it was unusable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was unusable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an object, tool, or resource that cannot be used for its intended purpose. Example: "After the storm, the equipment was damaged and it was unusable for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

'Anyway, I've got all sorts of offers, Dubai, America.' It was unusable.

The Guardian - Sport

He claimed that AT&T had reduced the Internet transfer speeds of his iPhone to the point where it was so slow that it was unusable — in other words, severely limiting his "unlimited" data plan.

The New York Times

A lot of it was unusable because of the smell.

Forbes

Though definitely far better than the first ring (that one smelled so bad it was unusable), there's still a slightly unpleasant scent to the box which then transfers to the ring.

TechCrunch

There was one print of the film, but it was so deteriorated, it was unusable.

Vice

As GPs commenced intervention delivery, they began to contact the research team to: 1) inform that the software was running so slowly it was unusable, and 2) retrieve their user details, despite previously receiving these by email.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The resources needed will be substantial but small compared with the $100bn£62bnbn; €76bn) spent on medical research annually, much of which is wasted because it is unusable or unused.

British Medical Journal

In other words, it is unusable.

The Guardian - Opinion

This may damage the device to the point of it being unusable in the future.

Cornell University

She says: "Come about 5pm, the system is running so slowly that it's unusable.

The Guardian

It's unusable, in fact, for anyone doing professional work that requires any degree of precision.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing why something is unusable, provide specific details about the defect or condition rendering it so. For instance, instead of just saying "the software was unusable", specify "the software was unusable due to frequent crashes and slow loading times."

Common error

Avoid using "unusable" as a vague, catch-all term. Instead, offer specific reasons why something is unusable, or consider if another term like "inoperable" or "defective" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was unusable" functions as a statement describing the condition of something in the past. It indicates that an item or system could not be used for its intended purpose at a specific time. Ludwig provides examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was unusable" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that could not be used for its intended purpose in the past. As Ludwig highlights, it finds application in various contexts like News & Media, Science, and Wiki, while maintaining a neutral tone. Alternatives such as "it was inoperable" or "it was defective" may offer more specific meanings. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying why something was unusable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was inoperable

Focuses on the object's state of being out of order or non-functional.

it was out of order

Emphasizes a temporary state of being non-functional or broken.

it was not functional

Highlights the lack of ability to perform its intended function.

it was defective

Indicates an inherent flaw preventing proper use.

it was broken

States that the item is damaged to the point of not working.

it was unserviceable

Highlights that it cannot be used to serve its purpose

it was irreparable

Focuses on the fact that it's impossible to repair.

it was impractical

Emphasizes the lack of suitability for the intended use.

it was worthless

Highlights the lack of value due to its inability to be used.

it was ineffective

Focuses on the failure to produce the desired effect or result.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it was unusable"?

You can use alternatives like "it was inoperable", "it was defective", or "it was out of order" depending on the context.

How to use "it was unusable" in a sentence?

Use "it was unusable" to describe something that cannot be used for its intended purpose due to damage, malfunction, or other issues. For example, "After the flood, the equipment was damaged, and it was unusable".

What's the difference between "it was unusable" and "it was broken"?

"It was broken" implies damage that renders something non-functional. "It was unusable" is broader, suggesting it cannot be used, even if not technically broken. Something might be "unusable" because "it was obsolete".

Which is correct, "it was unusable" or "it is unusable"?

Both are correct, but they describe different timeframes. "It was unusable" refers to a past state, while "it is unusable" refers to a current state.