unalterable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unalterable' is correct and usable in written English.
It means not able to be changed, modified, or altered in any way. Example: The laws of physics are considered to be unalterable and universally applicable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Edinburgh Buffoon, Chris Brand, recently revived the ancient smear that this must be due to genes and is hence unalterable.

The Guardian

Once a party is in power in Bangladesh it is the unalterable tradition to declare nearly everything decreed by your opponents to be null and void.

The Economist

The constitution was not a set of fundamental and broadly unalterable rules but simply "what happened".

The Economist

And yet government requires rulers, who must be chosen by some method that is open to argument.Modern states also require many more laws than are inscribed in the unalterable Koran.

The Economist

In 1946 George Orwell wrote an article on "The power of ignoring facts which are obvious and unalterable and which will have to be faced sooner or later…To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle".

The Economist

Some events, she sighed, were absolute fate, unalterable by free will and beyond the power of any astrologer to avert.

The Economist

For all his attempts to change the subject, the unalterable fact is that Europe is the issue on which his leadership bid will stand or fall.And rightly so.

The Economist

In light of these unalterable facts, Mr Blair's hectoring is morally indefensible.STEPHEN BAINBRIDGELos AngelesSIR A significant part of Britain's standing in international circles derives not from its economic strength but a willingness, since the second world war, to commit its highly trained, well-equipped and combat-experienced armed forces.

The Economist

Although the sensuously given is "unalterable," how it is taken, or how it is conceptually interpreted, depends on the purposes and initiatives of the mind the a priori element in knowledge, which, functioning as categorical criteria of reality, is "true no matter what".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Charles III's agrarian policy, however, timid in face of landed interests, failed to deal with the greatest obstacles to agricultural progress and to the welfare of the rural masses in Spain large untilled estates and legally unalterable succession in the inheritance of landed property.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A fortnight before the opening of Parliament he wrote a letter to a friend denouncing reform as ruinous and disclosing his unalterable decision to oppose it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unalterable" to emphasize the absolute impossibility of change, particularly in formal or serious contexts. It adds weight and finality to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "unalterable" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler words like "fixed" or "permanent" would suffice. Overusing it can sound pretentious or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unalterable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that they cannot be changed or altered in any way. Ludwig examples confirm this, showcasing its use in describing facts, decisions, and policies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

31%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unalterable" is an adjective signifying something that cannot be changed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It frequently appears in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts, conveying a sense of permanence and irrevocability. While alternatives like "immutable" or "irreversible" exist, "unalterable" is particularly useful for adding emphasis in formal contexts. Be mindful of its tone and avoid overuse in informal settings to prevent sounding overly formal or pretentious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irreversible

Emphasizes the inability to return to a previous state.

immutable

Highlights the unchanging nature and permanence.

irrevocable

Emphasizes the finality and impossibility of recall.

fixed

Stresses the stable and non-negotiable quality.

unmodifiable

Focuses on the inability to alter or adjust.

permanent

Highlights the lasting and enduring quality.

set in stone

Suggests a decision or rule that is firmly established and cannot be changed.

carved in stone

Indicates an enduring and permanent quality, resistant to change.

unyielding

Conveys the sense of being inflexible and resistant to change.

established

Stresses the firm establishment and resistance to alteration.

FAQs

How can I use "unalterable" in a sentence?

Use "unalterable" to describe something that cannot be changed or modified. For example, "The laws of physics are considered "unalterable"."

What is a good alternative to "unalterable"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "unalterable" include "immutable", "irreversible", or "fixed".

What is the difference between "unalterable" and "inflexible"?

"Unalterable" implies that something cannot be changed at all, while "inflexible" suggests a resistance to change but not necessarily an impossibility. Something "unalterable" is permanent, while something inflexible is resistant to bending or adaptation.

Is it correct to say something is "absolutely unalterable"?

While "absolutely unalterable" is grammatically correct, it can be redundant since "unalterable" already implies an absolute state. However, using "absolutely" can add emphasis.