make it unusable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it unusable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action that renders an object, tool, or resource ineffective or incapable of being used. Example: "If you don't follow the safety protocols, you might accidentally make it unusable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Okay, now that I've slammed Buzz for what I see as fundamental flaws that make it unusable for most of the time in its current state.

TechCrunch

"But you want to make it unusable".

The New Yorker

At some point, you break the product and make it unusable," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

In fact, because water is conductive, just like a finger, the screen may read a water drop as a finger press, submersing the screen completely may make it unusable.

The New York Times

(In Alabama, two teenagers were charged with making terrorist threats after announcing plans for two separate school shootings via YikYak; the company has now "geo-fenced" the locations of 180,000 US schools, in an effort to make it unusable).

The Guardian - Tech

In some rare cases, beta software can also brick your device and make it unusable.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

An electronic hum in the song had made it unusable.

The New York Times

It has more pixels than the iPhone, but the shutter lag made it unusable.

The Guardian - Tech

But the melting and remelting of recycled material eventually breaks down additives in it and otherwise makes it unusable.

The New York Times - Science

A big concern is that the fire could dump huge amounts of ash into the Santa Clara creek, in the bottom of the canyon, choking it off and making it unusable for irrigation or recreation.

The New York Times

Officers involved in the tests said at one point they had found 12 critical errors that made it unusable, and a total of 76 defects that required further work.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make it unusable", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

While "make it unusable" is acceptable, consider more precise or formal alternatives like "render it inoperable" or "disable it" in professional or academic contexts for enhanced clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it unusable" functions as a verb phrase. It describes an action that results in something becoming unfit for its intended purpose. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make it unusable" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe rendering something ineffective. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While generally appropriate, more formal alternatives like "render it inoperable" or "disable it" might be considered for academic or professional writing. When using "make it unusable", it's important to ensure clarity by explicitly referencing what "it" refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

render it inoperable

Replaces "make" with "render" and "unusable" with "inoperable", focusing on the inability to function.

make it non-functional

Replaces "unusable" with "non-functional", maintaining a similar level of formality.

disable it

Uses a single verb to convey the action of making something unable to be used, simplifying the phrase.

incapacitate it

Emphasizes the loss of capacity or ability to function, changing the tone and focus.

put it out of action

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe removing something from service or use.

cause it to malfunction

Focuses on causing a failure in function, shifting the emphasis to the cause of the unusability.

corrupt it

Suggests damage or alteration that makes something unusable, particularly in the context of data or software.

sabotage it

Implies intentional damage or interference to render something unusable, adding a specific connotation.

invalidate it

Focuses on making something void or without effect, which can lead to unusability in certain contexts.

wreck it

Informal term indicating severe damage, rendering something unusable.

FAQs

How can I use "make it unusable" in a sentence?

You can use "make it unusable" to describe actions that render an object or resource ineffective. For example, "Overheating the device will "make it unusable"".

What are some alternatives to "make it unusable"?

Alternatives include "render it inoperable", "disable it", or "incapacitate it" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "make it unfunctional" instead of "make it unusable"?

"Make it unfunctional" is less common and less idiomatic than ""make it unusable"". While understandable, ""make it unusable"" is generally preferred.

What's the difference between "make it unusable" and "damage it"?

"Damage it" implies physical harm, while ""make it unusable"" indicates that, whether damaged or not, it can no longer be used for its intended purpose. Something can be unusable without being physically damaged.