became unattainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became unattainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or goal that was once achievable but is no longer possible to reach. Example: "After the sudden changes in the market, the dream of owning a home became unattainable for many families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Eventually, one of Manhattan's most fashionable office markets — which is centered in the East 50s and takes its name from the Plaza Hotel — became unattainable to all but the lords of high finance.

The New York Times

There was much more opposition to the war than anybody had expected; seemingly reliable allies jumped ship; the coöperation of the Security Council became unattainable; even the impeccably loyal Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, needed last-minute resuscitation, in the form of a Presidential reiteration of support for Palestinian statehood.

The New Yorker

While their play-off hopes were intact, Mowbray had been reluctant to bring academy talents into the first-team, but has relaxed that approach since promotion became unattainable.

BBC

His teammate Sordo kept the pressure on, winning three stages, but on Stage 6, Loeb extended his lead from 6.6 seconds to nearly 24 seconds, and from thereon became unattainable.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Moreover, depending on these velocities, some relative positions (targets) in the formation become unattainable.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Some that are set become unattainable, and 10 of these are listed here.

The Guardian - Sport

If these benefits become unattainable, life cannot be simply thrown away, even for the convenience of the person who holds it.

The Economist

Previous literature suggests that having two goals a primary goal and a backup goal might help people continue striving even when the primary goal becomes unattainable.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

Pirc, the independent advisers on corporate governance, warned shareholders to vote down the board's impudent pay package: the option to take a bonus of up to 400% with lower targets, because the old ones had become unattainable.

The Guardian - Opinion

As formerly boho environs of Brooklyn become unattainable due to creeping Manhattanization and seven-figure real estate prices, creative professionals of child-rearing age — the type of alt-culture-allegiant urbanites who once considered themselves too cool to ever leave the city — are starting to ponder the unthinkable: a move to the suburbs.

The New York Times

Analysis of an oscillatory kinetic mechanism whose variables are surface oxide and gas phase reactant, shows that in some range of operating conditions the uniform state becomes unattainable beyond a critical system length, and an asymmetric state of surface oxide emerges.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became unattainable" to clearly indicate a shift in circumstances that prevents a goal or achievement from being realized. For example, "Due to rising costs, higher education became unattainable for many low-income students."

Common error

Avoid using "became unattainable" to describe something that was always impossible. Instead, reserve it for situations where a change in circumstances led to the impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became unattainable" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or pronoun's state of being. It indicates that something has transitioned into a state of impossibility or being out of reach. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "became unattainable" is a phrase used to describe a shift where something previously achievable is no longer possible. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its usage is relatively rare, appearing mostly in news, science, and wiki contexts. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to use it accurately, reserving it for situations where circumstances truly shifted, making something impossible, rather than something that was always out of reach. When used properly, this phrase can effectively communicate the sense of lost possibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turned impossible

Emphasizes the shift to impossibility.

proved unachievable

Highlights the failure to achieve a desired outcome.

grew out of reach

Focuses on the increasing distance and difficulty in attaining something.

resulted unobtainable

Indicates that some event or process lead to an end result of something being impossible.

ended up being beyond reach

Implies that the outcome concluded in some objective not being achieved.

morphed out of reach

Indicates an evolution towards being unachievable

metamorphosed out of reach

More formal version to indicate an evolution towards being unachievable

transformed in being out of reach

Highlights the event of something being more out of reach

degenerated into being unachievable

Highlights a negative or downhill evolution into something being unachievable

turned into something out of reach

Highlights the metamorphosis to something not being achieved

FAQs

How can I rephrase "became unattainable"?

Alternatives include "turned impossible", "proved unachievable", or "grew out of reach", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has become unattainable"?

Yes, "has become unattainable" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to describe a situation that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "The dream of owning a home has become unattainable for many."

When should I use "became unattainable" instead of "was unattainable"?

"Became unattainable" is used when something changed to make a goal impossible. "Was unattainable" describes a goal that always lacked possibility. The first one refers to a transition of state. The second to an invariant state.

What are some common nouns that follow "became unattainable"?

Common nouns include "goal", "dream", "objective", "standard", "luxury", "promotion", or "cooperation". For example, "Promotion "became unattainable" after the restructuring".