almost unattainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost unattainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very difficult to achieve or reach, but not entirely impossible. Example: "The goal of achieving world peace may seem almost unattainable, but every small effort counts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But NPR is held to an almost unattainable standard of objectivity and must appeal regularly to a coterie of legislators whose animosity toward it is deep.

The New York Times

This is the great day – the great day of Peace, hoped for, longed for, at times appearing remote, almost unattainable, yet never despaired of, resolutely pursued, at last conquered.

The Guardian

Mr. Silver himself is in part to blame; his other plays, like "The Food Chain," have set the absurdity bar so high that "over the top" is almost unattainable.

The New York Times

The religious Shas party connived with the opposition Likud to pass the first reading of a bill requiring that a division of Jerusalem, which any reasonable peace deal would entail, be approved by an almost unattainable two-thirds majority of legislators.

The Economist

"The last century — as this land of yours can bear witness — saw the fall of a number of powerful figures who had apparently risen to almost unattainable heights," Benedict, 82, said during an open-air Mass in Stara Boleslav, a town about 15 miles northeast of Prague where the Czech patron St. Wenceslas was slain in the 10th century.

The New York Times

It presents both virtue and self-knowledge as almost unattainable.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

A story that lasts almost 3,000 years and is pivotal to so much of Western civilisation requires a chronicler of well-nigh unattainable erudition, who can write with the skill needed to prevent readers from succumbing to a literary version of Stendhal syndrome.

The Economist

The number nine is nearly unattainable.

Vice

It was an almost seemingly unattainable dream — maybe one of the startups we fund could go public someday.

TechCrunch

The pursuit of the perfect travel pack seems almost as unattainable as finding the perfect camera bag.

HuffPost

Supermodels used to be a mysterious bunch; the beautiful, unattainable, almost mythical stars of runway shows, fashion editorials and advertising campaigns.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost unattainable", consider the specific context and whether a more precise term might be more effective. For example, instead of saying "the perfect score is almost unattainable", you might say "the perfect score requires meticulous preparation and execution".

Common error

Avoid using "almost unattainable" when the situation is truly impossible. Using "unattainable" is more appropriate when there is no possibility of success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost unattainable" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun's associated quality (attainability) is present to a very limited degree. Ludwig AI confirms this by presenting various examples where "almost unattainable" modifies concepts like goals, heights, and revenue targets.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost unattainable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something incredibly difficult to achieve, though not entirely impossible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it often appears in news, scientific, and business contexts, serving to set realistic expectations while acknowledging a slight chance of success. When using this phrase, consider whether a more specific term might be more effective and avoid using it when the situation is truly impossible. Alternatives include "nearly impossible" or "virtually unreachable", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly impossible

Indicates a slightly higher degree of difficulty than "almost unattainable".

virtually unreachable

Emphasizes the difficulty in reaching a goal or target.

practically impossible

Focuses on the practical challenges that make something difficult to achieve.

extremely difficult to achieve

A more descriptive alternative highlighting the high level of difficulty.

hardly achievable

Suggests that success is unlikely but still conceivable.

borderline unachievable

Implies that the goal is on the verge of being completely impossible.

close to impossible

Indicates that success is improbable.

remote possibility

Highlights the low probability of success.

vanishingly small chance

Emphasizes the minimal chance of success.

slim to none

An idiomatic expression indicating very little chance of success.

FAQs

How can I use "almost unattainable" in a sentence?

You can use "almost unattainable" to describe goals, standards, or achievements that are very difficult to reach but not entirely impossible. For instance, "Reaching a consensus on this issue seems "almost unattainable"".

What are some alternatives to saying "almost unattainable"?

Some alternatives include "nearly impossible", "virtually unreachable", or "extremely difficult to achieve". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "almost unattainable", or should I just say it's "unattainable"?

Both can be correct depending on the situation. "Almost unattainable" implies a very high degree of difficulty but leaves open a small possibility of success. "Unattainable" means completely impossible.

What's the difference between "almost unattainable" and "seemingly unattainable"?

"Almost unattainable" suggests a real assessment of difficulty, while "seemingly unattainable" indicates that something appears difficult, though it might not actually be. The latter focuses more on perception than reality.