made obsolete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made obsolete" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something has become outdated or no longer relevant. Example: The invention of smartphones has made landline phones obsolete.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Radar made obsolete the slow and inaccurate older listening devices.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their efficiency in lateral control made obsolete the Wright brothers' system of wing warping.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then there's the fundamental premise of the show, which is that books have been made obsolete.

The New Yorker

Industry sales are shrinking as PCs are made obsolete by other devices.

The Economist

Time passed and the Dell went the way of all things made obsolete by Moore's Law.

The Economist

But one by one, such intermediaries are being made obsolete by technology.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Because ENIAC was fully electronic it made obsolete any other approach to machine calculation.

University of California, Berkeley

Kumble is exactly the sort of player supposedly made obsolete by Twenty20.

The New York Times - Sports

They have made obsolete old constructs like "form" or "possession" or "game plan".

The Guardian - Sport

It made obsolete the sleek white-room futures of earlier science fiction films.

The New York Times

The war on drugs has not been lost, it has been made obsolete.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made obsolete" when highlighting the impact of innovation or change on pre-existing systems or technologies.

Common error

Avoid using "made obsolete" in situations where 'improved' or 'updated' would be more accurate. Overstating obsolescence can diminish the credibility of your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made obsolete" functions as a passive voice construction, typically used to describe how an innovation or change has rendered something outdated or unnecessary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, showing its utility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

18%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made obsolete" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction indicating that something has been rendered outdated or unnecessary, often due to technological advancements or changes. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in news media, academic writing, and encyclopedia entries. When using "made obsolete", ensure clear context and avoid overuse in overly dramatic situations where simpler terms like “improved” or “updated” might be more appropriate. Remember that it’s best to check with context and adapt to the right use case to have accurate professional results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of date

Similar to 'outdated', but puts more emphasis on recency.

become outdated

Emphasizes the passage of time and the loss of relevance.

replaced

Simple and direct term for being exchanged with something new.

superseded

Highlights the act of being replaced, often by something superior.

outmoded

Highlights something as unfashionable or obsolete.

rendered unnecessary

Focuses on the removal of necessity due to a replacement or change.

become defunct

Indicates that something has ceased to exist or function.

made redundant

Highlights the concept of no longer being needed, often due to duplication.

no longer in use

Focuses on the cessation of use or practice.

fallen into disuse

Emphasizes neglect and abandonment over time.

FAQs

How can I use "made obsolete" in a sentence?

You can use "made obsolete" to indicate that something is no longer useful or relevant because of a new invention, technology, or development. For example, "The rise of streaming services has "made obsolete" the need for physical media such as DVDs".

What are some alternatives to "made obsolete"?

Some alternatives to "made obsolete" include "rendered unnecessary", "become outdated", or "superseded". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "made obsolete" or "became obsolete"?

"Made obsolete" implies an external force caused something to become outdated, while "became obsolete" simply states that something is no longer in use. For example, "The invention of the printing press "made obsolete" the need for hand-copied manuscripts", versus, "Typewriters "became obsolete" as computers became more popular".

What's the difference between "made obsolete" and "outdated"?

"Made obsolete" indicates that something was actively replaced or caused to be no longer needed. "Outdated" simply means that something is old and no longer current, but it might still be in use. So, not everything that is outdated is "made obsolete".