is something of the past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is something of the past" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is no longer relevant or has become outdated. Example: "With the rise of digital communication, traditional mail is something of the past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But this is something of the past.

Independent

TT 2014 will be Debbie Barron's third year as a sidecar driver, she knows that being singled out as a woman is something of the past.

BBC

While it is acknowledged that a purely professional and technological paradigm to SEA is something of the past, it is proposed that leaving the design of 'flexible' SEA to the will of proponents and stakeholders might ultimately render it incapable of protecting the environment.

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

Now, you're acting like race is something of the past.

Huffington Post

The high-90s fastball that he could uncork back then is something of the past.

Los Angeles Times

The fictional world of Mad Men is something of the past.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

They considered refusing vaccination to be something of the past, the polio-epidemic of 1978 being the turning point.

BMC Public Health

There was something of the same about his Christmas messages.

Independent

THERE was something of the Soviet era about this week's television film from Boris Yeltsin's hospital suite.

The Economist

Just 11 months after the joy ride began, Rose, 30, is something of an afterthought at the 2011 U.S. Open that begins Thursday at Congressional Country Club, the forgotten Englishman.

The New York Times - Sports

"Blind Spot" is something of a misnomer for the 2003 dance by Pavel Zustiak that opened at Performance Space 122 on Wednesday.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "is something of the past" to subtly indicate that a practice, technology, or idea is becoming less common or relevant without necessarily implying complete disappearance. For example, "Formal letter writing is something of the past, with email and messaging apps dominating communication."

Common error

Avoid using "is something of the past" when the subject is still actively in use or relevant. Overstating its obsolescence can confuse readers if the subject is still part of everyday life.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is something of the past" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a subject to indicate that it is becoming less relevant or outdated. It softens the declaration of obsolescence, suggesting a gradual decline rather than complete disappearance. Examples from Ludwig show its use across diverse topics, from politics to technology.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is something of the past" is a versatile way to describe the declining relevance of various subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media. When writing, use this phrase to subtly indicate obsolescence without implying complete disappearance, and avoid overstating the decline of subjects still in active use. Alternatives like "is a thing of the past" provide more direct ways to express obsolescence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a thing of the past

A more direct way of saying something is no longer relevant, with a slightly stronger emphasis.

is losing its relevance

Directly states that something is no longer as important as it once was.

is becoming obsolete

Focuses on the process of becoming outdated rather than a completed state.

is fading into history

Emphasizes the historical aspect of something losing relevance.

is outdated

A simpler term for not being current or modern.

is on the decline

Highlights a decrease in usage or popularity.

has seen its day

Indicates that something has had its period of success or importance and is now over.

is ancient history

Emphasizes that something happened so long ago it is no longer important.

is a relic

Suggests something is an old object or idea kept because of its historical importance.

is consigned to the history books

Indicates that something is now only found in historical records.

FAQs

How can I use "is something of the past" in a sentence?

You can use "is something of the past" to describe practices or technologies that are becoming less common. For example, "Sending faxes is something of the past with the rise of email".

What's a more direct alternative to "is something of the past"?

A more direct alternative is "is a thing of the past", which emphasizes that something is no longer relevant.

Is it correct to say "was something of the past"?

Yes, "was something of the past" is correct when referring to something that was declining in the past. For instance, "Using typewriters was something of the past by the late 1990s".

What's the difference between "is something of the past" and "is outdated"?

"Is something of the past" implies a gradual decline in relevance, while "is outdated" suggests that something is no longer current or modern but might still be in use.