dead by now

USAGE SUMMARY

"dead by now" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a person or thing being gone or inactive at the present moment. For example, "I'm sure the old tree in the backyard is dead by now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Somebody might have been dead by now".

The New Yorker

They all must be dead by now".

The New York Times

B)... be dead by now".

The New York Times

Gen-1 was mostly dead by now.

Nature

She was supposed to be dead by now.

The New York Times

She had to be dead by now, buried and forgotten.

The New Yorker

Cursive writing was supposed to be dead by now.

The Washington Post

Without whom I might well be dead by now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Without them I would be dead by now.

The Guardian

"He is likely dead by now," he whispers.

The Guardian

I think they're probably all dead by now".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dead by now", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a literal death, the end of functionality, or the obsolescence of an idea or practice. The phrase can be used both literally and figuratively.

Common error

Avoid using "dead by now" in highly formal or professional writing where more precise or euphemistic language might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "deceased", "no longer functional", or "obsolete" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dead by now" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying an implied noun (person, object, idea) by indicating its current state of being deceased or non-functional. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dead by now" is a common phrase used to express that someone or something is likely no longer alive or functional at the present time. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It has neutral to informal register, with frequent use in News & Media. While generally acceptable, it may be too informal for some formal or professional contexts, where alternatives such as "deceased by this time" or "no longer functional" might be more appropriate. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it is important to consider the intended audience and the overall tone when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deceased by this time

Replaces "dead" with the more formal "deceased" and uses "this time" instead of "now" offering a more elevated tone.

no longer living now

Uses a more descriptive phrase instead of the direct term "dead", emphasizing the state of not being alive presently.

passed away already

Employs the euphemism "passed away" for "dead" and "already" for "by now", softening the impact of the statement.

gone by this point

Focuses on the absence of something or someone, rather than directly stating their death, using "this point" to indicate the present.

expired as of today

Uses "expired", often used for inanimate objects or in formal contexts, and specifies "as of today" for current relevance.

no more at present

A more poetic or indirect way of saying something is no longer alive or functional, using "at present" to emphasize the current time.

vanished by now

Implies disappearance rather than death, suitable for situations where something has ceased to exist or be relevant.

defunct currently

Replaces "dead" with "defunct", suggesting that something is no longer functional or in use, and "currently" for "now".

ceased to exist by now

A formal and somewhat clinical way of stating that something is no longer in existence.

out of the picture now

Indicates that something is no longer relevant or involved, rather than literally dead, using a metaphorical expression.

FAQs

How can I use "dead by now" in a sentence?

You can use "dead by now" to express that someone or something is likely no longer alive or functional at the present time. For example, "That old phone must be "dead by now" after all these years."

What's a more formal alternative to "dead by now"?

Depending on the context, you could use more formal alternatives such as "deceased by this time", "no longer functional", or "obsolete".

Is it appropriate to use "dead by now" in professional writing?

While grammatically correct, "dead by now" might be too informal for some professional contexts. Consider the tone and audience when deciding whether to use this phrase.

What does "dead by now" imply about the subject?

The phrase "dead by now" implies that the subject, whether a person, object, or idea, is no longer in a state of activity, existence, or relevance as of the present moment.