unusable state

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unusable state" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a condition where something cannot be used or is not functional. Example: "The software was left in an unusable state after the update." Alternative expressions include "non-functional" and "inoperable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

These probes, if they are done at all, might fail or worse (they might put your terminal into an unusable state).

Columbia University

The first (x86_64) encountered a bunch of problems during the Clean-Up phase, causing a whole slew of package system complaints on reboot, while the second (x86) failed during the Installing/Upgrading Packages stage, leaving my system in an "unusable state" and leaving me unable to start Gnome.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The handset would then be in a bit of an odd, unusable state, but a quick battery pull (or in extreme cases, a hard reset) would have things in working order again.

TechCrunch

The university reported that despite being recovered, the scripts were in an "unusable state".

Vice

What have you got to lose by tinkering with that registry if your computer is already in an unusable state?

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That made KENT STATE unusable, and also forced the revealing words to the end of the phrase.

The New York Times

IDC is typically not due to low amounts of iron in the soil, but rather to an unusable ferric (Fe3+) state.

BMC Genomics

The party is trying to hold on to much-needed seats in New York and California; remarkably, the bill Republicans just voted for would make subsidies in those states unusable for insurance, because the bill bans such money from going to plans that cover abortion, and California and New York require all plans to cover abortion services.

Huffington Post

By its very nature, Friedewald's equation is unusable in the non-fasting state.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

It would seem that issue was triggered accidentally 6th Nov 2017 02 33 47 PM +UTC and subsequently a user suicided the library-turned-into-wallet, wiping out the library code which in turn rendered all multi-sig contracts unusable since their logic (any state-modifying function) was inside the library.

TechCrunch

Although 1360 responses were received (a 50% response rate of those who received the survey), 441 were unusable due to: too few health states being valued (because the valuation of so few states undermines their reliability), 'dead' being valued as better than full health, or all states being valued the same (considered to be implausible representations of a participant's preferences).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, specify the consequences of the "unusable state". Instead of just saying a device is in an "unusable state", explain what functions are affected or impossible to perform.

Common error

Avoid using "unusable state" as a generic descriptor. Be precise. For example, instead of stating "the data was in an unusable state", specify if the data was corrupted, inaccessible, or incompatible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusable state" functions as a descriptive term, characterizing the condition of something that is not able to be used. It modifies a noun, indicating its current status or condition, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unusable state" is a descriptive phrase used to indicate that something is not functional or able to be used. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across academia, news media, and scientific contexts. While considered neutral in register, it's recommended to specify the consequences of the "unusable state" for clarity. Alternatives like "inoperable condition" or "non-functional status" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inoperable condition

Focuses on the lack of operational capability rather than the state.

non-functional status

Highlights the lack of function and the current status.

out-of-service situation

Emphasizes that something is temporarily or permanently not in service.

defective condition

Implies a flaw or defect is the cause of the unusability.

impaired functionality

Stresses the reduced or damaged functionality.

broken state

A more direct and informal way to describe something that is not working.

unserviceable condition

Suggests the item cannot be used for its intended service or purpose.

disabled mode

Specifically refers to a mode of operation that is disabled or inactive.

unworkable situation

Indicates that the situation is not practical or feasible.

incapacitated state

Highlights the inability to perform or function normally.

FAQs

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

You can use "unusable state" to describe something that cannot be used or is not functional. For example, "The software was left in an "unusable state" after the update."

What is a good alternative to "unusable state"?

Alternatives include "inoperable condition", "non-functional status", or "defective condition" depending on the specific context.

When should I use "unusable state" instead of "broken"?

"Unusable state" is more formal and suggests a condition that prevents use, whereas "broken" is more general and implies damage. Use "unusable state" when precision is needed, especially in technical or formal contexts.

Is "unusable state" considered formal or informal language?

"Unusable state" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is suitable for professional, technical, and academic writing. More informal synonyms may be more appropriate for casual conversation.