A1 noun #2,627 am häufigsten 3 Min. Lesezeit

expire

§ Understanding 'Expire'

The word 'expire' is a very useful word to know in English, especially when you are dealing with things that have a limited lifespan or a specific validity period. It helps us understand when something is no longer good to use or no longer active. Let's break down what it means and how it's commonly used.

DEFINITION
To come to an end or stop being valid because a specific date has been reached. It is commonly used for food, documents, and shopping offers.

In simpler terms, when something 'expires', it means it has reached its end date. After this date, it's usually not good to use anymore, or it doesn't work as it should. Think of it like a countdown to a specific moment when something changes from being valid to being invalid.

§ Common Uses of 'Expire'

The definition mentions three main areas where 'expire' is very common: food, documents, and shopping offers. Let's look at each of these in more detail to get a clearer picture.

  • Food: This is perhaps one of the most common ways you'll encounter the word 'expire'. Most food products have an 'expiration date' or 'best before date' printed on their packaging. This date tells you until when the food is safe to eat or at its best quality.

The milk will expire next week, so we should drink it soon.

Don't eat those yogurts; they expired two days ago.

  • Documents: Many important documents have a validity period, and they 'expire' after a certain date. This includes things like passports, driver's licenses, and visas. Once they expire, they are no longer legally valid, and you might need to renew them.

My passport will expire next month, so I need to apply for a new one.

You can't travel with an expired visa.

  • Shopping Offers/Deals: Retailers often have special promotions, discounts, or coupons that are only valid for a limited time. These offers will 'expire' on a specific date, meaning you can no longer use them after that date.

The 20% discount coupon will expire at the end of the week.

I missed the sale because the offer expired yesterday.

§ Why is 'Expire' Important?

Knowing when something will expire is crucial for several reasons:

  • Safety: For food and medicine, expiration dates are there for your health and safety.
  • Legality: For documents, an expired document can cause legal problems or prevent you from doing certain things, like traveling.
  • Financial: For offers, missing an expiration date means missing out on savings.
  • Planning: Understanding expiration helps you plan better, whether it's for grocery shopping, travel, or using a discount.

In summary, 'expire' is a word that signifies the end of validity or usability for various items and situations. It's an important concept to grasp for everyday life, helping you make informed decisions about what you eat, what documents you use, and what deals you take advantage of.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

"Please check the expiration date on your passport before traveling internationally."

Neutral

"This coupon will expire at the end of the month."

Informell

"If you don't eat those leftovers soon, they'll go bad."

Child friendly

"Our milk is going to run out tomorrow, so we need to buy more."

Umgangssprache

"My old phone is totally kaput; the battery died."

Wichtige Grammatik

Nouns can be countable or uncountable. 'Expire' as a noun is typically uncountable in this context, referring to the state of expiring rather than individual instances.

The expire of the milk is tomorrow.

Nouns can act as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition.

The expire of the contract was unexpected.

Nouns can be modified by adjectives to provide more specific information.

The upcoming expire of their visas caused concern.

Possessive nouns (formed with 's or s') show ownership or a close relationship.

The document's expire date was clearly marked.

Nouns can be used in compound nouns, where two or more words combine to form a new noun.

They checked the expire date on the coupon.

Synonyme

end finish run out terminate lapse

Häufige Kollokationen

expire date
expire soon
expire contract
expire food
expire passport
expire visa
expire warranty
expire coupon
expire offer
expire membership

Häufige Phrasen

When does this expire?

My passport is going to expire.

The milk expired yesterday.

Don't let your license expire.

This coupon expires next week.

The offer will expire at midnight.

Check the expire date on the food.

I need to renew it before it expires.

The warranty expires in a month.

My gym membership expired.

Grammatikmuster

Subject + verb (expire) Present simple tense for general truths or scheduled events Future tense (will expire, going to expire) Past tense (expired) Prepositions of time (on [date], soon) Use with common nouns like 'food', 'passport', 'milk', 'coupon'

Satzmuster

A1

My [noun] expires on [date].

My passport expires on December 31st.

A1

The [noun] will expire soon.

The milk will expire soon.

A1

[Noun] expires.

Food expires.

A1

When does your [noun] expire?

When does your membership expire?

A1

This [noun] is going to expire.

This coupon is going to expire.

A1

Don't let your [noun] expire.

Don't let your license expire.

A1

My [noun] has expired.

My gift card has expired.

A1

The [noun] expired yesterday.

The warranty expired yesterday.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

When a food item reaches its 'best by' date, it might expire soon after.

  • best by date
  • expiration date
  • shelf life

Your passport or driver's license will expire, so you need to renew it before that happens.

  • renew a passport
  • driver's license expiration
  • validity period

Many shopping coupons and offers expire at the end of the month.

  • coupon expiration
  • limited time offer
  • valid until

Library books have a due date, and if you don't return them, they are considered expired.

  • due date
  • overdue books
  • loan period

Software licenses often expire after a certain period, requiring you to purchase a new one.

  • software license
  • subscription renewal
  • trial period

Gesprächseinstiege

"What do you usually check the expiration date for when you're at the grocery store?"

"Have you ever had a document or ID expire on you unexpectedly? What did you do?"

"What kind of shopping offers do you usually try to use before they expire?"

"How often do you check the expiration dates of food in your fridge?"

"What happens if you use something after its expiration date?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe a time you almost missed using a coupon or offer because it was about to expire. What did you buy?

Write about the importance of checking expiration dates on food. Have you ever eaten something expired by accident?

Imagine you're planning a trip abroad. What documents would you need to check for expiration, and why is it so important?

Reflect on something you have that has an expiration date, like a credit card or a membership. What happens when it expires?

Think about a time you had to renew something because it was about to expire. What was the process like?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

When food expires, it means it's no longer safe to eat or has lost its quality after a certain date. Always check the expiration date on food products to ensure freshness and safety.

It depends on the item. For some things, like certain medications, it's very important to not use them past their expiration date. For others, like some packaged foods, they might still be safe for a short time but the quality might not be as good. It's always best to err on the side of caution.

Eating expired food can sometimes lead to food poisoning, which can cause symptoms like stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea. The severity depends on the type of food and how long it's been expired.

Yes, absolutely! Documents like passports, driver's licenses, and visas have expiration dates. Once they expire, they are no longer valid and you'll need to renew them.

If your passport expires, you'll need to apply for a renewal. It's a good idea to check the expiration date well in advance of any travel plans to avoid issues.

The time it takes for something to expire varies greatly depending on the item. Some items, like fresh produce, might expire in a few days, while others, like canned goods, can last for years. Always check the packaging for specific dates.

Generally, once a shopping offer or coupon expires, it's no longer valid and you can't use it or get a refund. It's important to use them before their stated expiration date.

Yes, there is! 'Best by' dates usually refer to when a product is at its peak quality, not necessarily when it becomes unsafe. An 'expiration date,' however, is a firm date after which the product should not be consumed or used.

A good way to remember is to regularly check expiration dates, especially for perishable items. You can also write the date on items when you put them away or use reminder apps.

They are very similar in meaning, especially for food. 'Expire' specifically refers to reaching a date where something is no longer valid or safe. 'Go bad' can be a more general term for something spoiling or becoming unusable, which can happen before an expiration date if not stored properly. So, while related, 'expire' is more about the specific date.

Teste dich selbst 36 Fragen

multiple choice A1

My milk will ____ soon. I need to drink it.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expire

Expire means to come to an end, often used for food.

multiple choice A1

This coupon will ____ next week. Use it now!

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expire

Expire is used when something stops being valid, like a coupon.

multiple choice A1

My passport will ____ next year. I need a new one.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expire

Documents like passports can expire, meaning they are no longer valid.

true false A1

If food expires, it is still good to eat.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Falsch

When food expires, it means it is no longer safe or good to eat.

true false A1

A valid document has not expired yet.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Richtig

If a document is valid, it means it is still active and has not reached its expiration date.

true false A1

Shopping offers can expire.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Richtig

Shopping offers often have a specific date when they end or expire.

writing B1

Imagine you're checking your fridge. Write two sentences about food items that are about to expire and what you plan to do with them.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

My yogurt will expire tomorrow, so I need to eat it for breakfast. The milk is also close to its expiration date, so I'll use it to make a smoothie.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing B1

You are organizing important documents. Write two sentences about a document that needs to be renewed because it will expire soon.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

My passport is going to expire next month, so I need to make an appointment to renew it. It's important to do this before my international trip.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing B1

You found a great shopping offer online. Write two sentences explaining when the offer will expire and if you plan to use it.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

The online discount code will expire at the end of the week, so I need to decide soon if I want to use it. I'm thinking of buying a new pair of shoes.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
reading B1

What did Sarah decide to do with the milk?

Read this passage:

Sarah was looking through her pantry. She found a carton of milk that had a 'best by' date of yesterday. Although it hadn't expired in the sense of being unsafe, she knew it wouldn't taste fresh for much longer. She decided to use it to make pancakes for breakfast.

What did Sarah decide to do with the milk?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Make pancakes with it.

The passage states, 'She decided to use it to make pancakes for breakfast.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Make pancakes with it.

The passage states, 'She decided to use it to make pancakes for breakfast.'

reading B1

When does the special offer expire?

Read this passage:

Mark received an email about a special offer from his favorite online store. The email clearly stated, 'This offer expires on Friday at midnight.' Mark wanted to buy a new jacket, but he wasn't sure if he would have time to browse the website before the deadline. He made a mental note to check the store after work on Thursday.

When does the special offer expire?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: On Friday at midnight.

The passage says, 'This offer expires on Friday at midnight.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: On Friday at midnight.

The passage says, 'This offer expires on Friday at midnight.'

reading B1

What was Maria doing when she noticed her driver's license expiration?

Read this passage:

Maria was filling out a form for her driver's license renewal. She noticed that her current license was set to expire in two months. She knew it was important to renew it before the expiration date to avoid any penalties. She immediately started gathering the necessary documents.

What was Maria doing when she noticed her driver's license expiration?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Filling out a renewal form.

The passage states, 'Maria was filling out a form for her driver's license renewal.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Filling out a renewal form.

The passage states, 'Maria was filling out a form for her driver's license renewal.'

listening B2

Listen for when the milk will no longer be good to consume.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: The milk will expire next week, so we should drink it soon.
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening B2

Listen for what document has an important date to check.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Make sure to check the expiration date on your passport before booking international travel.
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening B2

Listen for when the discount offer is no longer valid.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: This coupon expires at the end of the month, so don't forget to use it.
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking B2

Read this aloud:

The warranty for this electronics device will expire in six months.

Focus: ex-PIRE

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking B2

Read this aloud:

My driver's license is about to expire, so I need to renew it soon.

Focus: ex-PIRE

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking B2

Read this aloud:

Many store loyalty points expire if you don't use them within a certain period.

Focus: ex-PIRE

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
fill blank C1

The stringent new regulations will inevitably lead to the ___ of several smaller, less competitive businesses.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expiration

In this context, 'expiration' refers to the end or termination of the businesses' operational validity, aligning with the idea of them coming to an end.

fill blank C1

Despite numerous extensions, the permit is now perilously close to its ___ date, necessitating urgent renewal applications.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expiration

'Expiration date' is the common phrase used to indicate when something ceases to be valid, fitting the context of a permit needing renewal.

fill blank C1

The company faces significant legal repercussions if they continue to operate on a license that has already reached its official ___.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expiration

Here, 'expiration' signifies the point at which the license is no longer valid, making continued operation illegal.

fill blank C1

Many pharmaceutical products have a clearly marked ___ date, beyond which their efficacy and safety cannot be guaranteed.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expiration

'Expiration date' is the standard term for when a product, especially pharmaceuticals, is no longer considered safe or effective.

fill blank C1

The contract's ___ clause stipulates that all agreements become null and void after a predetermined period.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expiration

An 'expiration clause' in a contract details when the contract ceases to be valid, making 'expiration' the most appropriate choice.

fill blank C1

Consumers are advised to regularly check the ___ dates on perishable goods to avoid potential health risks.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expiration

Checking 'expiration dates' on perishable goods is crucial for food safety, indicating when they are no longer fit for consumption.

multiple choice C1

The new regulations stipulate that all digital certificates will ___ after five years, necessitating a renewal process.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expire

To 'expire' means to come to an end or cease to be valid, which fits the context of digital certificates needing renewal.

multiple choice C1

Despite their efforts to salvage the project, the funding agreement was set to ___ at the end of the fiscal quarter.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expire

The word 'expire' correctly indicates that the funding agreement would cease to be valid at a specific time.

multiple choice C1

The stringent safety protocols dictate that the efficacy of the emergency medical supplies will ___ within two years of their manufacturing date.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: expire

In this context, 'expire' refers to the medical supplies reaching a date when they are no longer effective or valid.

true false C1

If a passport is about to expire, it means it is no longer valid for international travel.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Richtig

An expiring passport loses its validity for international travel, requiring renewal.

true false C1

The term 'expire' exclusively refers to the edibility of food products.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Falsch

While commonly used for food, 'expire' also applies to documents, offers, and other things that cease to be valid.

true false C1

A shopping offer that is about to expire can still be redeemed indefinitely.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Falsch

An expiring shopping offer has a specific deadline, after which it cannot be redeemed.

writing C2

Imagine a dystopian future where even basic human rights have an expiration date. Describe what life would be like for a person whose right to free speech is about to expire. Focus on their emotional state, their actions in the days leading up to the expiration, and the societal implications of such a system.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

In this chilling future, the approaching expiration of my free speech right casts a long, ominous shadow over every waking moment. The initial shock has long since given way to a simmering cocktail of existential dread and impotent rage. I find myself meticulously crafting final pronouncements, each word weighed with the gravity of a dying testament, yet knowing full well their impact will be fleeting. The once vibrant marketplace of ideas has atrophied into a sterile echo chamber, where dissent is silenced not by force, but by the insidious ticking clock of a pre-determined end. Society, once a vibrant tapestry of diverse voices, now resembles a grim tableau of silenced individuals, each awaiting their turn to be muted. The chilling implication is not just the loss of individual liberty, but the erosion of collective conscience, as the very concept of open discourse becomes an antiquated myth.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing C2

You are a legal scholar analyzing the ethical ramifications of a medical patent that is about to expire, allowing generic versions of a life-saving drug to become available. Discuss the competing interests of pharmaceutical companies, patients, and healthcare systems, and propose a framework for balancing these concerns.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

The impending expiration of a medical patent for a life-saving drug presents a complex ethical quagmire, pitting the relentless pursuit of corporate profit against the fundamental right to accessible healthcare. Pharmaceutical companies, having invested heavily in research and development, understandably seek to maximize returns during the patent's lifespan. However, this often translates into exorbitant prices that render essential medicines unattainable for a significant portion of the global population. Patients, on the other hand, are often trapped in a precarious position, their very survival contingent upon the availability and affordability of these drugs. Healthcare systems, caught in the crossfire, grapple with the escalating costs and the moral imperative to provide equitable care. A viable framework for balancing these competing interests must prioritize public health without stifling innovation. This could involve tiered pricing models based on national income, government-funded research initiatives to de-risk drug development, and robust international agreements that facilitate timely access to generics upon patent expiration. The core principle must be that access to life-saving medication is a human right, not a privilege determined by wealth.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing C2

Write a short story (approximately 250-300 words) about a relationship that is slowly but irrevocably coming to an end, much like a product reaching its expiration date. Explore the subtle signs of decay, the attempts to prolong its life, and the inevitable acceptance of its demise. Use metaphors related to 'expiration' throughout your narrative.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

Our love, once a vibrant bloom, was slowly reaching its expiration date. The initial effervescence had long faded, replaced by a subtle, almost imperceptible dullness, like a photograph left too long in the sun. The first signs were small: forgotten anniversaries, conversations that felt forced, laughter that no longer reached the eyes. We tried to refrigerate it, to preserve the fading tenderness with forced date nights and nostalgic reminiscences, but the internal clock was relentless. Each argument chipped away another layer of veneer, revealing the underlying staleness. The once comforting familiarity now felt like a worn-out garment, still technically functional but devoid of comfort or style. There were moments of desperate resuscitation, a fervent kiss or a whispered 'I love you' that felt more like an attempt to defy the inevitable than genuine affection. Eventually, the bitter aroma of resignation permeated everything. There was no dramatic rupture, no explosive fight. Just a quiet, mutual understanding that the best-before date had passed, and holding on any longer would only invite further decay. The acceptance, when it finally arrived, was a strange blend of sorrow and liberation, like discarding a beloved item that had simply outlived its purpose.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
reading C2

According to the passage, what ultimately determines the 'expiration date' of a star?

Read this passage:

In the annals of cosmic history, even stars, those colossal furnaces of creation, are not immune to the inexorable march of time. Their stellar lifecycles, spanning billions of years, are ultimately defined by the exhaustion of their nuclear fuel, signaling their eventual demise. The intricate dance of gravitational collapse and thermonuclear fusion sustains their brilliance for eons, but once the hydrogen supply dwindles, the core contracts, temperatures rise, and the star begins its agonizing transformation. For smaller stars, this might culminate in a quiescent white dwarf, a cosmic ember slowly fading into oblivion. More massive stars, however, face a far more spectacular, albeit tragic, end: a supernova explosion, a final, brilliant defiance against the inevitable, scattering their enriched elements across the cosmos, seeding new generations of stars and planets. Thus, even the seemingly eternal celestial bodies are bound by a celestial expiration date, a fundamental principle of universal thermodynamics.

According to the passage, what ultimately determines the 'expiration date' of a star?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: The depletion of its nuclear fuel.

The passage explicitly states that stellar lifecycles 'are ultimately defined by the exhaustion of their nuclear fuel, signaling their eventual demise.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: The depletion of its nuclear fuel.

The passage explicitly states that stellar lifecycles 'are ultimately defined by the exhaustion of their nuclear fuel, signaling their eventual demise.'

reading C2

What is a primary consequence of intellectual property rights expiring, as discussed in the passage?

Read this passage:

The concept of 'intellectual property' is a cornerstone of modern innovation, granting creators exclusive rights to their inventions and artistic works for a limited period. This temporal exclusivity is crucial for incentivizing creativity and investment in research and development. However, once these patents and copyrights expire, the works enter the public domain, becoming freely available for use and adaptation. This transition often sparks fervent debate, particularly in industries like pharmaceuticals and technology. Advocates for extended intellectual property protection argue that it fosters continued innovation and safeguards economic interests, while proponents of a shorter duration emphasize the societal benefits of widespread access, accelerated progress, and reduced monopolistic control. The delicate balance between these competing philosophies shapes the landscape of global knowledge dissemination and technological advancement.

What is a primary consequence of intellectual property rights expiring, as discussed in the passage?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: The works become freely available for use and adaptation.

The passage states, 'However, once these patents and copyrights expire, the works enter the public domain, becoming freely available for use and adaptation.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: The works become freely available for use and adaptation.

The passage states, 'However, once these patents and copyrights expire, the works enter the public domain, becoming freely available for use and adaptation.'

reading C2

How does the passage characterize ecological 'expiration'?

Read this passage:

In the intricate ballet of ecological succession, ecosystems themselves possess a dynamic, albeit often protracted, 'expiration' cycle. A forest, for instance, might appear immutable, yet over millennia, even ancient woodlands undergo transformations driven by climate shifts, geological processes, and the life cycles of its constituent species. A dramatic volcanic eruption or a devastating wildfire can reset the clock, initiating a new successional pathway. More subtly, the slow erosion of soil, the changing patterns of rainfall, or the gradual encroachment of invasive species can lead to the decline of dominant flora and fauna, paving the way for new communities to establish themselves. This ecological 'expiration' isn't necessarily a destructive force, but rather a continuous process of renewal and adaptation, ensuring the long-term resilience and biodiversity of the planet, albeit in ever-evolving forms.

How does the passage characterize ecological 'expiration'?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: As a continuous process of renewal and adaptation.

The passage concludes by stating, 'This ecological 'expiration' isn't necessarily a destructive force, but rather a continuous process of renewal and adaptation...'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: As a continuous process of renewal and adaptation.

The passage concludes by stating, 'This ecological 'expiration' isn't necessarily a destructive force, but rather a continuous process of renewal and adaptation...'

/ 36 correct

Perfect score!

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