irretrievably broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irretrievably broken" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts, particularly in divorce proceedings, to describe a relationship that cannot be repaired. Example: "After years of conflict and misunderstanding, the marriage was deemed irretrievably broken by the court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our family was irretrievably broken.

The New York Times - Magazine

Making divorce harder cannot rescue irretrievably broken marriages.

The New York Times

The emerging theme is that democratic politics is irretrievably broken.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her divorce filing stated that the "marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken".

The New York Times

Divorces are granted if the marriage has irretrievably broken down or due to irreconcilable differences.

Independent

Social Security isn't criminal, and it's probably not even irretrievably broken.

The Economist

The relationship between the first and second law officers of Australia was "irretrievably broken", he said.

The Guardian

Ms. Stultz filed for divorce, calling her marriage "irretrievably broken," and the marriage was dissolved.

The New York Times

In the court filing, Mr. Mateen said the marriage was "irretrievably broken".

The New York Times

(Your hair could fall out from a sexually transmitted disease; your heart could be irretrievably broken).

The New York Times - Books

On adultery: "It became clear that the marriage had irretrievably broken down".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "irretrievably broken" in legal contexts like divorce, ensure it aligns with the legal definition and requirements for proving the breakdown of a relationship. In divorce law, the inclusion of the term "irretrievably broken" needs to be supported by facts.

Common error

While "irretrievably broken" is a vivid phrase, avoid overusing it in informal contexts where simpler terms like "beyond repair" or "permanently damaged" might be more appropriate. The term carries a weight that may be excessive for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "irretrievably broken" functions primarily as an adjective phrase used to describe a state of being damaged or ruined to the point of no return. It often qualifies nouns like "marriage", "system", or "relationship", indicating a permanent state of disrepair. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "irretrievably broken" is a common adjective phrase used to describe something that is damaged beyond repair, often in contexts like relationships, systems, or objects. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of the context, opting for simpler alternatives like "beyond repair" in informal settings. When used in legal contexts such as divorce, ensure the term aligns with the legal definitions and requirements. The term conveys a sense of finality and impossibility of restoration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond repair

Focuses on the impossibility of fixing or restoring something.

permanently damaged

Highlights the lasting nature of the damage.

irreparably damaged

Emphasizes the inability to repair the damage.

irreversibly damaged

Focuses on the impossibility of reversing the damage.

destroyed beyond recovery

Highlights the complete destruction and lack of chance for restoration.

fatally flawed

Implies an inherent defect that leads to inevitable failure.

damaged beyond hope

Emphasizes the lack of any remaining hope for recovery.

ruined beyond redemption

Highlights the destruction and impossibility of saving something.

past the point of no return

Indicates that the situation has reached a stage where it cannot be reversed.

shattered beyond repair

Emphasizes the complete and irreparable breaking of something, often emotional.

FAQs

What does "irretrievably broken" mean in legal terms?

In legal contexts, particularly divorce proceedings, "irretrievably broken" signifies that a marriage has deteriorated to the point where reconciliation is impossible and the relationship cannot be salvaged.

What are some alternatives to saying "irretrievably broken"?

You can use alternatives like "permanently damaged", "beyond repair", or "irreparably damaged" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Can "irretrievably broken" be used for things other than relationships?

Yes, while commonly used in the context of relationships and marriages, "irretrievably broken" can also describe systems, objects, or agreements that have deteriorated to a point where they cannot be fixed or restored.

Which is more appropriate, "irretrievably broken" or "irreversibly broken"?

While both phrases convey a sense of finality, "irretrievably broken" often applies to relationships or abstract concepts, while "irreversibly broken" is used more frequently to describe physical objects or processes that cannot be undone.