cannot be recovered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be recovered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is lost, damaged, or inaccessible and cannot be restored or retrieved. Example: "Due to a system failure, the lost data cannot be recovered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lawrencium cannot be recovered for that use.

The New York Times

Unlike in Britain, costs cannot be recovered from unsuccessful plaintiffs.

The Guardian

Consumptive use, roughly speaking, refers to water taken from a reservoir that cannot be recovered.

The New York Times - Magazine

The destruction is worse than the theft because they cannot be recovered".

The Guardian

In evidence to MPs which is published today, the Treasury admits £1.9bn cannot be recovered.

The Guardian - Money

If the plane cannot be recovered, as seems likely, it will be destroyed on the ground, Colonel King said.

The New York Times

Sunk cost, in economics and finance, a cost that has already been incurred and that cannot be recovered.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The other is that it was used to cover trading losses, which would mean that the money cannot be recovered.

The New York Times

Once it bolts, it cannot be recovered until next spring, so this will soon be dug up and replaced with tomatoes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Its precise route cannot be traced, its circumstances cannot be recovered … One glimpses him out of dusty bus windows: a ragged man walking alone down a road".

The Guardian

The thrill that cannot be recovered — by Lucas or Abrams or Rian Johnson — is the thrill of discovering the "Star Wars" universe for the first time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be recovered", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lost or damaged and why recovery is impossible. For instance, specify the type of data, resource, or opportunity that is irretrievable.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be recovered" in overly complex sentences where simpler phrasing would improve clarity. Sometimes, directly stating the consequence of the loss is more effective than elaborating on its irrecoverability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be recovered" functions as a passive construction indicating impossibility. As Ludwig highlights, it denotes that something is irretrievable or impossible to restore. Examples from Ludwig show its usage across diverse contexts like lost data, damaged artifacts, and irreversible decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be recovered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the impossibility of retrieval or restoration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and suitable for a wide range of contexts. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its common presence in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. Alternatives such as "is irretrievable" or "is unrecoverable" offer similar meanings, but "cannot be recovered" provides a specific emphasis on the failed attempt to regain something. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what has been lost and why its recovery is impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is irretrievable

Replaces the verb phrase with a single adjective conveying the same meaning of being impossible to retrieve.

is unrecoverable

Uses a single word to replace the phrase, focusing on the inability to recover.

is lost forever

Emphasizes the permanence of the loss, implying it can't be regained.

is beyond retrieval

Highlights the impossibility of getting something back, using a more formal tone.

is unable to be restored

Focuses on the inability to bring something back to its original state.

is permanently lost

Stresses the enduring nature of the loss, making it clear there's no return.

is irreparably damaged

Shifts the focus to damage that cannot be repaired, with the same implication of loss.

cannot be regained

Highlights the inability to get something back, framing it as a failure to regain.

cannot be reclaimed

Emphasizes the impossibility of taking possession of something again.

is irredeemable

Suggests that something is so far gone it can't be saved or improved.

FAQs

What does "cannot be recovered" mean?

The phrase "cannot be recovered" means that something is lost, damaged, or inaccessible and is impossible to retrieve or restore. It implies a permanent state of loss or damage.

When should I use "cannot be recovered" in writing?

Use "cannot be recovered" when you want to emphasize the finality of a loss or the impossibility of restoring something to its original condition. For example, "Due to the fire, the documents "are irretrievable"".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be recovered"?

Alternatives include "is irretrievable", "is unrecoverable", "is lost forever", or "cannot be restored". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "cannot be recovered"?

Yes, "cannot be recovered" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction using the modal verb "cannot" and the past participle "recovered". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.