a unredeemable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unredeemable" is not correct in standard written English. It should be "an unredeemable" because "unredeemable" begins with a vowel sound. You can use it to describe something that cannot be saved or redeemed, such as a situation or a person. For example: "He found himself in an unredeemable situation." Alternative expressions include "irreparable" and "incorrigible."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I don't believe there's such a thing as an "unredeemable" kid, not at that age certainly, and I knew Julian had another side to him that was worth exploring.

The Guardian

And I find Chen fascinating for her ability to live with the contradiction of being a newsperson and hosting an unredeemable reality show.

The New Yorker

(Oxford University, $32.50). A portrayal of the dramatist, an unredeemable rebel.

The New York Times - Arts

A portrayal of the dramatist, an unredeemable rebel.

The New York Times

Although caution is still very much in order, diplomats and political analysts here say North Korea may be signaling a historic shift in its strategy by deciding that South Korea's greatest value is as an awkward partner rather than an unredeemable foil.

The New York Times

Above all, though, the Zapruder film is a home movie, its images suffused with nostalgia for an unredeemable past.

The New York Times - Books

At various moments, the choux looks like an unredeemable mess, but with continued stirring, it comes together into a glossy, golden paste.

The New York Times

When Miller, 48, took over at the council four years ago, it was seen as an unredeemable failure.

The Guardian

They have fought to reclaim normality after the isolation of death row, the fear of execution, the confusion, disbelief and rage of having once -- and falsely -- been labeled an unredeemable murderer.

The New York Times - Magazine

At 10 p.m., BOB BALABAN's 20-minute animated comedy, "HOPELESS PICTURES," about an unredeemable Hollywood producer, has its premiere, followed at 10 20 by the return of "GREG THE BUNNY," which flopped on Fox; this week's 10-minute episode, "Bunnie Hall" stars Greg, a smart-aleck puppet, as the Woody Allen character.

The New York Times

Jeff is a chronic, unredeemable alcoholic, Eric a dwarf who uses a wheelchair.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the article "an" before "unredeemable" because the word begins with a vowel sound (/ʌ/). The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the sound that follows, not just the letter.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use "a" because the word starts with the letter 'u', comparing it to words like "a university" or "a union". However, those words start with a consonant 'y' sound (/juː/), whereas "unredeemable" starts with a true vowel sound.

How to use

Learn how to use "a unredeemable" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unredeemable" is intended to function as an adjective phrase consisting of an indefinite article and an adjective. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it violates the phonological rule of English articles. In all high-quality examples found in Ludwig, the article is correctly adjusted to "an" to facilitate the transition to the vowel sound /ʌ/.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The search for "a unredeemable" yields no exact matches in high-quality prose because it is a grammatical error. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form is always "an unredeemable". English grammar requires the article "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound to prevent a glottal stop. Since the 'u' in "unredeemable" is pronounced as a vowel (/ʌ/), using "a" is incorrect. All authoritative sources, including The New York Times and The Guardian, consistently apply this rule. When writing, ensure you focus on the sound of the word rather than just the first letter to avoid this common mistake.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unredeemable

Uses the correct indefinite article for a word starting with a vowel sound

an irredeemable

Uses a more common synonym with the correct indefinite article

totally unredeemable

Adds an intensifier while avoiding the article error

beyond redemption

Uses a prepositional phrase to convey the same meaning without an article issue

a hopeless

Replaces the adjective with a synonym starting with a consonant sound

an incorrigible

Specifically used for people or behaviors that cannot be corrected

an irreparable

Focuses on damage or situations that cannot be fixed

a lost cause

An idiomatic expression for something that is unredeemable

an unrecoverable

Often used in technical or financial contexts

an unpromising

A slightly weaker synonym for a situation that lacks potential

FAQs

Is it correct to say "a unredeemable"?

No, the phrase "a unredeemable" is incorrect. You should use "an unredeemable" because the word "unredeemable" starts with a vowel sound.

What is a synonym for "a unredeemable"?

Instead of the incorrect phrase "a unredeemable", you can use "an irredeemable", "a hopeless" situation, or describe something as being "beyond redemption".

Why does Ludwig show zero exact matches for "a unredeemable"?

Ludwig shows zero exact matches because reputable publishers and academic institutions adhere to standard grammar rules, which require "an unredeemable".

When can I use "a" before a word starting with 'u'?

You use "a" when the 'u' creates a consonant "y" sound, such as in "a useful tool" or "a unique experience". Since "unredeemable" starts with an "uh" sound, it requires "an".