incorrigible

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "incorrigible" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective, and it means not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed. For example, "The student was incorrigible despite the teacher's best efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His eyes twinkle naughtily; although he recently turned 48, he has the incorrigible look of an errant schoolboy.

The Guardian - Film

Prejudices regarding Somalis, Islam and "backward African tribal customs" (a phrase that regularly pops up) are conflated to create an image of a dark, brutal, incorrigible mass who, to use Kipling's phrase, are "half devil, half child" and therefore cannot be trusted to even raise their own children decently.

The Guardian - Opinion

He may be victim of an incorrigible cronyism, and his overdue attempt to reform Britain's welfare state has left many rough edges, some of them inexcusable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Parliament needs a few incorrigible bruisers like the tough, improbably piano-playing, shadow chancellor.

The Economist

One is that Russia's rulers will as anyone in their position would—use the occasion to remind the world of their foes' incorrigible wickedness.

The Economist

The two sides talked and talked and got nowhere.For many of his admirers around the world, the truest test of Mr Obama will not be whether he can make a breakthrough in the incorrigible Middle East, but whether a president who acknowledges the overwhelming danger of global warming can galvanise multilateral action on climate change.

The Economist

So incorrigible was Craig that he was forgiven for his dalliance with fascism (in 1941 he was released from a prison camp in Besançon in France by an admirer from Hitler's headquarters staff).

The Economist

He is certainly an incorrigible optimist: even amid the frightening escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the wake of the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier, Mr Margalit still argues that a peaceful settlement is just a few years away.

The Economist

The council's friends on the secular political left were deeply embarrassed by the MCB's line and bluntly told its leaders that unless they changed course and showed proper respect for the anniversary, they would be seen as incorrigible anti-Semites.

The Economist

IF MICHAEL MOORE bumped into an average German on the street, the encounter might be rather strained: the film-maker's grungy appearance could well be taken as one more piece of evidence of America's incorrigible ugliness.But looks aren't everything: like most Europeans, the Germans love the way Mr Moore is exposing the defects, real and imagined, of his own country.

The Economist

But the main justification is not the awfulness of the offence but the supposedly incorrigible character of the offender.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incorrigible" to describe behaviors or situations that seem impossible to correct or reform, adding a sense of finality or deep-seated nature to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "incorrigible" for minor or easily remedied issues. It implies a fundamental and unchangeable aspect, so reserve it for situations where correction seems genuinely impossible.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "incorrigible" functions primarily to describe something or someone as being beyond correction or reform. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where it modifies nouns to denote an unchangeable quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incorrigible" is an adjective used to describe something or someone that is beyond correction or reform. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples showcasing its use across various contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for formal and informal settings. When using "incorrigible", ensure it accurately reflects the impossibility of correction to avoid overstatement, and consider alternatives like "irredeemable" or "unreformable" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irredeemable

Focuses on the impossibility of saving or rescuing someone or something.

unreformable

Highlights the inability to change someone's behavior for the better.

hopeless

Emphasizes the lack of hope for improvement or change.

beyond redemption

Stresses that the subject is past the point of being saved or corrected.

inveterate

Implies a deeply ingrained and persistent habit or behavior that is difficult to change.

uncontrollable

Focuses on the inability to manage or restrain someone's behavior.

intractable

Suggests a stubborn and resistant nature that is difficult to deal with.

willful

Indicates a deliberate and stubborn refusal to change or obey.

obdurate

Highlights a stubborn refusal to change one's opinion or course of action.

hardened

Emphasizes a state of being toughened and resistant to change or influence.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "incorrigible" in a sentence?

Use "incorrigible" to describe something or someone resistant to correction or change. For example, "Despite numerous attempts, his behavior remained "incorrigible"."

What are some alternatives to using "incorrigible"?

Alternatives include "irredeemable", "unreformable", or "hopeless" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "incorrigible" in formal writing?

Yes, "incorrigible" is suitable for formal writing when accurately describing something that cannot be corrected or reformed. The tone can be strong, so ensure it fits the overall message.

What's the difference between "incorrigible" and "unrepentant"?

"Incorrigible" describes the inability to be corrected, while "unrepentant" describes a lack of remorse or regret. Someone can be "unrepentant" without being "incorrigible", and vice versa.