fade into oblivion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fade into oblivion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean that something is forgotten or no longer remembered. For example, "The memory of the event faded into oblivion over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Yet she refuses to fade into oblivion.

The New York Times - Books

(That the wunderkinds may fade into oblivion is a great possibility).

The New York Times

Marty flails and swoons, about to fade into oblivion, while George rescues Lorraine again — this is perhaps overkill — and kisses her.

The New Yorker

"Unless the MDC acts, and acts decisively, now," he warned, "Zanu-PF will rule for ever and the MDC will fade into oblivion.

The Guardian

Only the years will tell whether the passion for the Al Qaeda leader will produce new generations ready to attack America, or fade into oblivion.

The New York Times

"I have a soft spot for it," he said, adding that he did not like to see early Internet icons fade into oblivion.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

She faded into oblivion.

The New York Times - Arts

(The magazine has since faded into oblivion).

The New Yorker

The company abandoned its effort and faded into oblivion.

The New York Times

"I am not that old that I know many people who have faded into oblivion".

The New York Times - Tech

Had there not been a drastic reorientation of Soviet policy, Solidarity might well have faded into oblivion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fade into oblivion" to describe something that is gradually forgotten or loses significance over time. This phrase is particularly effective when discussing historical events, trends, or people whose impact has diminished.

Common error

Avoid using "fade into oblivion" to describe something that disappears suddenly or unexpectedly. The phrase implies a gradual decline, not an abrupt vanishing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fade into oblivion" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate to describe the process of something being gradually forgotten or losing significance. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fade into oblivion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes the gradual process of being forgotten or losing significance. Ludwig AI supports this with numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the gradual nature of the decline, avoiding its use for sudden disappearances. Alternatives such as "pass into oblivion" or "disappear from memory" can provide similar nuances depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pass into oblivion

Uses a slightly more formal tone to indicate a transition into being forgotten.

disappear from memory

Focuses on the act of being forgotten rather than ceasing to exist.

become a distant memory

Highlights the gradual loss of recall over time.

be consigned to obscurity

Emphasizes being relegated to a state of being unknown or unimportant.

sink into insignificance

Highlights a decline in importance or relevance.

slide into obscurity

Implies a gradual decline in recognition or fame.

be lost to the mists of time

Suggests a long period of time has passed, leading to something being forgotten.

vanish without a trace

Emphasizes complete disappearance without any remaining evidence.

become a thing of the past

Highlights the outdated nature of something that has been forgotten.

fall into disuse

Implies a loss of active use or practice, leading to eventual neglect and forgetting.

FAQs

How can I use "fade into oblivion" in a sentence?

You can use "fade into oblivion" to describe something gradually disappearing from memory or importance. For example, "The details of the scandal slowly "faded into oblivion" as new events captured public attention."

What is a similar phrase to "fade into oblivion"?

A similar phrase is "pass into oblivion", which also suggests something is being forgotten or ceasing to exist. Other options include "disappear from memory" or "sink into insignificance".

Is it correct to say "faded to oblivion" instead of "fade into oblivion"?

No, the correct and more common phrase is "fade into oblivion". "Faded to oblivion" is not a standard or grammatically sound expression.

What kind of things typically "fade into oblivion"?

Typically, things like old trends, historical events, forgotten technologies, or people's reputations can "fade into oblivion" as they lose relevance or are superseded by newer developments.