the contract expired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the contract expired" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a contract that is no longer valid due to the passage of time. Example: "After reviewing the terms, we realized that the contract expired last month, and we need to negotiate a new agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

The contract expired early Tuesday.

The New York Times

The contract expired in July.

The New York Times

The league and the union have been negotiating since July, when the contract expired.

The New York Times

Target said it would work with Amazon until the contract expired.

The New York Times

Gas prices dropped significantly when the contract expired in May 2001.

The New York Times

The two sides averted a strike by reaching an agreement several hours after the contract expired.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The contract expires Sept. 15.

The New York Times - Sports

The contract expires in September 2005.

The New York Times

The contract expires at the end of next season.

The New York Times - Sports

What will they go up to after the contract expires?

The New York Times - Tech

The contract expires at the end of this year, the authority said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the date or timeframe when the contract expired to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity, such as "the contract expired on July 1st".

Common error

Be aware of automatic renewal clauses in contracts. Many contracts automatically renew unless one party provides notice of non-renewal before "the contract expired". Failing to provide timely notice can lead to unexpected continuation of the agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the contract expired" functions as a statement of fact, indicating that a legally binding agreement has reached its end date and is no longer in effect. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in diverse contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the contract expired" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that a contract has reached its end date. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, business, and general contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to provide sufficient context, such as the specific date of expiration and any subsequent actions being taken. Be aware of potential automatic renewal clauses to avoid unintended continuation of the agreement. Related phrases, such as "the agreement terminated" or "the contract came to an end", can offer alternative ways to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the agreement terminated

Replaces 'contract' with 'agreement' and 'expired' with 'terminated', both synonyms suggesting the end of a formal arrangement.

the contract lapsed

Lapsed is a slightly more formal synonym for expired, indicating the contract is no longer in effect.

the contract came to an end

Emphasizes the conclusion of the contract's duration, rather than focusing on the expiration itself.

the contract ran out

A more informal way of saying the contract has reached its end date.

the contract's duration concluded

Highlights the completion of the contract's predefined time frame.

the terms of the contract were no longer valid

Focuses on the invalidity of the contract's terms after its expiration, highlighting its legal status.

the contract finished

A simpler, more direct way to state the contract has ended.

the agreement was no longer in effect

Shifts focus to the 'agreement' and its lack of effect, rather than the act of expiring.

the contract was not renewed

Indicates the contract was deliberately not extended beyond its original expiry date.

the contract's validity ceased

Focuses on the legal validity ending, a more formal construction.

FAQs

What does it mean when a contract expires?

When "the contract expired", it means the agreement has reached the end of its term and is no longer legally binding unless renewed or extended.

What happens after "the contract expired"?

After "the contract expired", the parties are no longer obligated to fulfill the terms of the agreement. Continuing the arrangement may require negotiating a new contract or extending the existing one.

What's the difference between "the contract expired" and the contract was terminated?

"The contract expired" means the contract reached its natural end date. Termination implies the contract was ended before its scheduled expiry, often due to a breach of contract or other specific reason.

What are some alternatives to saying "the contract expired"?

You can use alternatives like "the agreement terminated", "the contract came to an end", or "the contract lapsed" to express the end of the contract in different ways.