has been mothballed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been mothballed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been put into a state of inactivity or preservation, often referring to projects, plans, or equipment that are no longer in use but may be revived in the future. Example: "The old factory has been mothballed due to the decline in demand for its products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

That plan has been mothballed, according to its owner and developer, Wade Dokken.

The New York Times

The nuclear industry in Japan has been mothballed since the meltdown.

The Guardian

The coke oven at nearby South Bank has been mothballed completely.

The Guardian

The Redcar steel plant has been mothballed, owner SSI has confirmed, causing the loss of 1,700 jobs.

Independent

They did not splurge so lavishly on white elephants such as Riyadh's gargantuan $20 billion airport, a third of which has been mothballed since the 1980s.

The Economist

A plant in Santa Barbara, California, has been mothballed for more than two decades, after a devastating drought in the nineteen-nineties.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

In fact, the government has been mothballing bunkers for several years; today, former bunkers house things like museums and a "zero-star hotel" in the town of Sevelen.

The New York Times

The lectern had been mothballed with other furniture at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, La.

The New York Times

It was here that the Beetle, championed by Hitler, had been mothballed while the factory was put to military use.

The Economist

Some camps that had been mothballed after the recent slump in oil prices were reopened as shelters.

The New York Times

Contrary to one quotation in the article, this is not "an old project that had been mothballed for years".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been mothballed" to clearly communicate that a project, plan, or facility is temporarily inactive but preserved for potential future use. This avoids ambiguity and accurately conveys the intent of preservation.

Common error

Avoid using "has been mothballed" when something has been permanently terminated or discarded. The phrase implies a possibility of future revival, so choose more appropriate terms like "terminated", "abandoned", or "scrapped" if there's no intention of resuming activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been mothballed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has undergone the action of being put into a state of preservation or inactivity. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests a temporary cessation with the intent of future revival.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been mothballed" is a commonly used phrase to describe something that is temporarily out of service but preserved for future use. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. To avoid misuse, it should not be used when referring to something permanently terminated. Consider alternatives like "has been shelved" or "has been put on hold" depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been shelved

Indicates a project or plan that has been put aside, often with the implication it might be revisited later. Focus is on deferment.

has been put on hold

Suggests a temporary suspension of an activity or project. Highlights the pause in progress.

has been suspended

Implies a temporary cessation, often due to specific circumstances or decisions. Emphasizes the interruption.

has been deactivated

Focuses on rendering something inoperative, especially equipment or systems. Centers on the removal of function.

has been decommissioned

Refers to the official removal of something from service, typically a piece of equipment or facility. Suggests a formal end to operation.

has been idled

Indicates a state of inactivity, often in the context of industrial facilities or workers. Emphasizes the lack of current use.

has been taken offline

Specifically means removing something from an active, connected state, particularly in technology. Suggests a disconnect from service.

has ceased operation

Describes the complete stopping of activities. Highlights the termination of functionality.

has been discontinued

Means to stop producing or offering something, like a product or service. Emphasizes the termination of availability.

has been retired

Indicates something has been permanently removed from active use, often due to age or obsolescence. Suggests a final end to service.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has been mothballed"?

When something "has been mothballed", it means it has been taken out of service but is being preserved in a state where it can be easily brought back into use at a later time.

What can I say instead of "has been mothballed"?

You can use alternatives like "has been shelved", "has been put on hold", or "has been suspended" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something "was mothballed"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Was mothballed" is the past tense form, whereas "has been mothballed" is the present perfect tense.

Can "has been mothballed" apply to abstract concepts like plans or ideas?

Yes, it can. While it often refers to physical objects or facilities, "has been mothballed" can also describe plans or ideas that have been put on hold for the time being.