rendered obsolete

USAGE SUMMARY

"rendered obsolete" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been outdated or replaced by something new. For example, "This model of cell phone has been rendered obsolete due to the introduction of newer models."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Passbooks were rendered obsolete.

The New York Times

Travel agents, for example, rendered obsolete by Orbitz and Expedia.

The Washington Post

Unfortunately, this means that your role with the company has been rendered obsolete.

The New Yorker

Why invest in expensive technology that might be rendered obsolete by future regulatory action?

The Economist

THE list of longshore jobs that technology has rendered obsolete is long and poignant.

The New York Times

My point is that data denial policies amongst nations will ultimately be rendered obsolete.

The New York Times

In the process, traditional thinking about online security has been rendered obsolete.

The Economist

Ms Rey reckons the trilemma itself has been rendered obsolete by financial globalisation.

The Economist

The current rate of change virtually ensures that any acceptable list would quickly be rendered obsolete.

Harvard University

As an issue it has been rendered obsolete by biotech, cloning, the human genome.

The Guardian

"Suddenly walls, towers, moats all were rendered obsolete," Mr. Bobbitt writes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rendered obsolete" to clearly communicate that something is no longer useful or effective because of new technology, methods, or conditions. For example, "The invention of the smartphone has rendered many older forms of communication obsolete."

Common error

Avoid using "rendered obsolete" interchangeably with terms like "outdated" or "old" without considering the context. "Rendered obsolete" implies a more definitive displacement by something newer or better, not just a simple aging process. Make sure the new technology/method/condition is available and not just a future intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rendered obsolete" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject has been made outdated or no longer useful due to a specific cause, often a newer technology or method. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples showcasing its descriptive capability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rendered obsolete" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as verified by Ludwig. It effectively describes the state of something being outdated or superseded, typically due to technological advancements or changing circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, academic, and encyclopedic writing. While effective, consider contextually appropriate alternatives like "became outdated" or "became irrelevant" to enhance clarity and impact. Remember that while interchangeable, using the correct choice of words improve the message clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become superseded

Highlights that something has been replaced by a newer or better alternative.

become outdated

Focuses on the process of becoming outdated rather than an action making it so.

become outmoded

Similar to outdated, but carries a stronger connotation of being unfashionable or no longer stylish.

become antiquated

Implies something is old-fashioned and no longer suitable for modern use.

become defunct

Implies a complete cessation of function or existence.

become unusable

Highlights the loss of the ability to be used effectively.

become irrelevant

Focuses on a lack of importance or connection to the current situation.

fall into disuse

Indicates a gradual decline in usage and eventual abandonment.

become passé

Strongly emphasizes that something is no longer fashionable or current.

become superannuated

Suggests something has become obsolete due to age or long use.

FAQs

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

"Rendered obsolete" is used to describe something that is no longer useful because it has been replaced by something newer or more effective. For example, "The introduction of digital cameras "rendered obsolete" film cameras for many photographers."

What's a good alternative to "rendered obsolete"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "became outdated", "became superfluous", or "became irrelevant" instead of "rendered obsolete".

What does it mean for something to be "rendered obsolete" by technology?

When something is "rendered obsolete" by technology, it means that a new technological advancement has made the older technology or method no longer practical or necessary. This often leads to the decline or abandonment of the older technology.

Is it correct to say "made obsolete" instead of "rendered obsolete"?

Yes, "made obsolete" is a grammatically correct and commonly used alternative to "rendered obsolete". Both phrases convey the same meaning. However, "rendered obsolete" might sound more formal in certain contexts.