almost unachievable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost unachievable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a goal or objective that is very difficult to attain but not entirely impossible. Example: "The team's ambition to complete the project in just one month felt almost unachievable given the scope of work involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I don't think we ever felt like we actually achieved that almost unachievable goal.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The act of preventing the use of chemical weapons would be almost unachievable," General Dempsey said.

The New York Times

It seems really fast right now but you need some almost unachievable target to drive you on".

The Guardian - Sport

Convincing potential investors to commit to projects denominated in a reintroduced currency is an almost unachievable task.The proponents of a euro-zone exit for Greece grossly underestimate its devastating consequences.

The Economist

In the aftermath of Secretary Powell's visit, there was immediate backsliding on the ground -- Israel killed three West Bank militants, the Palestinians killed an Israeli motorist -- and it became clear that the seven days of calm was an almost unachievable goal.

The New York Times

Here, it can be said that the growth of ZnO structures was almost unachievable at 1,000°C for the growth on SL graphene due to the possible severe oxidation of graphene during the growth [3].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He loves the determined pursuit of the nearly unachievable by the young men around him.

The New York Times

As a result, Q Investments said, the 80 percent threshold was virtually unachievable.

The New York Times

The cuts to welfare and to unprotected departments (everything other than the NHS, schools and international aid) will be cumulatively enormous – and almost certainly unachievable.

The Guardian

One is that the target to which Mr Clinton committed the United States a reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by the end of this decade of 7% below a 1990 benchmark was almost literally unachievable when the deal was done, and is even more clearly so now.

The Economist

A job that some, notably Tweet-person Jaytree, would probably argue is nigh on unachievable.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost unachievable", consider the audience and context. It effectively conveys a high degree of difficulty while leaving room for possibility. It's suitable for situations where you want to acknowledge a challenge without completely dismissing the chance of success.

Common error

Avoid using "almost unachievable" when the goal is truly impossible. Using the phrase implies a sliver of hope or possibility, so reserve it for situations where success is difficult but not entirely out of the question.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost unachievable" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase describes a goal or objective that is very difficult to attain but not entirely impossible. It expresses the degree of difficulty or improbability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost unachievable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes a goal or task that is exceptionally difficult yet retains a glimmer of possibility. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for formal communication. When employing this phrase, it's essential to convey challenge and difficulty without completely dismissing the chance of success. Keep in mind alternatives such as "nearly impossible" and "highly improbable" for a nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly impossible

Emphasizes the high degree of difficulty, suggesting a slightly lower chance of success compared to "almost unachievable".

close to impossible

Similar to "nearly impossible", emphasizing the great difficulty.

highly improbable

Focuses on the low probability of success, rather than the effort required.

hardly within reach

Emphasizes the distance and difficulty in attaining the goal.

barely attainable

Highlights the difficulty in reaching the goal, suggesting it is on the edge of possibility.

bordering on the impossible

Indicates that the task is so difficult it's approaching impossibility.

virtually unattainable

Similar to "almost unachievable", but suggests an even lower chance of success.

scarcely feasible

Highlights the low likelihood and practicality of achieving the objective.

extremely challenging

Focuses on the demanding nature of the task, rather than outright impossibility.

tough to accomplish

More informal, emphasizing the difficulty in reaching the target or goal.

FAQs

What does "almost unachievable" mean?

It means something is very difficult to achieve, but not entirely impossible. There is a small chance of success, even if it seems unlikely.

When is it appropriate to use "almost unachievable"?

Use it when you want to acknowledge a significant challenge while still suggesting a possibility of success. It's more nuanced than saying something is simply impossible.

What are some alternatives to "almost unachievable"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly impossible", "highly improbable", or "barely attainable" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "almost unachievable" and "completely unachievable"?

Yes. "Almost unachievable" implies a slight possibility of success, whereas "completely unachievable" means there is no chance of success whatsoever. The former leaves room for hope or exceptional effort, while the latter is definitive.