rendered unusable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rendered unusable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something has been made so damaged, or changed so much, that it can no longer be used. For example, "After the storm, the roads were rendered unusable due to the extensive damage to the surface."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, these areas have been rendered unusable by the addition of a decorative railing.

Independent

The facilities where Kurosu trains were rendered unusable by the earthquake.

The New York Times - Sports

Several high power transistors were rendered unusable after a couple seconds of exposure in these circuits.

Cornell University

Space itself could be polluted for decades to come, rendered unusable.

The New York Times

The elevator cars, which were rendered unusable when the elevator shafts flooded, may have to be redesigned.

The New York Times

The main hospital, built to withstand earthquakes, had been rendered unusable, and the closest alternative was almost 90 miles away.

The New York Times

Pollution, as much as skimpy supply, has been blamed for the immediate crisis because much water has been rendered unusable.

The New York Times

Thousands of villages have been destroyed, with up to 90% of clinics and schools in some districts rendered unusable.

The Guardian

Thousands of villages have been devastated, with up to 90% of clinics and schools in some districts rendered unusable.

The Guardian

She was also able to "write off" or cancel the cost of jewelry that had been rendered unusable, the complaint noted.

The New York Times

A fifth of the farmland in Belarus was rendered unusable, and still accounts for seven hundred million dollars in losses each year.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rendered unusable" to clearly and concisely convey that something is no longer suitable for its intended purpose due to damage, alteration, or other factors.

Common error

Avoid using "rendered unusable" when simpler terms like "broken" or "damaged" would suffice. It is more appropriate for situations where the reason for unusability is complex or involves a transformative process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rendered unusable" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something has been acted upon, resulting in its inability to be used. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse contexts where this phrase effectively conveys the consequence of damage, destruction, or alteration. It's a concise way of specifying that an item or place is no longer fit for its intended purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

27%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rendered unusable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that has been made unfit for its intended purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides ample examples from reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Wikipedia. The phrase's neutral to formal tone makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic writing. When writing, it's best to use "rendered unusable" to describe a situation where the cause of the unusability is a result of damage, alteration, or a transformative event, and avoid it when simpler terms can effectively convey the same meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made inoperable

Focuses specifically on the functional aspect of being unable to operate.

made unserviceable

Emphasizes the inability to provide service or perform a duty.

put out of action

Highlights the state of being removed from active use, often due to damage or malfunction.

incapacitated

Focuses on the loss of capacity or ability to function normally.

put out of commission

Suggests a formal or official removal from service or operation.

damaged beyond repair

Highlights that the damage is too extensive to be fixed.

made unfit for use

Emphasizes that something is no longer suitable for its intended application.

destroyed

Indicates complete ruin or devastation, going beyond mere unusability.

disabled

Implies a loss of ability or function, but not necessarily permanently.

impaired

Suggests a reduction in functionality or effectiveness, without necessarily making something completely unusable.

FAQs

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

The phrase "rendered unusable" indicates that something has been made unfit for its intended purpose. For example, "The flood waters "rendered unusable" the town's water supply".

What are some alternatives to "rendered unusable"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "made inoperable", "damaged beyond repair", or "put out of action".

Is it better to say "rendered unusable" or "made unusable"?

"Rendered unusable" often implies a more significant or transformative event that caused the item to become unusable. While "made unusable" is also correct, "rendered unusable" can add a layer of sophistication or emphasis.

What does it mean for something to be "rendered unusable"?

When something is "rendered unusable", it means that it has been changed or damaged in such a way that it can no longer be used for its original purpose. This could be due to physical damage, contamination, or other factors.