may be irretrievable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be irretrievable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that might be lost or unable to be recovered. Example: "Due to the system failure, some of the data may be irretrievable, and we need to assess the situation further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

What's changed is that the world moves far faster now, and squandered moments, even Japan's lost decade, may be irretrievable.

The New York Times

For some, like Kearra Keys, 16, who was expelled from her Baton Rouge school for fighting and is now on a waiting list for a G.E.D. program, what was lost may be irretrievable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But the damage may not be irretrievable.

The Guardian

One crumpled signal dish was judged to be irretrievable; we detached it and let it spin off, down toward the minefield.

The New Yorker

Some Trump supporters are so far gone as to be irretrievable; don't waste your time on the True Believer.

Huffington Post

Data removed will be irretrievable.

WikiHow

After removing the account, your data will usually be irretrievable.

WikiHow

All of your notes will be permanently deleted and will be irretrievable.

WikiHow

You may be asked to produce the credit card if the reservation is irretrievable or to prove identity.

WikiHow

There is increasing recognition that our best chance of maintaining brain function may be to offer therapies as early as possible, when the minimum of irretrievable neuronal loss has occurred, and when there is potential to prevent or delay the onset of cognitive decline [ 5].

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Their refusal runs the risk that an innocent man may be executed (possibly not the first in Texas); their acquiescence imposes only a slight delay in that irretrievable event.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be irretrievable", ensure the context clearly establishes what is at risk of being lost and why the loss is potentially permanent. Consider adding a qualifier to express the degree of certainty, such as "almost certainly" or "possibly".

Common error

Avoid using "may be irretrievable" when there's a reasonable chance of recovery. Overstating the finality of a situation can undermine credibility. Instead, use more tentative language like "potentially difficult to recover" or "may require significant effort to retrieve".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be irretrievable" functions as a modal adjective phrase, expressing a possibility or uncertainty about something being permanently lost or unrecoverable. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts ranging from data loss to relationship damage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be irretrievable" is used to express the possibility that something is permanently lost or unrecoverable. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and functions as a modal adjective phrase, often appearing in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. While the phrase isn't particularly common, when writing, be cautious not to overstate the certainty of something being lost. Considering semantically similar options like "could be unrecoverable" or "might be lost forever" can provide alternatives depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be unrecoverable

Replaces "may be" with "could be" and "irretrievable" with "unrecoverable", changing the modal verb and adjective.

might be unrecoverable

Substitutes "may" with "might" and "irretrievable" with "unrecoverable", resulting in minor semantic variation.

could be irrecoverable

Interchanges "may" for "could" and "irretrievable" for "irrecoverable", resulting in slight semantic deviation.

may be beyond recovery

Substitutes "irretrievable" with "beyond recovery", shifting the focus to the extent of the loss.

could be beyond retrieval

Replaces "may be" with "could be" and "irretrievable" with "beyond retrieval", emphasizing the impossibility of getting something back.

might be lost forever

Replaces "may be irretrievable" with a more emphatic phrase, indicating permanent loss.

might prove unrecoverable

Replaces "may be" with "might prove" and "irretrievable" with "unrecoverable", adding a sense of future revelation.

might not be salvageable

Replaces "may be irretrievable" with a phrase emphasizing the lack of possibility of saving something.

may turn out unrecoverable

Replaces "be irretrievable" with "turn out unrecoverable", implying a future realization.

could become irrecoverable

Replaces "may be" with "could become" and "irretrievable" with "irrecoverable", indicating a change in state over time.

FAQs

How can I use "may be irretrievable" in a sentence?

Use "may be irretrievable" when describing something that could be lost or permanently unrecoverable. For example: "Due to the severe data corruption, some files "may be irretrievable"."

What are some alternatives to "may be irretrievable"?

Alternatives include "could be unrecoverable", "might be lost forever", or "could be irrecoverable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "may be irretrievable" or "is irretrievable"?

"May be irretrievable" indicates a possibility, while "is irretrievable" states a certainty. Use "may be irretrievable" when the outcome is uncertain, and "is irretrievable" when the loss is confirmed.

What does "irretrievable" mean?

"Irretrievable" means impossible to recover or regain. Something that is "irretrievable" is lost permanently. Using ""may be irretrievable"" suggests this state is possible but not definite.