

become obsolete

Suggests that something is outdated and no longer used.

no longer operative

Highlights that something is no longer functioning or active.

been superseded

Indicates that something has been replaced by something else.

out of force

Focuses on the termination of legal or regulatory power.

FAQs

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

You can use "ceased to apply" to indicate that a rule, law, or agreement is no longer in effect. For example, "The old regulations "no longer applied" after the new legislation was passed".

What is a formal alternative to "ceased to apply"?

A more formal alternative to "ceased to apply" is "no longer in effect". This phrase is suitable for legal and official documents.

Is it correct to say "stopped to apply" instead of "ceased to apply"?

While "stopped applying" is grammatically correct, "ceased to apply" carries a more formal and definitive tone. "Stopped applying" might suggest a temporary suspension, whereas "ceased to apply" implies a permanent end.

What's the difference between "ceased to apply" and "no longer applicable"?

"Ceased to apply" indicates the action of something stopping its application, while "no longer applicable" describes the state of something not being relevant or suitable. They are often interchangeable, but the former focuses on the termination of the action, and the latter on the state of being.