rendered inoperable

USAGE SUMMARY

"rendered inoperable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been made unable to work. For example, "The machine was rendered inoperable after the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The treatment plant was rendered inoperable.

The New York Times

The back-up systems that were in place have also been rendered inoperable.

The Guardian - Business

That booster, as it turned out, was hit by falling debris on Sept. 11 and rendered inoperable.

The New York Times

They have to certify that the cars have been crushed and rendered inoperable before the government will process reimbursement claims.

The New York Times

Then the "knockout mouse" was invented, in which mice have specified genes rendered inoperable, thus revealing their functions.

The Economist

Later, Mr. Osmakac allegedly put $500 as a down payment on the items, which had been rendered inoperable by law enforcement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Show me where, in consumer law, the vendor has the right to render inoperable the hardware you just bought," said one poster on the Guardian's website.

The Guardian - Business

The experts oversaw the first destruction of components on Sunday, with the goal of rendering inoperable all of Syria's production, mixing and filling equipment by Nov. 1.

The New York Times

Since then, international inspectors have visited 22 of the 23 chemical weapons sites declared by Syria and have confirmed that Damascus met a 1 November deadline to destroy or "render inoperable" all chemical weapon production facilities.

The Guardian

Oh, yes! Datel, which makes all sorts of video game accessories, has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft because it "has taken steps to render inoperable the competing Datel memory card for no visible purpose other than to have that market entirely to themselves".

TechCrunch

Inspectors have been working to render inoperable all equipment needed to mix and fill chemical agents into munitions.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "rendered inoperable" when you want to emphasize that an action or event caused something to stop working, rather than simply stating that it is not functional.

Common error

While "rendered inoperable" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In such settings, simpler alternatives like "broken" or "not working" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rendered inoperable" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an object or system has been made unable to operate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show it describing damaged equipment, disabled systems, and neutralized weapons.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rendered inoperable" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that has been made unable to function, as supported by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and general writing, indicating a relatively broad applicability. While appropriate for describing various scenarios, remember that it can sound overly formal in casual contexts. Consider simpler alternatives like "broken" or "not working" in those cases. When used correctly, "rendered inoperable" effectively communicates that an action has caused something to stop functioning, and it is the correct choice when you want to emphasize causality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of service

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the non-functionality, often implying a repair is expected.

made unusable

Focuses on the result of an action making something not able to be used.

non-functional

A more general and neutral term, lacking the emphasis on the action of rendering something so.

put out of action

More emphatic, suggesting deliberate removal from operation, often due to damage.

not working

A simple, direct alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

broken down

Often implies a mechanical failure or malfunction.

incapacitated

Suggests a loss of ability to perform a specific function, especially for living beings or systems.

taken offline

Specifically refers to systems or services being disconnected from a network or power source.

disabled

Implies a permanent or long-term impairment of function.

deactivated

Implies the function was intentionally stopped.

FAQs

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

This phrase indicates that something was made unable to function. For instance, "The flood rendered the power grid inoperable", or "The cyberattack rendered the company's servers inoperable".

What are some alternatives to "rendered inoperable"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "out of service", "non-functional", or "not working".

Is it better to say "rendered inoperable" or "inoperable"?

The phrase "rendered inoperable" emphasizes the action that caused the item to stop working. "Inoperable" simply describes the current state. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the cause or just the condition.

What is the difference between "rendered inoperable" and "rendered ineffective"?

"Rendered inoperable" means something cannot function at all. "Rendered ineffective" means something can still function, but not to the desired or expected level. For example, a machine is rendered inoperable, while a strategy might be rendered ineffective.