render it unusable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "render it unusable" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something has become useless or is not functional. For example: "The water damage to the electronics rendered it unusable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

While its diverse spectrum of biological effects render it unusable as a selective and potent biological probe, these same properties maximize its potential to selectively probe a wide spectrum of bioactive sites upon chemical diversification.

Nature

Boeing officials said that improperly connecting a battery can also render it unusable.

The New York Times

The state requires that landfill-bound harvest leftovers be ground up, mixed with other garbage, bagged and held for days to render it unusable by scavenging smokers.

The Washington Post

As the build-up to the prospect of a nuclear exchange would take more than a few months, it is entirely conceivable that if the US did not approve the prospect of a UK Trident firing it could render it unusable.

Independent

While warrant-bearing police knocked on doors of suspected members of the ring, the members of Ethical Hackers effectively barred access to a discussion area in cyberspace where child pornographers were known to congregate, flooding it with meaningless data to render it unusable.

The New York Times

It would be a simple matter for the United States and/or the international community to advance Russia the much smaller amount of money required to blend down the remaining 350 tons (and perhaps another 700 tons not included in this deal) enough to render it unusable for nuclear weaponry.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"This fracture fluid, along with natural gas was present in Mr. Parson's water, rendering it unusable".

The New York Times

On the south coast, Winchelsea and Broomhill were wiped out, the course of the Rother was altered, while Hastings Castle collapsed into the harbour, rendering it unusable to shipping.

The Guardian - Travel

Although the liver and kidneys are relatively hardy and can withstand the five minutes of oxygen starvation before removal, the wait seriously damages the more delicate heart and renders it unusable.

The New York Times - Magazine

(One exception is Hayward's old city hall, a bulky, beautiful Art Deco affair that was built directly atop the fault in the nineteen-thirties and had to be abandoned permanently in the sixties after creep rendered it unusable).

The New Yorker

Mr. Waterhouse said that the obnoxious, dank flavor of a "corked" wine, which usually renders it unusable even in cooking, can be removed by pouring the wine into a bowl with a sheet of plastic wrap.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "render it unusable" when you want to convey that something has been changed or damaged to the point where it cannot be used for its intended purpose. It's more formal than saying "break it" or "ruin it".

Common error

While "render" is a perfectly valid word, avoid using "render it unusable" in very informal settings. Simpler terms like "break" or "damage" might be more appropriate in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "render it unusable" functions as a verb phrase expressing a consequence or result. It describes the action of causing something to become unfit for its intended use. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is considered correct for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "render it unusable" is a grammatically correct expression that signifies causing something to become unfit for its intended purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for written English. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "make it unusable", it provides a more formal tone suitable for news reports, scientific documents, and technical writing. The phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, so you should be cautious using it in informal conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make it unusable

Replaces "render" with the more common verb "make", simplifying the phrase.

disable it

Focuses on the act of preventing functionality, shorter and more direct.

incapacitate it

Emphasizes a state of being unable to function, more formal.

put it out of action

Suggests a temporary removal from service or function.

make it inoperable

Focuses on the inability to operate, often used for machines.

ruin it

Implies significant damage leading to unusability, less formal.

damage it beyond repair

Highlights the extent of the damage and the impossibility of fixing it.

invalidate it

Suggests that the subject is unusable from a legal or formal standpoint.

corrupt it

Implies that the subject has become flawed or damaged internally so as to render it unusable.

derange it

Suggests a disturbance of normal or healthy functioning.

FAQs

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

You can use "render it unusable" to describe a situation where something has been damaged or altered to the point that it can no longer be used. For instance, "The floodwaters "rendered the equipment unusable"".

What's a simpler way to say "render it unusable"?

Alternatives include phrases like "make it unusable", "disable it", or "ruin it", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "render it unusable" formal or informal?

"Render it unusable" leans toward the formal side. In very casual settings, you might prefer alternatives like "break it" or "damage it."

What is the difference between "render it unusable" and "render it useless"?

While similar, "render it unusable" specifically implies that something can no longer perform its intended function, while "render it useless" suggests it has no value or purpose.