the deadline has passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to a timeline or deadline that has already gone by. For example, "We were supposed to submit our project by last Friday, but the deadline has passed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Now the deadline has passed.

Independent

The deadline has passed.

The New York Times

"The deadline has passed," a commission spokesman, Anthony Gooch, said.

The New York Times

The deadline has passed, but the competition has just begun.

The Guardian

The deadline has passed with little movement on the legislation.

The New York Times

Once the deadline has passed students will not be able to submit their quizzes.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The deadline had passed more than ten days earlier.

The New Yorker

The deadline had passed, but the department extended it for her.

The New York Times

"The campaign would still go forward," said Mr. Roberts, noting that the deadline had passed for changing the ballot.

The New York Times

The physical society was besieged by requests to present research findings at its March meeting — but the deadline had passed.

The New York Times - Science

Given that the deadline had passed, Varoufakis decided that Dijsselbloem had been "bullshitting" him, and asked, facetiously, if the train had reversed into the station.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the deadline has passed" to clearly indicate that a specific time limit for an action or submission is over, preventing further action related to it. For example, "The deadline has passed, so we cannot accept any more applications."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase when the deadline is still active or approaching. Incorrect usage can lead to confusion and missed opportunities. Ensure the deadline is actually over before stating "the deadline has passed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the deadline has passed" functions as a declarative statement, informing the audience that a specific timeframe for an action or submission is over. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the deadline has passed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that a specific time limit has expired. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, the phrase serves to inform, prevent further action, and provide closure. When using this phrase, ensure the deadline is truly over to avoid confusion. Consider alternatives like "the time limit has expired" for varied phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the time limit has expired

Replaces "deadline" with "time limit" and "passed" with "expired", focusing on the end of a set duration.

the due date is over

Substitutes "deadline" with "due date" and uses "is over" instead of "has passed", emphasizing completion.

the period has ended

Focuses on the termination of a specified "period", providing a more general sense of conclusion.

the allotted time is up

Highlights the consumption of "allotted time", indicating that no more time is available.

the window has closed

Employs a metaphorical "window" to represent the timeframe, suggesting the opportunity is no longer available.

the submission period is closed

Specifically refers to the end of a "submission period", suitable for contexts involving applications or entries.

the opportunity has lapsed

Indicates that an "opportunity" is no longer available because the timeframe has expired.

time's up

A more concise and informal way of saying the time has run out.

the hour is late

Implies lateness and possibly missed opportunities due to the passing of time.

we are past the cutoff

Highlights that we exceeded the "cutoff" time

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says, "The deadline has passed"?

It means that the time limit for a specific action, such as submitting an application or completing a task, has expired and is no longer valid.

How can I rephrase "The deadline has passed" in a professional email?

You could use alternatives like "the time limit has expired", "the due date is over", or "the period has ended" to convey the same message.

Is it appropriate to use "The deadline has passed" in formal writing?

Yes, "The deadline has passed" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider the context and choose a more precise alternative like "the submission period is closed" if it fits better.

What should I do if "the deadline has passed" for something I needed to submit?

Contact the relevant authority to inquire about possible extensions or alternative arrangements. Explain your situation clearly and provide any supporting documentation if necessary.