become unattainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become unattainable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is no longer achievable or accessible. Example: "Due to the sudden changes in the market, the goal we set for this quarter has become unattainable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

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

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

Without adequate and reliable energy in the production function, growth and development become unattainable.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

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

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 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

In the 45°C to 85°C interval, the wavelength of this mode is in between the peaks of the ground and excited states, and the lasing becomes unattainable.

Nanoscale Research Letters

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become unattainable", ensure the context clearly establishes the prior possibility or expectation of achieving the goal or state that is now out of reach. This adds emphasis to the shift in circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "become unattainable" to describe situations that were always impossible. This phrase best suits scenarios where conditions have changed, rendering a previously achievable goal now out of reach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become unattainable" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something has transitioned into a state of being impossible to achieve. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Huffington Post

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become unattainable" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating that something previously achievable is now impossible. Ludwig confirms its validity and common usage. While relatively uncommon, it appears in various contexts, including News & Media and scientific writing, with a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the shift in circumstances that rendered the goal out of reach. Related phrases include "become unachievable" and "become out of reach", offering slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become unachievable

Replaces "unattainable" with "unachievable", maintaining the core meaning with a slight variation in word choice.

become out of reach

Uses a more figurative expression, replacing "unattainable" with "out of reach" to suggest something is no longer accessible.

become impossible to achieve

Emphasizes the impossibility of achieving something, providing a more explicit alternative to "unattainable".

become beyond reach

Similar to "out of reach", this phrase highlights that something has moved beyond one's grasp.

become inaccessible

Focuses on the lack of access to something, making it similar in meaning to "unattainable".

become unrealizable

Indicates that something can no longer be realized or made real, aligning with the sense of "unattainable".

become beyond possibility

Suggests the impossibility of something occurring, providing a stronger emphasis than "unattainable".

become a lost cause

Indicates that something is no longer worth pursuing because it is unlikely to succeed.

become unattainable objective

Specifies "unattainable" as it applies to goals, more specifically "unattainable objective".

become permanently unfeasible

Emphasizes the permanent and impractical nature of something, aligning with the sense of "unattainable".

FAQs

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

You can use "become unattainable" to describe goals, dreams, or objectives that were once possible but, due to changed circumstances, are no longer achievable. For example, "Due to market volatility, our sales targets have "become unattainable"".

What are some alternatives to "become unattainable"?

Some alternatives include "become unachievable", "become out of reach", or "become impossible to achieve", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "became unattainable" or "has become unattainable"?

Both "became unattainable" and "has become unattainable" are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on the context. "Became unattainable" refers to a specific point in the past, while "has become unattainable" implies a process leading to the present state.

What's the difference between "unattainable" and "inaccessible"?

"Unattainable" refers to something that cannot be achieved, while "inaccessible" means something cannot be reached or accessed. A goal can "become unattainable" even if it remains theoretically accessible. In contrast, something inaccessible is physically or logically blocked.