going out of existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going out of existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is ceasing to exist or becoming extinct. Example: "The species is in danger of going out of existence if conservation efforts are not implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"In 1983 we were in within a point of getting into what is now the Championship and four years later the club did not exist, going out of existence, " he said.

BBC

Productive laboratories are going out of existence.

The New York Times

No other airline has terminated all its pension plans, except in cases of liquidation, where the airline itself was going out of existence.

The New York Times

There were several occasions over the ensuing years of the war when the Continental Army came perilously close to going out of existence, most memorably at Valley Forge in 1777.

The New York Times - Books

"When people ask what clubs could be in danger of going out of existence," Gay has said, "I reply that there are just three clubs — Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao — not in some kind of danger".

The New York Times - Sports

"We spoke all week about the importance of the game, what with it being a centenary season and 25 years since we lost Football League status and going out of existence.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Intuitively things come in and go out of existence; what exists at one time does not exist at another.

SEP

By similar reasoning, existing things are eternal because they cannot go out of existence.

SEP

Analogously, if an object goes out of existence, all that happens is that the object turns from an existent again into a nonexistent one.

SEP

Could an existing substance exist for a certain length of time and then go out of existence?

SEP

That has gone out of existence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "going out of existence", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "becoming extinct" or "ceasing to exist" might be more appropriate depending on whether you are describing a species, an organization, or an idea.

Common error

Avoid using "going out of existence" to describe temporary situations or readily reversible processes. This phrase is best reserved for irreversible endings. Instead of saying "The project is going out of existence", consider "The project is being discontinued" if there's a possibility it might be revived.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going out of existence" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the process of something ceasing to exist. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various subjects, such as football clubs, airlines, and scientific laboratories.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going out of existence" is a grammatically sound gerund phrase that describes the process of something ceasing to exist. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, the frequency of usage is uncommon. The phrase appears most often in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. It is important to consider the specific nuance of the phrase when selecting it over alternatives like "ceasing to exist" or "becoming extinct", reserving it for scenarios involving a true and irreversible end. Avoid using the phrase to describe something temporary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ceasing to exist

Emphasizes the action of stopping existence, focusing on the termination point.

becoming extinct

Specifically applies to species or types facing complete annihilation.

dying out

Suggests a gradual process of disappearing or vanishing.

becoming defunct

Implies something no longer functioning or being used.

passing away

Often used in a more gentle or euphemistic context, suggesting a peaceful end.

disappearing

Focuses on the act of vanishing from sight or awareness.

terminating

Highlights a formal or official ending of something.

dissolving

Suggests breaking apart or disintegrating until nothing is left.

vanishing from the scene

Describes a complete disappearance from activity or prominence.

fading into oblivion

Emphasizes a loss of memory and recognition over time.

FAQs

What does "going out of existence" mean?

The phrase "going out of existence" refers to the process of something ceasing to exist or becoming nonexistent. It implies a finality to the end of something, whether it's a species, an organization, or even an idea.

What can I say instead of "going out of existence"?

You can use alternatives like "ceasing to exist", "becoming extinct", or "dying out" depending on the context.

Is "going out of existence" formal or informal?

"Going out of existence" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding language and the specific situation will influence the overall formality.

Can "going out of existence" be used to describe something temporary?

No, "going out of existence" typically implies a permanent end. For temporary situations, it's better to use phrases like "being discontinued" or "being suspended".