become unreachable

USAGE SUMMARY

"become unreachable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone gets to a point where they are out of touch and cannot be contacted. For example, "After months of no contact, her family began to worry that she had become unreachable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"I would send this book to people," she said, "and they would become unreachable.

The New York Times - Books

Friends of Kim have said the family has become unreachable and may have gone into hiding.

The Guardian

In the global routing table, all 84 of Syria's IP address blocks have become unreachable, effectively removing the country from the Internet.

The New York Times

But we know that eventually the rising standards will become unreachable, no matter how many music or gym classes our students miss.

The New York Times

In the past, blacklisted sites have retaliated against Spamhaus with denial-of-service attacks, in which they flood Spamhaus with traffic requests from personal computers until its servers become unreachable.

The New York Times - Tech

Only London 2012 did better with 2.8m seats filled (a target that has become unreachable for Rio because there is simply not enough seating capacity at this year's scaled-down Games).

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Then, when the associate became unreachable, Emil left messages with a secretary.

The New Yorker

Dawfeek Salim lost land to the construction, but, much worse, his remaining six hectares became unreachable.

The Guardian

What is on the other side of the lie becomes unreachable.

The Guardian - Books

But I saw these people who were neighbors and so on, and a lot changed, and they became unreachable, for a lot of reasons that would take a while to elaborate a lot of it had to do with Vietnam.

The New Yorker

But I saw these people who were neighbors and so on, and a lot changed, and they became unreachable, for a lot of reasons that would take a while to elaborate — a lot of it had to do with Vietnam.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become unreachable" to describe situations where a previously accessible entity is no longer accessible. Avoid using it for entities that were never accessible in the first place.

Common error

Avoid using "become unreachable" when a temporary communication issue is the cause. This phrase suggests a more permanent or significant loss of contact. Consider alternatives like "temporarily unavailable" or "experiencing technical difficulties" for short-term issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become unreachable" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a change of state. It describes the process of something or someone transitioning into a state where they can no longer be contacted or accessed. The Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing physical locations, people, and even abstract concepts like goals or records that are no longer attainable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become unreachable" is a versatile verbal phrase used to describe a transition into a state of inaccessibility, whether physical, communicative, or conceptual. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. While common in news, scientific, and business settings, it maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the reason for the loss of contact and whether the unreachability is temporary or permanent. Remember that alternatives like "become inaccessible" or "become unavailable" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become inaccessible

Emphasizes the inability to access or reach something or someone.

become unobtainable

Focuses on the impossibility of obtaining or acquiring something.

become isolated

Highlights the state of being separated from others.

become cut off

Suggests a sudden or forceful separation.

become lost

Implies a disappearance or inability to be found.

become isolated

Highlights the state of being separated from others or something.

become out of reach

Focuses on being beyond someone's grasp or capability.

become unavailable

Indicates that someone or something is not accessible or present.

cease to be accessible

A more formal way to express becoming unreachable.

go off the grid

Informal, suggesting a deliberate disappearance from conventional contact methods.

FAQs

How can I use "become unreachable" in a sentence?

You can use "become unreachable" to describe when someone or something that was previously accessible is no longer so. For example, "After the storm, many remote villages became unreachable due to the blocked roads."

What can I say instead of "become unreachable"?

You can use alternatives like "become inaccessible", "become unavailable", or "become isolated" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "became unreachable" or "become unreachable"?

Both "became unreachable" and "become unreachable" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Became unreachable" is used for past events, while "become unreachable" is used in general statements or future scenarios. For example, "The area became unreachable after the landslide" versus "Areas prone to landslides can become unreachable during the rainy season."

What's the difference between "become inaccessible" and "become unreachable"?

While both phrases imply a lack of access, "become inaccessible" often refers to physical or literal access, whereas "become unreachable" can also imply a loss of communication or connection. For example, a building can "become inaccessible" due to construction, while a person can "become unreachable" if they stop responding to messages.