it is obsolete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is obsolete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is no longer in use or has become outdated. Example: "With the rapid advancement of technology, many traditional methods of communication are now considered obsolete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Some say it is obsolete.

The New York Times

Mr. Issacson wants to rewrite that law, saying it is obsolete in the Internet age.

The New York Times

It is obsolete and is being kept here for historical reasons.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nobody believes that every household should junk a TV or VCR before it is obsolete.

The New York Times

It is fossilised both because it is obsolete and because it is a product of the age of fossil fuels.

The Guardian

Well, that's a categorical statement which cannot be -- of course, it had more to it then, although to some extent it is obsolete now.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The number of recalcitrant governments that gather data but refuse to release it, or release it when it is obsolete-late, is falling -- slowly but surely.

HuffPost

It's obsolete.

The New Yorker

"It's obsolete," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was obsolete long before imperial times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Will it be obsolete in 10 years?

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is obsolete", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

While "it is obsolete" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Opt for synonyms like "outdated" or "no longer relevant" for a more nuanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is obsolete" functions as a declarative statement, asserting that something is no longer in use or relevant due to being outdated. As Ludwig shows, this phrase frequently appears in news and academic contexts to describe technologies, practices, or ideas that have been surpassed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

26%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is obsolete" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote that something is outdated or no longer in use. Ludwig highlights its prevalence across news, academic, and scientific domains, indicating its versatility in both formal and informal contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's advisable to consider synonyms like "outdated" or "no longer relevant" in formal writing to avoid overuse. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is outdated

Replaces 'obsolete' with 'outdated', suggesting something is no longer current or fashionable.

it is outmoded

Substitutes 'obsolete' with 'outmoded', suggesting something is no longer stylish or suitable.

it is no longer in use

Rephrases 'obsolete' to directly state that something is not currently being used.

it is antiquated

Replaces 'obsolete' with 'antiquated', implying something is old and no longer useful.

it is no longer relevant

Focuses on the lack of current relevance rather than the state of being outdated.

it has become outdated

Indicates a process of becoming outdated over time.

it is superseded

Suggests something has been replaced by something newer or better.

it is a thing of the past

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate something belongs to a previous time.

it is a relic

Emphasizes that something is a surviving trace of a past age.

it is passé

Borrowed from French, suggests something is no longer fashionable or current.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it is obsolete"?

You can use alternatives like "it is outdated", "it is no longer in use", or "it is no longer relevant" depending on the context.

How to use "it is obsolete" in a sentence?

Use "it is obsolete" to describe something that is no longer used because something newer exists or because it is no longer effective. For example, "That technology is so old, "it is obsolete"."

Which is correct, "it is obsolete" or "it was obsolete"?

Both "it is obsolete" and "it was obsolete" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "It is obsolete" describes something currently out of date, while "it was obsolete" describes something that was out of date in the past.

What's the difference between "it is obsolete" and "it is outdated"?

While similar, ""it is obsolete"" often implies a complete replacement or disuse, whereas "it is outdated" can simply mean something is no longer current but still functional.