irreparable loss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irreparable loss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation in which something has been lost and cannot be replaced. For example, "The community suffered an irreparable loss when its only doctor retired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Injustice and an irreparable loss.

Independent

Annan, speaking with colleagues, lamented the possibly irreparable loss of U.N. relevance.

The New Yorker

"This is an irreparable loss," said Maulana Ali Sher Haideri, the party chairman.

The New York Times

His death is an irreparable loss to all, and the nation deeply mourns his passing away".

Independent

Vitaly's death is an irreparable loss to all his friends in Russia, France, Germany and the United States.

The New York Times

The man who taught me to write was the first person to make me aware of irreparable loss.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

We're all going to suffer irreparable losses".

The New York Times

Ana María Matute, among the most honoured novelists of her generation, typically employed lyric and expressionistic style with fictions set in mountainous areas of Old Castile, as in Los hijos muertos (1958; The Lost Children), which sought to reconcile war-born hatreds by showing irreparable losses on both sides.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With the exception of irreparable losses, which can only be assuaged by resorting to a whole range of consolatory techniques, Cardano maintains that any other ill can always be turned into something useful and therefore no consolation is needed.

SEP

William Stride, writing at about the same time as Hardy, said that the "beautiful" Jacobean interior of the chapel had been "destroyed", and Oxford had "narrowly escaped other irreparable losses".

Wikipedia

After elongating a single day in 121 pages, a section called "Time Passes" offered ten years in twenty pages -- encompassing the First World War, countless deaths, specific deaths, irreparable losses.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "irreparable loss" to convey a sense of finality and profound impact, especially when describing situations where restoration is impossible. Ensure the context supports the gravity of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "irreparable loss" to describe minor inconveniences or easily recoverable situations. This diminishes the phrase's impact and can sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "irreparable loss" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes a state of irreversible deprivation. Examples from Ludwig highlight its use in contexts ranging from personal grief to institutional or cultural decay.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "irreparable loss" effectively communicates a sense of finality and deep impact, signifying that something has been lost permanently and cannot be recovered. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used in formal and professional settings. Its frequency is categorized as "Common", appearing frequently in news and media. While the phrase is suitable for conveying significant and unrecoverable setbacks, it's crucial to avoid using it in trivial situations, as this can diminish its gravity and impact. Related phrases like "irretrievable loss" or "irreversible damage" can be used for a nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irretrievable loss

Emphasizes the impossibility of retrieving what was lost.

irreversible damage

Focuses on the damage aspect, highlighting that it cannot be reversed.

irremediable harm

Highlights the impossibility of finding a remedy for the damage.

permanent detriment

Stresses the lasting and negative impact of the loss.

incalculable damage

Emphasizes the enormity and immeasurability of the damage.

unrecoverable setback

Highlights the idea of a setback that cannot be overcome.

irredeemable forfeiture

Focuses on the aspect of something being forfeited and impossible to get back.

lasting impairment

Emphasizes the long-term and detrimental effects of the loss.

terminal decline

Emphasizes the progressive and ultimately irreversible nature of the loss.

catastrophic failure

Highlights the disastrous and irreparable nature of the failure.

FAQs

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

"Irreparable loss" is used to describe situations where something is lost permanently and cannot be recovered. For example, "The destruction of the ancient library was an "irreparable loss" to the scholarly community."

What are some alternatives to "irreparable loss"?

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

Is it appropriate to use "irreparable loss" in a business context?

Yes, it can be appropriate if a company suffers a significant and unrecoverable setback, such as the "permanent closure" of a major facility or the "catastrophic failure" of a key project.

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

"Irreparable loss" implies that the loss is permanent and cannot be fixed or recovered, whereas a "reversible loss" suggests that the situation can be improved or restored.