have died out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have died out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something has become extinct or no longer exists, often referring to species, customs, or practices. Example: "Many traditional crafts have died out due to the rise of modern technology and mass production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Artists' flames have died out in the past.

The New York Times - Arts

Because, if we weren't, we'd have died out by now.

The Guardian - Books

These have died out since the credit crunch anyway.

The Guardian - Money

"If we Cubans cared about possessions," he said stoically, "we should have died out long ago.

The Economist

"A lesser people might simply have died out, as indeed others have".

The Economist

The cries will have died out and few miracles will remain possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Humans evolved this reaction to scary situations because our ancestors would have died out without it.

The Washington Post

If childbirth was such agony, the human race would have died out years ago.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It would have died out in 1970 if I hadn't done that.

The Guardian - Music

Two species have died out, and of the 24 remaining ones seven are threatened and only six are thriving.

The Economist

"If we just wanted positive emotions, our species would have died out a long time ago," he says.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the extinction of species, use "have died out" to convey the complete disappearance of a species from the planet.

Common error

Avoid using "have died out" when referring to temporary absences or fluctuations in popularity. This phrase signifies a complete and irreversible end.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have died out" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a completed process of extinction or disappearance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and widely accepted. Examples show it describing extinct species, obsolete practices, and vanished traditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have died out" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression, widely used to describe the complete disappearance or extinction of something. According to Ludwig, it is correct and applicable in numerous contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and encyclopedic content. While its register is neutral, it's crucial to ensure the subject has genuinely ceased to exist rather than merely declined. Alternatives like "have become extinct" or "have disappeared" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. This phrase is a valuable tool for conveying the finality of something's existence or activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have become extinct

Emphasizes the complete disappearance of a species or phenomenon.

have gone extinct

Similar to 'have become extinct', but with a slightly different emphasis.

have ceased to exist

Focuses on the termination of existence.

have disappeared

Highlights the vanishing or fading away of something.

have faded away

Suggests a gradual decline and eventual disappearance.

have become obsolete

Indicates that something is no longer in use or relevant due to advancements or changes.

are no longer extant

A more formal way of saying that something does not exist anymore.

have been lost

Implies that something has disappeared, possibly due to neglect or disuse.

are a thing of the past

Indicates that something belongs to a previous era and is no longer current.

have petered out

Suggests a gradual decline to nothing, often used for trends or activities.

FAQs

How can I use "have died out" in a sentence?

You can use "have died out" to describe species that no longer exist, like: "Many species of dinosaurs "have died out" millions of years ago."

What's a good alternative to "have died out"?

Alternatives include "have become extinct", "have disappeared", or "have ceased to exist", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "have died out" for trends or customs?

Yes, but ensure the trend or custom has truly ceased to exist, not just declined in popularity. For a fading trend, consider "have petered out" instead.

Which is correct: "the tradition has died out" or "the tradition died out"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the tradition has died out" implies a process completed recently or with ongoing relevance. "The tradition died out" is a simple past tense statement of fact.