irreparable damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irreparable damage" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to damage that cannot be corrected or reversed. For example, "The fire caused irreparable damage to the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have done irreparable damage.

The Guardian

But his liver had sustained irreparable damage.

The New York Times - Sports

He did irreparable damage to English culture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It would do irreparable damage to the church.

The Guardian

"The next hurricane could do irreparable damage," he said.

The New York Times - Books

"There might be irreparable damage to the brand".

The New York Times

Such footage has caused irreparable damage to al-Assad's regime.

The Guardian

Higher temperatures, Goussault argues, do irreparable damage to food.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I must stop before irreparable damage is done..

The New York Times - Magazine

If a human gets in the way, a hard robot could cause irreparable damage.

Harvard University

Can it forestall evil acts or prevent irreparable damage inflicted by misguided leaders?

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "irreparable damage", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being damaged and why the damage is irreversible. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "irreparable damage" to describe situations where the harm can be fixed or reversed with time or effort. This weakens the impact of the phrase and can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "irreparable damage" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb. It describes a state of irreversible harm or destruction, as Ludwig examples illustrate, and is commonly used to convey the severity of a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "irreparable damage" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that signifies harm or destruction that cannot be reversed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academia, and science, emphasizing the severity and finality of the damage. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly conveys the irreversible nature of the harm to maximize its impact. Related phrases include "irreversible harm" and "permanent damage", offering alternative ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irremediable harm

Replaces "damage" with "harm", emphasizing the negative impact.

irreversible harm

Uses "irreversible" instead of "irreparable", highlighting the inability to undo the harm.

permanent harm

Focuses on the lasting nature of the harm.

irreparable harm done

Adds "done" to emphasize the action of causing the damage.

irretrievable loss

Shifts the focus to a loss that cannot be recovered.

irreversible consequences

Emphasizes the unavoidable results of an action.

irreparable injury

Replaces "damage" with "injury", suggesting physical or emotional harm.

terminal damage

Implies the damage will lead to the end or failure of something.

devastating consequences

Highlights the overwhelming negative results.

irreversible deterioration

Focuses on the progressive decline that cannot be stopped.

FAQs

How can I use "irreparable damage" in a sentence?

You can use "irreparable damage" to describe situations where something has been harmed to the point of no return. For example, "The oil spill caused "irreparable damage" to the marine ecosystem."

What are some alternatives to saying "irreparable damage"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "irreversible harm", "permanent damage", or "irretrievable loss".

Is it correct to say "irreparable damages"?

While "damage" is typically an uncountable noun, "damages" can refer to a sum of money claimed or awarded in compensation for loss or injury. However, ""irreparable damage"" is generally the preferred phrasing to describe harm that cannot be repaired.

What's the difference between "irreparable damage" and "reversible damage"?

"Irreparable damage" refers to harm that cannot be fixed or undone, whereas "reversible damage" implies that the harm can be repaired or reversed through some means.