lost its importance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost its importance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has become less significant or relevant over time. Example: "As technology has advanced, the traditional methods of communication have lost their importance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Under the Ottoman Empire it lost its importance, but it revived with the settlement there of Assyrian refugees from Iraq during the French mandate of Syria after 1932.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Casilinum was a strategic road junction and was contended for by the Carthaginian general Hannibal and the Romans from 216 to 211 bc, during the Second Punic War; it lost its importance to ancient Capua (now Santa Maria Capua Vetere), 3 miles (5 km) southeast.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Khyber Pass once was an important strategic gateway because it cut through the Spin Ghar instead of through the Hindu Kush, thus offering a comparatively easy route between the valley of the Kābul and the plains of Punjab; the pass lost its importance after it was superseded by a more accessible pass to the north.

Britannica

That's not to say it's unimportant and has lost its importance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Uyuni lost its importance when mineral prices dropped, but it regained growth through tourism.

Britannica

Initiation lost its importance as a means of conferring civic status; it became a purely religious ceremony.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

It doesn't mean the United States will lose its importance; it may share its importance".

The New York Times

A trend towards statistical significance was observed between the presence of TMPRSS2-ERG and a higher perineural invasion, which is a surrogate parameter of poor prognosis, although as an individual variable it loses its importance as a prognostic value in most of multivariate analyses.

BioMed Research International

"It's losing its importance somehow.

Vice

However, even if the religion was losing its importance for Durkheim, it still laid the foundation of modern society and the interactions that governed it.

Wikipedia

In particular, even if the risk factor for HIV acquisition might be a determinant for CRT selection at time of transmission [ 38], it seems to lose its importance over time.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost its importance" to clearly indicate that something once significant is no longer so, providing context as to why it declined. For example, "With the rise of online shopping, the local bookstore lost its importance as the primary source for books."

Common error

Avoid using "lost its importance" when the subject still holds some relevance. Instead, opt for phrases like "decreased in importance" or "plays a smaller role" to reflect a gradual decline rather than a complete loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost its importance" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating a decline in the significance or relevance of something. It typically acts as part of a clause, modifying a subject by stating it is no longer as significant as it once was. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

24%

News & Media

34%

Science

28%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost its importance" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has become less significant or relevant. Ludwig AI’s analysis shows it's frequently used in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications to describe declines in various fields. While its register is generally neutral, it’s crucial to avoid overstating the loss and consider alternatives like "decreased in importance" for gradual shifts. Remember, this phrase clearly indicates a past state of significance that is no longer present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost its relevance

This alternative directly mirrors the original phrase, substituting "importance" with "relevance".

diminished in significance

This alternative focuses on the reduction of importance or impact.

became less relevant

This alternative emphasizes a decrease in pertinence or applicability.

declined in prominence

This alternative highlights a reduction in visibility or fame.

receded in significance

This alternative portrays a gradual decline in importance or impact.

faded into obscurity

This alternative suggests a gradual disappearance from attention.

waned in influence

This alternative emphasizes a decrease in persuasive power or effect.

became outdated

This alternative implies that something is no longer current or useful.

became inconsequential

This alternative suggests a state of being unimportant or trivial.

became obsolete

This alternative indicates that something is no longer in use or produced.

FAQs

How can I use "lost its importance" in a sentence?

Use "lost its importance" to describe something that was once significant but is no longer as relevant or impactful. For instance, "With the advent of smartphones, standalone GPS devices have "lost their importance"".

What is a synonym for "lost its importance"?

Synonyms for "lost its importance" include "diminished in significance", "declined in prominence", and "became less relevant". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "loses its importance" instead of "lost its importance"?

Yes, "loses its importance" is correct, but it refers to something currently declining, while "lost its importance" refers to something whose decline is already complete. For example, "Traditional mail service loses its importance as email becomes more prevalent" (ongoing) versus "Traditional mail service lost its importance with the widespread adoption of email" (completed).

What's the difference between "lost its importance" and "lost its value"?

"Lost its importance" indicates a decline in relevance or significance, while "lost its value" suggests a decrease in worth or usefulness. A historical artifact might have "lost its importance" in modern society but not have lost its value to collectors.