demand the unattainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "demand the unattainable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a desire or expectation for something that is impossible to achieve or obtain. Example: "In her quest for perfection, she often found herself demanding the unattainable, leading to constant disappointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Will Tory backbenchers push him to demand the unattainable, thereby making it hard for him to claim a successful outcome?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There has to be some way to analyze these proposals without pulverizing them, to negotiate a verifiable and attainable compromise without demanding the unattainable.

The New York Times

Rep. Eliot L. Engel (N.Y ., the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the demands are unattainable.

The Washington Post

From the fields and orchards of California to the population centres of the east coast, farmers and others on the food distribution chain say high-value and nutritious food is being sacrificed to retailers' demand for unattainable perfection.

The Guardian

The Unattainable.

Columbia University

Mr. Kelly's vision thus represents the unattainable.

The New York Times - Arts

He believed that the unattainable was attainable.

The New York Times

The unattainable doesn't often make us happy – it's unattainable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Promiscuity married to aloofness, as the unattainable object of desire.

The Economist

Chasing after the unattainable is the fun part".

The New York Times - Sports

His only flaw was that he chased the unattainable".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "demand the unattainable" to underscore the impracticality or unreasonableness of a request or expectation. This phrase is particularly effective when highlighting the futility of pursuing unrealistic goals.

Common error

Avoid using "demand the unattainable" when simply advocating for ambitious goals. Ensure the context genuinely reflects an impossibility or extreme unlikelihood of success, not just a challenging objective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "demand the unattainable" functions as a verb phrase where "demand" acts as the verb and "the unattainable" acts as the direct object. This construction typically describes an unrealistic or impossible expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "demand the unattainable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies requiring something impossible to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from reputable sources. Although its frequency is rare, it serves to criticize or highlight the impracticality of expectations. Semantically related phrases include "ask for the impossible" and "require the unachievable". When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely reflects an impossibility, not just a challenging objective, to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask for the impossible

Focuses on the act of asking, emphasizing the impossibility of the request.

desire the unobtainable

Focuses on the desire for something impossible to get.

require the unachievable

Highlights the requirement aspect, suggesting a standard or expectation that cannot be met.

seek the unfeasible

Emphasizes the act of searching, with a focus on the impracticality of the goal.

insist on perfection

Emphasizes insistence and links it to the high standard of perfection, which can be difficult or impossible to reach.

pursue a pipe dream

Refers to pursuing something unrealistic, highlighting its illusory nature.

chase rainbows

Implies pursuing something alluring but ultimately impossible to catch.

expect miracles

Highlights the expectation of something extraordinary and unlikely to happen.

aim for the stars

Suggests aiming very high, even if the goal is difficult to reach.

wish for the moon

Indicates a desire for something grand and typically out of reach.

FAQs

How can I use "demand the unattainable" in a sentence?

You can use "demand the unattainable" to describe situations where someone is asking for something that is impossible to achieve. For instance, "The manager's unrealistic expectations led him to demand the unattainable from his team".

What is a good alternative to "demand the unattainable"?

Alternatives include "ask for the impossible", "require the unachievable", or "seek the unfeasible". Each carries a similar connotation of requesting something beyond reach.

Is it ever appropriate to "demand the unattainable"?

While generally negative, "demanding the unattainable" might be appropriate in contexts where highlighting the absurdity of a situation or expectation is the goal. It serves to emphasize the unreasonableness of the demand.

How does "demand the unattainable" differ from "aim high"?

"Aim high" suggests setting ambitious goals that are still potentially achievable, whereas "demand the unattainable" implies that the desired outcome is inherently impossible. The former is aspirational, while the latter is critical of unrealistic expectations.