ceased to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"ceased to be" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has come to an end. For example: "The summer vacations ceased to be and it was time to go back to school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Ahmet ceased to be jaunty.

The New Yorker

Contacts ceased to be personal.

Independent

We ceased to be.

The Guardian - Books

That has ceased to be true.

Independent

We had recently ceased to be twins.

The New Yorker

Italian foreign policy ceased to be adventurous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But that has ceased to be".

Independent

Lunch hour ceased to be so pleasant.

The New Yorker

Olympians ceased to be amateurs long ago.

The Economist

It has ceased to be.

The Guardian

They have ceased to be.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ceased to be" to indicate a formal or definitive end to something. It's appropriate in both formal and informal writing.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "ceased to be" in very casual conversation can sound overly formal. Consider simpler alternatives like "stopped being" or "ended" for everyday use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ceased to be" functions as a verb phrase indicating the termination or end of a state, condition, or existence. Ludwig provides examples showing its versatile use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ceased to be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating the termination or end of something. According to Ludwig, it is used in various contexts, mostly appearing in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki. While acceptable for formal and informal writing, it's important to consider the register and choose simpler alternatives like "stopped being" or "ended" for casual conversations. Overall, "ceased to be" is a versatile phrase that is useful for expressing the end of a state or existence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stopped being

Simple substitution of "ceased" with "stopped" to indicate termination.

was no more

Simple and direct way to state something no longer exists.

no longer existed

Rephrasing to emphasize the absence of existence.

came to an end

Focuses on the termination or conclusion of something.

discontinued to be

More formal alternative using "discontinued" instead of "ceased".

was terminated

Focuses on the formal or official ending of something.

vanished from existence

Emphasizes the disappearance or obliteration of something.

faded away

Implies a gradual disappearance or decline.

became extinct

Specifically indicates the termination of a species or type.

dissolved

Suggests a breaking apart or disintegration, ceasing unified existence.

FAQs

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

The phrase "ceased to be" is used to indicate that something no longer exists or is no longer in a particular state. For example, "The old traditions have "ceased to be" relevant in modern society".

What is a more informal way to say "ceased to be"?

In more casual contexts, you could use phrases like "stopped being", "ended", or "was no more" as alternatives to "ceased to be".

Is it correct to say "ceased from being"?

While understandable, "ceased to be" is the more common and grammatically preferred construction. "Ceased from being" is less frequently used.

What's the difference between "ceased to be" and "no longer exists"?

The phrase "ceased to be" suggests a more active or definitive ending, while "no longer exists" simply states the absence of something. They are often interchangeable, but "ceased to be" can imply a process or event that led to the termination.