it has lapsed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has lapsed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has expired, become invalid, or is no longer in effect, often in legal or formal contexts. Example: "The contract was supposed to be renewed last month, but it has lapsed, and we need to discuss our options."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Once notorious for the rule of President Bokassa (1963-1979), who called it the Central African Empire and crowned himself as its Emperor, it has lapsed into obscurity and chronic instability.

Independent

"It is much harder to restore bulk collection after it has lapsed than it would have been to simply extend it," he added.

The Guardian

Such clauses are generally effective, unless the public authority has acted in bad faith, in which case the decision impugned may be subject to judicial review even though the time permitted for challenging it has lapsed.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I thought it had lapsed," he said.

The Guardian

They told her that it had lapsed and that she would have to take another test.

The New Yorker

It had lapsed at the end of the 2013.

Huffington Post

Peacekeeping is major part of a certain Canadian identity and it had lapsed dangerously under Stephen Harper, costing the country a seat on the UN Security Council in 2010.

Vice

They had had such a column once before in the 1930s; then it had lapsed, and they had sought for years and years to have such a person write the column.

Huffington Post

The 1948 score provided copyright protection to the work in America, where it had lapsed, but Boosey (who acquired the Editions Russe catalogue) did not have the rights to the revised finale.

Wikipedia

There have been moments where I've lapsed, and the line between lapse and relapse has become so incredibly thin.

Vice

Here my with-it colleague has lapsed into an archaism.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has lapsed", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject (e.g., "the contract has lapsed" instead of just "it has lapsed").

Common error

Avoid using "it had lapsed" when the present perfect tense is more appropriate. "It has lapsed" implies the effect is still relevant now, whereas "it had lapsed" refers to a past situation with no present relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has lapsed" functions as a statement indicating that something has expired, become invalid, or is no longer in effect. Ludwig provides examples where it refers to contracts, licenses, or even personal habits, showcasing its versatile application.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has lapsed" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something has expired or become invalid. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is varied, spanning from formal contexts like contracts and licenses to more general situations. Its formality depends on the context, making it suitable for both professional and neutral communication. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the subject of "it" is unambiguous. Keep in mind its specific connotation of termination and consider alternatives like "it has expired" or "it is no longer valid" for subtly different meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has expired

Focuses specifically on the termination of a period of validity.

it has become invalid

Highlights the loss of legal or official standing.

it is no longer valid

A more formal way of saying something is not currently in effect.

it has run out

Implies that a resource or time period has been fully consumed.

it has timed out

Specifically refers to the expiration of a time-limited process.

it has ceased to be in effect

A formal phrase indicating termination of effectiveness.

it is no longer active

Suggests a state of inactivity or termination of service.

it has terminated

Emphasizes the formal ending or conclusion of something.

it is out of date

Indicates that something is old and no longer applicable or useful.

it has defaulted

Implies a failure to meet an obligation or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "it has lapsed" in a sentence?

Use "it has lapsed" to indicate that something has expired, become invalid, or is no longer in effect. For example, "The agreement was not renewed, so "it has lapsed"".

What are some alternatives to "it has lapsed"?

You can use alternatives such as "it has expired", "it has become invalid", or "it is no longer valid" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it had lapsed" instead of "it has lapsed"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings. "It has lapsed" implies the state of being lapsed is still relevant, while "it had lapsed" refers to a past action with no present connection.

When is it appropriate to use "it has lapsed" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in legal, business, or academic contexts when you need to state that a contract, agreement, or license is no longer in effect. Always ensure that the context clearly defines what "it" refers to.