unrecoverable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unrecoverable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be recovered or restored, often in contexts related to data loss or damage. Example: "The hard drive crashed, and all the files were deemed unrecoverable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These include the tendency to seek out information that supports one's own argument, and to discount information that does not; and the sunk-cost fallacy the factoring-in of unrecoverable costs already incurred when making decisions.

The Economist

Most of the remainder sit on billions of dollars-worth of unrecoverable loans, and would have failed long ago if only the politicians had let them.

The Economist

So while it cracks down on any kind of dissent, it also means to treat the oppressed with some measure of sympathy by hitting out at local party extortionists and bullies.The trouble is, once the stimulus money is spent, there will be a further pile of shoddy infrastructure projects, redundant factories and unrecoverable loans to show for it.

The Economist

If both the monetary disincentive for wrongdoing and the regulations to guard against it are neutered simultaneously, the inevitable result will be great and unrecoverable damage to large numbers of consumers.

The Economist

Much hope is being placed in information technology, both as a means of monitoring risk, and of recentralising powers within the state banking system that have been lost to wayward local branches.Though the central bank's governor, Dai Xianglong, insisted in late April that unrecoverable loans among the state banks were no more than 6-7% of assets, the claim is not credible.

The Economist

In some of them, reckless lending has left banks with unrecoverable loans that far outstrip their shareholders' capital.

The Economist

Storing gas is expensive, partly because reservoirs need to be pumped full of unrecoverable "cushion gas" to maintain pressure, and partly because storing gas for the future means giving up the opportunity to sell it today.

The Economist

If the chaebol are allowed to control banking, it doesn't take much imagination to see how the people of a whole nation can be dispossessed and enslaved.This raises again the spectre of money in the banks being rendered valueless and unrecoverable, as in Nazi Germany.

The Economist

Earlier this year the central-bank governor, Dai Xianglong, admitted that 5-6% of all loans are unrecoverable.

The Economist

Amex's charge-offs of debt deemed unrecoverable have climbed in a few months from unusually low levels to well above the historic average of 4.8% of balances outstanding.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

With his approval ratings in near-unrecoverable territory, it's worth a shot, at least.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unrecoverable" to describe situations where restoration or retrieval is impossible, such as "unrecoverable data loss" or "unrecoverable financial losses".

Common error

Avoid using "unrecoverable" when the situation still has a chance of being remedied. For instance, saying "unrecoverable mistake" might be too strong if there are still options for correction.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unrecoverable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that cannot be recovered or restored. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "unrecoverable" modifies nouns such as "loans", "damage", and "remains".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "unrecoverable" functions as an adjective to describe something that cannot be retrieved or restored. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, primarily in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While synonymous with terms like "irrecoverable" and "irretrievable", it's crucial to reserve "unrecoverable" for situations genuinely beyond remedy, avoiding overuse in reversible scenarios. Its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for professional and informative writing, emphasizing the finality and impossibility of retrieval across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irrecoverable

Synonymous with "unrecoverable", emphasizing the impossibility of recovery.

irretrievable

Focuses on the inability to retrieve something that has been lost or misplaced.

permanently lost

Highlights the enduring state of being lost, with no chance of return.

beyond retrieval

Emphasizes that the possibility of retrieval has passed.

impossible to regain

Focuses on the impossibility of getting something back that was once possessed.

irreparable

Describes damage that is too severe to be repaired, often leading to an unrecoverable state.

unsalvageable

Indicates that something cannot be saved from destruction or loss.

gone forever

A more emphatic way of stating something is permanently lost and unrecoverable.

irredeemable

Implies a loss of value or status that cannot be recovered or compensated for.

past restoration

Signifies that something is so damaged or deteriorated that it cannot be brought back to its original condition.

FAQs

How to use "unrecoverable" in a sentence?

The term "unrecoverable" describes something that cannot be retrieved or restored. For example, "The system crash resulted in "unrecoverable data loss"" or "The damage to the antique vase was "unrecoverable"".

What can I say instead of "unrecoverable"?

You can use alternatives like "irrecoverable", "irretrievable", or "permanently lost" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "unrecoverable"?

Use "unrecoverable" when describing situations where there is no possibility of retrieval or restoration. This applies to data loss, financial losses, or damage to objects that cannot be repaired.

Which is correct, "unrecoverable damage" or "irreversible damage"?

Both phrases are correct but carry slightly different connotations. "Unrecoverable damage" emphasizes the inability to retrieve or restore something to its original state, while "irreversible damage" focuses on the permanent nature of the damage and the inability to reverse its effects.