Be irretrievable

USAGE SUMMARY

"Be irretrievable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where something is lost or cannot be recovered. Example: "Once the data is deleted, it will be irretrievable." Alternative expressions include "be lost forever" and "be beyond recovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But the damage may not be irretrievable.

The Guardian

What's changed is that the world moves far faster now, and squandered moments, even Japan's lost decade, may be irretrievable.

The New York Times

One crumpled signal dish was judged to be irretrievable; we detached it and let it spin off, down toward the minefield.

The New Yorker

The listless nature of Rangers' display at Hampden Park was even more damning than the result, with Caixinha now in a position from which it appears confidence in his ability may be irretrievable.

The Guardian - Sport

For some, like Kearra Keys, 16, who was expelled from her Baton Rouge school for fighting and is now on a waiting list for a G.E.D. program, what was lost may be irretrievable.

The New York Times

*The judgment will require Microsoft to disclose large amounts of proprietary information about its operating systems and other products to competitors, the ultimate penalty for a company whose business is based entirely on intellectual property.... Once that intellectual property is disclosed, the loss will be irretrievable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The rest was irretrievable.

The Guardian - Arts

Bygone Berlin was irretrievable.

The New York Times - Arts

The past, ultimately, is irretrievable.

The New York Times - Books

After 30 fe Qe2! 31 Bf2 Qf2 32 Kh1 Qg3, the white position was irretrievable.

The New York Times - Arts

The internal conflicts go to Snape, while Bellatrix is irretrievable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be irretrievable", ensure the context clearly defines what is lost and why it cannot be recovered. For example, "Once the file is deleted, it will "be irretrievable" from the system" provides clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "be irretrievable" in situations where the loss is minor or easily remedied. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for truly significant and irreversible losses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be irretrievable" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a state of being impossible to recover. It commonly modifies nouns denoting loss, damage, or data. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

26%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be irretrievable" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that is permanently lost or impossible to recover. As Ludwig AI confirms, it frequently appears in news, science, and wiki contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure your writing defines what is lost and why it cannot be recovered, and to avoid overuse in melodramatic instances. Remember, while acceptable, it's important to use it in appropriate contexts for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unrecoverable

A direct synonym, focusing on the inability to recover something.

be irretrievably lost

Adds emphasis to the state of being lost, reinforcing the impossibility of retrieval.

be beyond recovery

Emphasizes the state of being unrecoverable, focusing on the process of regaining something.

be permanently lost

Similar to "be lost forever" but may apply to data or other non-tangible things

be lost forever

Highlights the permanent nature of the loss, emphasizing that something is gone with no chance of return.

be irreparable

Focuses on the inability to repair damage, highlighting the permanent nature of the harm.

be irredeemable

Implies that something cannot be saved or improved, often used in a moral or qualitative sense.

be unredeemable

Similar to "be irredeemable" but implies a sense of moral or spiritual loss

be beyond salvage

Implies that a situation or object cannot be rescued or saved from a negative outcome.

be beyond restoration

Highlights the inability to bring something back to its original condition.

FAQs

How can I use "be irretrievable" in a sentence?

You can use "be irretrievable" to describe something that is permanently lost or impossible to recover. For instance, "The data, once corrupted, will "be irretrievable"" or "The damage to his reputation may "be irretrievable"".

What's the difference between "be irretrievable" and "be irreversible"?

"Be irretrievable" refers specifically to something that cannot be retrieved or recovered, whereas "be irreversible" indicates something that cannot be changed back to its original state. The former focuses on the act of retrieval, the latter on the state of being changed.

Are there formal alternatives to "be irretrievable"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "be beyond recovery", "be unrecoverable", or "be permanently lost". These options maintain a serious and professional tone suitable for formal writing.

What can I say instead of "be irretrievable" in a less formal context?

In a less formal setting, you could use phrases like "be lost forever" or "be gone for good". These alternatives convey the same meaning but in a more relaxed manner.