is past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is past" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that something has happened in the past. For example: "The time when we last met is past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"That is past, yeah?

The New Yorker

Now he is past fear.

The New Yorker

What is past?

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

It is past time to start again.

The New York Times

It is past time he did so.

The New York Times

"What's past is past," Riccio said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It was past midnight.

The New York Times

I am past that".

Independent

He's past tense".

The New York Times - Sports

But that's past.

The New York Times

It's past history".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is past" to clearly indicate that a particular time, event, or phase has ended and is no longer ongoing or relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "is past" when you mean "has passed" to describe the act of time elapsing. "Is past" describes a state of being, whereas "has passed" describes an action.

Linguistic Context

"Is past" primarily functions as a copular verb phrase, linking a subject to a state of being that exists in the past. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples illustrating its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is past" is a versatile phrase used to denote that something belongs to a concluded time or state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across varied contexts, especially in news and media. To avoid confusion, be mindful of the difference between "is past" (a state) and "has passed" (an action). When writing, consider alternatives like "is over" or "has concluded" for more precise expressions. Overall, "is past" provides a straightforward way to communicate that something now resides firmly in the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is over

Emphasizes the end of an event or period.

is finished

Highlights the completed nature of something.

is behind us

Focuses on moving forward from past events or situations.

has concluded

Focuses on the completion or termination of something.

is outdated

Suggests something is obsolete or no longer current.

is bygone

Indicates something is in the distant past and no longer exists.

is a thing of the past

Highlights that something used to exist but does not anymore.

is no more

Stresses the absence or non-existence of something.

is now history

Indicates that something has become part of the historical record.

is ancient history

Implies something is very old and irrelevant to the present.

FAQs

How can I use "is past" in a sentence?

You can use "is past" to indicate that a certain time or event has concluded. For example, "That phase "is past", now."

What's a more formal alternative to "is past"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "has concluded" or "is now history" as more formal alternatives to "is past".

Is there a difference between saying "is past" and "has passed"?

Yes, "is past" describes the state of something being over, whereas "has passed" describes the action of time elapsing. For example, "The deadline "has passed"" refers to the action of the deadline expiring.

When is it appropriate to use "is past" instead of other similar phrases?

"Is past" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something belongs definitively to the past and is no longer relevant or current. Consider alternatives like "is over" or "is finished" for slightly different nuances.