irrevocable damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'irrevocable damage' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to damage or loss that cannot be undone or made up for. For example: "The fire caused irrevocable damage to the building, and it will never look the same again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

That first savage uppercut that so visibly jolted Blackwell's head may have caused the irrevocable damage.

The Guardian - Sport

"Baby" takes place in an allegorical ether in which innocence collides with experience, and irrevocable damage is done.

The New York Times

To environmental experts, such evidence is the proverbial writing on the wall: we must transition to a low-carbon economy, stat, in order to avoid irrevocable damage.

The Guardian - Opinion

But critics say that the sheer repetition of speculation that Mr. Condit might have been involved in the Levy case creates irrevocable damage.

The New York Times

Different people have different susceptibilities, and too much of it gradually wears on the body until, for some, irrevocable damage is done.

The New York Times

Eventually it will subside, but some worry that irrevocable damage will have been done to Hong Kong's economy by the time life gets back to normal.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

We worry they'll be unable to succeed at face-to-face communication and connection and quite possibly sustain irrevocable neck damage from looking down at their smartphones all day.

Huffington Post

Many of these stories, which feature a striking array of first-person voices, take place just after moments of decision, when choices are irrevocable and the damage people inflict on one another is inevitable.

The New York Times - Books

These questions must be answered before you take steps that are irrevocable and could damage your standing within your organization. .

BBC

Even for a professional party cleaning company, the damage was irrevocable.

Vice

Most of them can do irrevocable and life-altering damage in seconds.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "irrevocable damage", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being damaged and why the damage is irreversible. Specificity enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "irrevocable damage" to describe situations where the damage, though severe, is potentially repairable. "Irrevocable" implies a complete and irreversible loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "irrevocable damage" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "irrevocable" modifies the noun "damage". As shown in the Ludwig examples, it signifies harm or loss that cannot be repaired or reversed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "irrevocable damage" is used to describe harm or loss that is impossible to repair or reverse. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and scientific contexts, to emphasize the severity and finality of a negative impact. Alternative phrases, such as "irreparable harm" or "permanent damage", can be used to convey a similar meaning, though "irrevocable" often carries a stronger sense of finality. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the nature and scope of the damage, and avoid overstating situations where repair is still possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irreparable harm

Replaces "damage" with "harm", both referring to negative effects. "Irreparable" and "irrevocable" are near synonyms.

irreversible damage

Substitutes "irrevocable" with "irreversible", a direct synonym emphasizing the impossibility of reversing the damage.

irreversible harm

Combines "irreversible" with "harm", emphasizing the inability to reverse the negative effects.

irremediable damage

Employs "irremediable", emphasizing that the damage cannot be remedied or cured.

permanent damage

Replaces "irrevocable" with "permanent", focusing on the lasting nature of the damage.

non-repairable damage

Expresses the idea that the damage cannot be repaired.

unsalvageable damage

Highlights that the damage is so severe that it cannot be salvaged or recovered from.

lasting harm

Uses "lasting" instead of "irrevocable" to highlight the enduring nature of the negative impact and "harm" instead of "damage".

beyond repair

Indicates that the damage exceeds the possibility of being repaired.

terminal damage

Implies the damage will inevitably lead to a negative outcome or conclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "irrevocable damage" to describe situations where the harm or loss is permanent and cannot be reversed. For example, "The oil spill caused "irrevocable damage" to the marine ecosystem."

What's a good alternative to "irrevocable damage"?

Alternatives include "irreparable harm", "irreversible damage", or "permanent damage" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "irreversible damage" the same as "irrevocable damage"?

While very similar, "irreversible" focuses on the inability to reverse a process, whereas "irrevocable" emphasizes the impossibility of undoing the consequences. They are often interchangeable but carry slightly different connotations.

Can "irrevocable damage" apply to non-physical things?

Yes, "irrevocable damage" can describe harm to abstract concepts such as reputation, relationships, or trust. For example, "The scandal caused "irrevocable damage" to his reputation."