retired from service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retired from service" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has officially ceased to be active or operational, often in the context of employment or military service. Example: "After 30 years of dedicated work, he finally retired from service and looked forward to enjoying his retirement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

In April 1935 the Olympic was retired from service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After completion of the ISS, the shuttle fleet was retired from service in 2011.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of those, about half are likely to be retired from service, Dr. Burghardt said.

The New York Times

The final Checker retired from service in New York 17 years later.

The New York Times

After completion of the ISS, the shuttle was retired from service in 2011.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For unrelated reasons, the Constellation was retired from service in August 2003.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

He even stayed loyal when told to retire from service in March.

The Guardian

As we go to press, the City Transit Authority is about to retire from service on the Myrtle Ave L in Bklyn.

The New Yorker

The French police dog, killed during a major counter-terror operation in Saint-Denis, Paris, was due to retire from service in a few months, his handler has said.

Independent

So what if the next "sequester" requires several scores of lawmakers to retire from service by means of seppuku?

Huffington Post

After retiring from service, he became a popular activist, speaking at meetings organized by veterans, pacifists, and church groups in the 1930s.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "retired from service", clearly specify the type of service (e.g., military, public, government) to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using present tense when describing a past event. Instead of "He retires from service next year", use "He retired from service last year" or "He will retire from service next year" depending on when the event happened/will happen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retired from service" typically functions as a declarative statement indicating the cessation of active duty or employment. It usually acts as part of a sentence describing someone's past or future status. Ludwig's examples show it clearly in use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retired from service" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that someone or something has ceased active duty or operation, particularly in the military, public sector, or government. Ludwig confirms its acceptability. It is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify the type of service being referenced. Related phrases include "left active duty" and "discharged from duty", offering similar meanings with subtle differences. When writing, be mindful of using the correct tense to accurately reflect when the retirement occurred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separated from service

A formal term indicating the end of a service period, often in military context.

left active duty

Focuses on the cessation of active military duty.

released from duty

Similar to discharged, focusing on the act of being freed from a specific obligation.

discharged from duty

Specifically refers to being formally released from a duty or obligation.

completed service

Emphasizes the completion of a term or period of duty.

transitioned out of service

Emphasizes the process of moving from active service to another state.

ended tenure

Focuses on the termination of a held position or office.

concluded employment

Highlights the termination of an employment contract or job.

no longer employed

Simple and direct way to state that someone is not currently employed.

ceased work

A general term indicating the stopping of work or employment.

FAQs

How can I use "retired from service" in a sentence?

You can use "retired from service" to indicate that someone or something is no longer active or operational. For example, "After 20 years in the military, he "retired from service" and started a new career."

What is a synonym for "retired from service"?

Alternatives include "left active duty", "discharged from duty", or "separated from service", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "retired of service" instead of "retired from service"?

No, the correct phrasing is ""retired from service"". The preposition "from" is necessary to properly convey the meaning of leaving a service.

What's the difference between ""retired from service"" and "resigned from a position"?

"Retired from service" typically implies completing a term of duty, especially in the military or public sector, while "resigned from a position" indicates voluntarily leaving a job or role before the typical end of service.