Meaning trap
wear out
become unusable
To become damaged or too old to use, usually because of frequent use over time.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To become damaged or too old to use, usually because of frequent use over time.
Another meaning of 'wear out' is 'make someone exhausted'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
My running shoes wore out after a year of daily use.
If you use cheap headphones every day, they tend to wear out quickly and need replacing.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: My shoes are wore out.
Say: My shoes are worn out.
Past participle is 'worn out', not 'wore out'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Wear out' is the everyday verb for something used until it's done; the formal version is stilted.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
wear out + thing
- shoes
- the brakes
- the carpet
- quickly
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- wear out (make someone exhausted) — Another meaning of 'wear out' is 'make someone exhausted'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.