was rendered obsolete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was rendered obsolete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has become outdated or no longer in use due to advancements or changes in technology, society, or other factors. Example: "With the rise of smartphones, traditional cameras were rendered obsolete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

San Francisco's vaunted read-option was rendered obsolete Sunday thanks to Green Bay's unblocked outside linebackers, who were the aggressors and immediately attacked the unprotected Kaepernick.

The New York Times - Sports

The schedule that was released on July 23 , 1998 was rendered obsolete by Oct. 13, when the N.B.A. announced its first round of game cancellations.

The New York Times - Sports

Less than two years after its completion, however, the wire was rendered obsolete by more sophisticated technology: a communication network transmitting microwave beams through the air.

The Guardian - Opinion

From Tower to Billboard Kiosk Times Tower, though priceless as a promotional milestone, was rendered obsolete as a physical plant in less than a decade.

The New York Times

In the meantime, air traffic controllers will keep using the old tower, which was rendered obsolete by the $1.3 billion expansion of a terminal by American Airlines.

The New York Times

Speculation about the course of the second opium war between Britain and China, based on reports several months old, was rendered obsolete overnight by the completion of the transatlantic cable, which had delivered the news that the war was over.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Passbooks were rendered obsolete.

The New York Times

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was rendered obsolete" to describe how advancements or changes have made something outdated or unnecessary. For example: "The invention of the smartphone was rendered obsolete pagers."

Common error

While "was rendered obsolete" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "became outdated" or "isn't used anymore" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was rendered obsolete" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something has been made outdated or no longer useful by an external factor. According to Ludwig, it's correctly used in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was rendered obsolete" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has become outdated or no longer useful, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as in wiki contexts, indicating its descriptive nature. Alternatives such as "became outdated" or "was made irrelevant" can be used in less formal settings. While versatile, it's best used to describe situations where an external factor has directly caused something to become obsolete.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became outdated

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way to express that something is no longer current or useful.

was made irrelevant

This alternative focuses on the loss of importance or significance of something.

became defunct

This alternative emphasizes the cessation of operation or existence.

was superseded

This alternative means something has been replaced by something newer or better.

lost its relevance

This alternative highlights the decrease in importance or applicability.

was invalidated

This alternative is used when something becomes no longer legally or officially acceptable.

became outmoded

This alternative suggests something is no longer fashionable or in style.

was phased out

This alternative suggests a gradual withdrawal from use.

became unnecessary

This alternative describes when something is no longer needed or required.

was antiquated

This alternative means something is very old and no longer useful or suitable.

FAQs

What does "was rendered obsolete" mean?

The phrase "was rendered obsolete" means something has become outdated or no longer useful due to advancements, changes, or the introduction of something new.

What can I say instead of "was rendered obsolete"?

You can use alternatives like "became outdated", "was made irrelevant", or "became defunct" depending on the context.

How to use "was rendered obsolete" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The introduction of email was rendered obsolete the use of postal mail for urgent communication." It indicates that postal mail is no longer the primary method for urgent messages.

Which is correct, "was rendered obsolete" or "became obsolete"?

Both phrases are correct, but "was rendered obsolete" is more formal and emphasizes the action that caused the obsolescence. "Became obsolete" is more direct and simpler.