What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
expire
Example
My gym membership will expire next month. [expire: verb]
Example
The warranty on my phone has expired. [expired: past participle]
lapse
Example
I missed the deadline for submitting my application, and it lapsed. [lapsed: past tense]
Example
My gym routine has lapsed since I started working from home. [lapsed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Expire is more commonly used than lapse in everyday language. Expire is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while lapse is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between expire and lapse?
Both expire and lapse can be used in formal and informal contexts, but expire is more commonly used in legal or contractual settings, while lapse is more commonly used in personal or informal settings.
