salvageable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'salvageable' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is able to be saved or retrieved from a difficult or dangerous situation. For example, "The car was too damaged in the accident, but fortunately, the engine was still salvageable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Is Indigenous constitutional recognition salvageable?

The Guardian - Opinion

This provided a livelihood for thousands of local dalits, for whom "ragpicking"—scavenging on society's leftovers for anything of salvageable value is a traditional employment.

The Economist

But "save the rest" falls short as a strategy against foes such as Mr Putin, who might view it as an incentive to keep reducing that salvageable remainder.To be credible, strategy needs a full tool-box, for "diplomacy without arms is like music without instruments" as Frederick the Great said.

The Economist

Productivity promises Reprints Related items China: Business under fireOct 31st 2002Yang Yansui, of the Centre for Employment and Security at Qinghua University in Beijing, believes the scheme is still salvageable.

The Economist

In Germany, for instance, a "liquidity consortium", not the Bundesbank, appraises the solvency of stricken banks and lends them funds if they look salvageable.

The Economist

Now that New Orleans has a shortage of homes and labour, fair-housing advocates say there is no good reason to keep salvageable public housing closed.

The Economist

On the right, the CIA is often considered a nest of liberals, bureaucratic and broken beyond repair, whose salvageable assets should be handed over to the Pentagon.

The Economist

His reputation seems salvageable.

The Economist

Is the old order salvageable in Iraq and Syria?

The Economist

Anything not salvageable is burned.

The Economist

It is now known that victims immersed for an hour or longer may be totally salvageable, physically and intellectually, although they lack evidence of life, having no measurable vital signs heartbeat, pulse, or breathing at the time of rescue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the state of an object after an accident, use "salvageable" to indicate which parts can still be used or repaired. For example, "Although the car was totaled, many of its parts were still salvageable."

Common error

Avoid using "salvageable" when you mean "sustainable". "Salvageable" refers to something that can be rescued or saved from a negative situation, while "sustainable" describes something that can be maintained over time. For example, don't say "The company's practices are salvageable" when you mean "The company's practices are sustainable".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "salvageable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe their capacity to be rescued, repaired, or otherwise saved from loss or destruction. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, presenting numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "salvageable" is a grammatically sound adjective used to describe something capable of being rescued or repaired. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember that "salvageable" focuses on the potential for recovery from a negative state, distinct from terms like "sustainable". Common alternatives include "recoverable", "repairable", and "restorable". Avoid confusing it with words that describe ongoing processes rather than one-time rescue actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

savable

A more general term indicating that something can be rescued or preserved from harm or destruction.

recoverable

Emphasizes the possibility of getting something back, often after a loss or setback.

repairable

Indicates that something can be fixed or mended, usually after being broken or damaged.

retrievable

Focuses on the ability to find and bring something back, especially from a place or situation where it was lost or hidden.

fixable

Informal term that suggests something can be repaired or made functional again.

restorable

Stresses the capacity to return something to its original condition, typically after damage or deterioration.

redeemable

Highlights the potential for something to be improved or justified, often implying a moral or ethical dimension.

reclaimable

Suggests the possibility of taking something back or asserting a right to it, often after it has been lost or abandoned.

correctable

Highlights the ability to fix errors or mistakes, leading to accuracy or improvement.

curable

Implies that a disease or ailment can be overcome, leading to recovery and health.

FAQs

How can I use "salvageable" in a sentence?

You can use "salvageable" to describe something that can be saved or recovered from a difficult situation. For example, "Despite the fire damage, much of the building's structure was still "salvageable"."

What can I say instead of "salvageable"?

You can use alternatives like "recoverable", "repairable", or "restorable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "salvageable" or "salvagable"?

"Salvageable" is the correct spelling. "Salvagable" is a misspelling.

What's the difference between "salvageable" and "recyclable"?

"Salvageable" means something can be rescued or saved, potentially for its original purpose or a new one, while "recyclable" means something can be processed and reused as raw material.