to be mothballed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be mothballed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been put into storage or is no longer in active use, often temporarily. Example: "Due to budget cuts, the project will be mothballed until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"These heritage assets have to be mothballed," he says.

The Guardian

There were fears that Isis may have to be mothballed altogether.

The Guardian

Several Republicans agree it is a clear choice: they say the treaty ought to be mothballed for good.

The New York Times

A playground, installed by community volunteers some years ago, will also have to be mothballed if it can't be moved.

The New York Times

That arrangement ended last year when an ice storm snapped power lines, sparking a fire that also damaged walls, so the house had to be mothballed.

The New York Times

The statement comes after a series of announcements by UK steel manufacturers that plants will have to be mothballed or closed around the country.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

A wave of new publicly-funded incinerators being built to burn rubbish could be mothballed before they are even turned on, amid claims there will not be enough waste to fuel them.

Independent

The small-scale plant, which has been shipping liquefied natural gas to Asia since 1969, will be mothballed for potential future use.

The New York Times

Too bad the one I seem to like will shortly be mothballed.

TechCrunch

According to local media, Air Force One was landing at an air base that is home to the 179th Air National Guard Wing, which would be mothballed under the Obama administration's proposed postwar reductions in Pentagon spending.

The New York Times

As things stand, the project will be mothballed on completion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be mothballed" when you want to convey that an asset or project is being temporarily taken out of service but is expected to be reactivated in the future. This implies a state of preservation or readiness for later use.

Common error

Avoid using "to be mothballed" when the intention is to permanently shut down or dismantle something. Mothballing suggests a temporary state, whereas decommissioning implies a final closure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be mothballed" functions as a passive infinitive construction, often used as part of a verb phrase. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used. This construction typically describes a state or action performed upon a subject, indicating that something is being put into a state of preservation for potential future use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be mothballed" is a versatile phrase indicating a temporary removal from service with an expectation of future reactivation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects a temporary rather than permanent shutdown. Alternatives like "to be suspended" or "to be shelved" may be appropriate depending on the nuance you wish to convey. It is important to be mindful of register; while generally neutral, the term finds frequent use in professional and news-related discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be taken out of service

A more literal description of removing something from active use, similar to "to be mothballed".

to be suspended

Suggests a temporary halt in activity, close in meaning but not specific to equipment or facilities.

to be decommissioned

Indicates a more permanent removal from service compared to "to be mothballed".

to be put on hold

A general term for pausing an activity, less specific than "to be mothballed".

to be idled

Implies temporary inactivity, often due to economic or market conditions.

to be shelved

Implies a project or plan is postponed indefinitely, a subtly different meaning from "to be mothballed".

to be deactivated

Implies rendering something inoperative, often used for machinery or systems.

to be put into storage

Focuses on the physical act of storing something, applicable to physical objects, while "to be mothballed" has a broader range.

to be inactivated

Implies making something no longer functional, focusing on the process.

to be reserved

Suggests something kept for future use, synonymous with "to be mothballed" in some situations.

FAQs

What does it mean for something to be "to be mothballed"?

When something is "to be mothballed", it means it is being taken out of service but preserved in a way that allows for future reactivation. It's a temporary suspension, not a permanent closure.

When is it appropriate to use "to be mothballed"?

It's appropriate to use "to be mothballed" when describing assets, projects, or facilities that are temporarily suspended due to factors like budget cuts, economic downturns, or strategic realignments, with the expectation of future use.

What are some alternatives to saying "to be mothballed"?

You can use alternatives like "to be suspended", "to be shelved", or "to be put on hold" depending on the specific context.

Is "to be mothballed" different from "to be decommissioned"?

Yes, "to be mothballed" implies a temporary suspension with the possibility of future use, while "to be decommissioned" indicates a permanent removal from service.