phase out

slowly stop using or providing something over time

C1

What does "phase sth out" mean?

To phase something out means to remove or stop using it gradually, in a series of planned steps rather than all at once. The process is always deliberate — there is usually a timeline, a deadline, or a schedule involved. This phrasal verb is strongly associated with decisions made by governments, companies, and organisations: they might phase out an old technology, a harmful chemical, or a product line as part of a broader policy shift. The gradual nature is what makes it distinct — phasing something out can take months or even years, with each stage reducing its use until it disappears entirely. It is equally at home in a news article, a policy document, a business report, or a casual conversation about environmental regulations.

Examples

How to use it

phase out + object

The most common structure, used when the object is a noun phrase that stays after the particle.

The airline plans to phase out its older aircraft models over the next five years.

phase + object + out

Used when the object is a short noun phrase or pronoun, placed between the verb and particle.

The ministry confirmed it will phase the subsidy out by the end of the decade.

phase + pronoun + out

When the object is a pronoun, it must always go between the verb and the particle — it cannot follow the particle.

These outdated regulations are causing problems, so the government is planning to phase them out.

be phased out

The passive form is very natural, especially in journalistic and policy contexts where the focus is on what is being eliminated rather than who is doing it.

Single-use plastic straws have been phased out in most supermarkets across the country.

phase out + object + by / over + time expression

A time reference is very commonly added to specify the deadline or duration of the process.

The company intends to phase out all coal-based energy production by 2035.

Common Collocations

fossil fuelsold technologyplastic bagsa producta programmediesel vehicles

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'phase out' with 'phase in'

'Phase out' means to gradually stop or remove something, while 'phase in' means the opposite — to gradually introduce or start using something. These are direct antonyms, so using the wrong one completely reverses your meaning.

✗ The new safety standards will be phased out slowly over the next two years.
✓ The new safety standards will be phased in slowly over the next two years.
Pronoun placed after the particle

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and the particle. Placing a pronoun after 'out' is ungrammatical in English.

✗ The regulations are outdated, so they decided to phase out them.
✓ The regulations are outdated, so they decided to phase them out.
Using 'phase out' for sudden or unplanned stops

'Phase out' specifically implies a deliberate, staged process with a plan. If something stops immediately or without planning, verbs like 'cut out' or 'abolish' are more appropriate.

✗ The factory phased out production yesterday after the fire destroyed the equipment.
✓ The factory halted production yesterday after the fire destroyed the equipment.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both formal writing and everyday speech. It is especially common in news and policy contexts, often used with a future deadline: 'The company plans to phase out plastic packaging by 2025.'

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'phase out' be used without an object?

No — 'phase out' always requires an object, either explicit or clearly understood from the context. You need to specify what is being phased out. Unlike some phrasal verbs, there is no natural intransitive form, so you would say 'The government plans to phase it out' rather than simply 'The government plans to phase out.'

What kinds of things can be phased out?

The verb is most naturally used for things that are systematically eliminated as a matter of policy or progress — technologies, energy sources, chemicals, products, regulations, or programmes. It would sound unusual if used for something very personal or informal, such as a hobby or a friendship, where the gradual and institutional quality would feel out of place.

Does 'phase out' always refer to the future?

Not at all — it is used across many time frames. You will often see it with future references ('plans to phase out', 'will be phased out by 2030'), but the simple past ('the government phased out leaded petrol') and present perfect ('it has been phased out') are equally common when describing completed processes.

Is 'phase out' common in formal writing as well as speech?

Yes, it works naturally in both. It is particularly frequent in policy documents, news journalism, and official announcements, but there is no register barrier — you would hear it in an everyday conversation about environmental rules just as naturally as you would read it in a government report.

Does 'phase out' always involve an institution or organisation, or can an individual use it?

It is most strongly associated with institutional or corporate subjects, but individuals can use it too — for example, a doctor might advise a patient to phase out a certain medication gradually, or someone might say they are phasing out sugar from their diet. The key is that there is still a sense of a deliberate, step-by-step plan rather than a sudden decision.

Ready to practise?

Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.

Start Practising →