made inoperable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made inoperable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been rendered non-functional or unable to operate. Example: "The machinery was made inoperable due to a severe malfunction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"You'll be pleased to know the front has been made inoperable, filled with cement," Mr. Fisher assured the judge.

The New York Times

When Mr. Moore surrendered shortly before 11 a.m., several police officials said, a 9-millimeter pistol, which he had made inoperable, was recovered, and Mr. Moore had tried to flush the bullets down the toilet.

The New York Times

The missile, one of dozens that the government says Mr. Lakhani was to provide, had in fact been made inoperable by the agents' Russian counterparts in a sting operation, however, and no terrorists were ever actually involved in the plot.

The New York Times

A shoulder-fired SA-18 missile and launcher, which had been made inoperable as part of a sting operation, were seized today by American investigators, acting with extensive help from Russian and British authorities, officials said.

The New York Times

Any sense of real break with the past was mitigated by continued adherence to purity laws (dietary and bodily) and by assiduous study of Scripture, including the legal elements that historical developments had now made inoperable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In addition to 82 World War II-era vehicles — still in their museum displays and many fitted with guns that had been made inoperable — the auction also included 100 lots of uniforms, mess kits, tools and other items.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Multiple clinical trials have shown that neoadjuvant systemic therapy has a benefit in women who are borderline lumpectomy candidates and in those with locally advanced breast cancers by reducing the mastectomy rate and making inoperable tumors operable.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

The aims are to reduce tumour burden thereby making inoperable tumours operable and to offer breast-conserving surgery to those patients where a sufficient reduction in tumour size has been achieved.

Cancer Imaging

There has been speculation that New Democracy's MPs might resign en bloc to make parliament inoperable.

The Guardian - Opinion

And remember, according to them I was making Washington inoperable 'immediately after September 11'.

The Guardian

Volunteers spotted traps set for cats at the site, and used rocks to make them inoperable, she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the state of equipment or systems, ensure the context clearly indicates whether the action was intentional or accidental. For instance, specify if a device was "made inoperable" due to a malfunction versus deliberate sabotage.

Common error

Be precise about how something was "made inoperable". Simply stating something is "made inoperable" might leave readers wondering if it's a temporary state or permanent damage. Clarify the cause or extent of the damage to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made inoperable" functions as a participial adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, describing a state of being non-functional or unable to operate. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made inoperable" is a participial adjective phrase signifying that something has been rendered non-functional. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While grammatically sound, it's most effective when the method or cause of inoperability is clarified. It appears across diverse registers, from news reporting to scientific journals, indicating a broad but not exceedingly frequent usage. Related terms like "rendered non-functional" or "disabled" can provide stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rendered non-functional

Replaces "made" with "rendered" for a more formal tone.

rendered unusable

Focuses on the result of being unable to be used.

disabled

A more concise term for something being made unable to function.

incapacitated

Suggests something has been made unable to perform its intended function.

deactivated

Implies a deliberate action to make something non-operational.

impaired

Highlights a reduction or removal of functionality.

put out of action

A more descriptive way of saying something has been made unusable, especially in a mechanical context.

set out of commission

Similar to "put out of action", suggesting a temporary or permanent removal from service.

brought to a standstill

Describes a situation where something's operation has been stopped.

taken offline

Specifically for systems or devices that operate online.

FAQs

How can I use "made inoperable" in a sentence?

You can use "made inoperable" to describe something that has been rendered non-functional. For example, "The heavy rain "made the roads inoperable"."

What's the difference between "made inoperable" and "disabled"?

"Made inoperable" generally implies a more permanent or significant level of damage or alteration, while "disabled" might suggest a temporary or easily reversible state. Consider the context to choose the most appropriate term.

What can I say instead of "made inoperable"?

You can use alternatives like "rendered non-functional", "disabled", or "deactivated" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was made inoperable"?

Yes, "was made inoperable" is grammatically correct and used to indicate that something was rendered non-functional at some point in the past.