Writing letters seems to be a thing of the past.

写信好像已是昔日的事情了。

《牛津词典》

When people have these cars in the future, a petrol station may be a thing of the past.

如果人们在未来能够拥有这些汽车，加油站可能会成为历史。

youdao

One day drought may be a thing of the past at least in coastal cities.

至少在沿海城市，总有一天干旱会成为过去。

youdao

If a drafted man could not do either thing, then he must join the army or be shot as a deserter.

VOA: special.2009.10.29

Even though we have a noun, the smile, that if you're not careful might lull you into thinking there must be a thing, the smile.

即使我们有笑容这个名词,如果你不够谨慎,可能会想当然地认为,一定存在着笑容这一事物

耶鲁公开课 - 死亡课程节选

Well, if this thing is going to vibrate for any length of time it better be a standing wave.

好的，如果它在任意时间振动,那它就是驻波。

麻省理工公开课 - 固态化学导论课程节选

And like the unfolding of the seasons, it will be a thing of beauty.

FORBES: 3 Simple Steps To Get Where You Want to Go

However, the era of irrelevant display ads should be a thing of the past.

FORBES: The Case For Web Display Ads

It looks as if Current TV will soon be a thing of the past.

FORBES: Current TV Sold To Al Jazeera; $500 Million Deal For Al Gore and Co. [UPDATED]