it has ceased to function

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has ceased to function" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is no longer working or operational. Example: "After years of use, the old printer has finally reached the end of its life; it has ceased to function completely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There was one note buried in the release that many people missed: "The emergency water circulation system was cooling the steam within the core; it has ceased to function".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

1259 82) erected a school "on the grounds of the old orphanotropheion", likely indicating that it had ceased to function for some time by then.

Wikipedia

(It is not surprising that our Constitution has ceased to function -- it was designed to prevent Parliamentary politics and institutionalized bribery and has now, thanks to the strategies of modern conservatism, been taken over by those two forces).

Huffington Post

Perhaps, then, it should come as no surprise that the old swingometer has ceased to function.

The Guardian - Opinion

The council has ceased to function, but during its operation the Whitney became the main center for scholarly study of much mid-century American art.

The New York Times

Life has ceased to function all around this part of the city, as it has in much of the heartland of the country.

The Guardian

"Our board has ceased to function effectively".

The New York Times

When the brain stem has ceased to function?

Encyclopedia Britannica

Somehow this house, this family home that we built up has ceased to function.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

FOREIGNERS may not have noticed the difference, but Japanese diplomacy has "ceased to function", according to the Yomiuri newspaper, Japan's most popular daily.

The Economist

"The global financial market has ceased to function," declared Gordon Brown, Britain's prime minister.In this section Lifelines Who's to blame?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has ceased to function", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. For example, instead of "It has ceased to function", say "The emergency water circulation system has ceased to function."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it has ceased to function" can sound overly formal or technical in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it's not working" or "it's broken" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has ceased to function" primarily functions as a statement indicating that something is no longer operational or working. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. The example sentence shows its use to describe the state of the emergency water circulation system.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has ceased to function" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that is no longer operational. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct in written English. While versatile, it tends to be more appropriate in professional or neutral contexts due to its formality. When writing, ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to, and consider simpler alternatives like "it's not working" in casual settings. Top sources using this phrase include The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is no longer functioning

Rephrasing using "is no longer" emphasizes the ongoing state of non-functionality.

it has stopped working

Emphasizes the action of stopping, rather than the state.

it is non-operational

A more formal and technical term for something not working.

it has become inoperative

A more formal alternative, implying a process of becoming non-functional.

it is defunct

Implies that something is no longer in existence or use.

it is out of order

A more informal way to say something isn't working.

it is disabled

Indicates that something has been intentionally rendered non-functional.

it is inactive

Suggests a lack of activity or operation.

it is not working

A simple and direct way of saying something isn't functioning.

it no longer works

Similar to "is not working" but with slightly more emphasis on a past ability to function.

FAQs

What does "it has ceased to function" mean?

The phrase "it has ceased to function" means that something has stopped working or is no longer operational. It implies that the item or system was previously functional but is now inactive or broken.

How can I use "it has ceased to function" in a sentence?

You can use "it has ceased to function" when you want to describe something that is no longer working. For example, "Due to the power outage, the traffic lights "have ceased to function"." or "After the accident, the machine "ceased to function" properly."

What can I say instead of "it has ceased to function"?

You can use alternatives like "it's not working", "it's broken", "it is non-operational", or "it has stopped working" depending on the context.

Is "it has ceased to function" formal or informal?

"It has ceased to function" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "it's not working" are more appropriate. The level of formality depends on the specific situation and audience.