out of circulation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of circulation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an item that is unavailable for use. For example: "The book is out of circulation since it has been removed from the library."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He wrote: "Not that Terry is out of circulation.

The Guardian

It takes carbon out of circulation, reducing atmospheric concentrations.

The Guardian

But they're worthless, I realize, out of circulation.

The New Yorker

We were taking dangerous substances out of circulation".

The Guardian

P11 French strikers put trains and newspapers out of circulation.

The Guardian

Coin collectors may also take them out of circulation.

The Economist

Out of circulation Too clever by half The Big Five?

The Economist

Several have been out of circulation for decades.

The New Yorker

Such a step would take money out of circulation.

The New York Times

We did our part and took them out of circulation.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He dropped out of circulation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of circulation" to describe items, people, or ideas that are no longer readily available or actively participating in a process. For instance, a rare book might be "out of circulation" due to its scarcity.

Common error

Avoid using "out of circulation" when "unavailable" or "missing" provides a more precise description. "Out of circulation" implies a previous state of activity or availability, which isn't always the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of circulation" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating that something or someone is no longer accessible, active, or in use. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts, confirming its broad applicability. This phrase helps to specify a state of unavailability or inactivity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

HuffPost

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of circulation" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something is no longer available, active, or in use. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. With examples ranging from currency and films to individuals, the phrase is commonly found in news and media, reflecting its utility in describing various scenarios. While generally neutral in tone, it is essential to consider the context to ensure precision. Alternative phrases like "unavailable" or "discontinued" may provide more specificity depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unavailable

This term is a direct synonym, indicating that something is not accessible or obtainable.

no longer in use

This phrase specifies that something has ceased to be used.

discontinued

This term implies that something is no longer produced or offered.

withdrawn

This suggests that something has been removed or taken back from circulation.

retired

This implies that something has been removed from active service or use.

obsolete

This signifies that something is outdated and no longer in general use.

out of print

Specifically for publications, indicating that a book is no longer being published.

inactive

This denotes a state of not being currently active or operational.

passed its use-by date

This term means no longer acceptable or functional.

no longer functional

This alternative specifies that something is not working.

FAQs

How can I use "out of circulation" in a sentence?

You can use "out of circulation" to describe something that is no longer available or in use. For example: "That edition of the book is "out of print" and therefore, out of circulation."

What's a good substitute for "out of circulation"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "unavailable", "no longer in use", or "discontinued" as alternatives to "out of circulation".

When is it appropriate to use "out of circulation"?

"Out of circulation" is suitable when referring to something that was previously active or available but is now withdrawn or no longer accessible, like an old coin or a retired employee.

What does "out of circulation" imply?

"Out of circulation" implies that something has been removed from its usual or intended course of activity or availability. For example, a person might be "out of circulation" due to illness.