practically unachievable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically unachievable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a goal or objective that is very difficult to attain, often implying that it is nearly impossible. Example: "The project's timeline is so tight that meeting the deadline feels practically unachievable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I am, therefore, against universal credit in principle, but also fear the programme is practically unachievable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Field writes: "I am, therefore, against universal credit in principle, but I also fear that the programme is practically unachievable".

The Guardian

In reality, most analysts, including the Institute for Fiscal Studies, believe cuts on that sort of scale would be politically, and practically, unachievable.

The Guardian

As MPs prepare to vote on the reforms in the Commons on Tuesday, Field says the universal credit is "practically unachievable" and will "rot the soul" of low-paid workers by encouraging dependency.

The Guardian

Secondly, the Monte Carlo numerical approach allows scalability on parallel machines that is practically unachievable by means of other techniques based on finite difference or finite element methods.

Journal of Computational Physics

Complete removal of total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) is practically unachievable in the WWTP's having a pre-anaerobic system, wherein the anaerobic reactor is positioned behind the aerobic reactor and the mixed liquor involving nitrate is recirculated to the aerobic reactor from the secondary clarifier.

Applied Water Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A closely related point is that at least some of the models described above impose requirements on explanation that may be satisfiable in some domains of inquiry but are either unachievable (in any practically interesting sense) in other domains or, to the extent that they may be achievable, bear no discernible relationship to generally accepted goals of inquiry in those domains.

SEP

Practically, the level of resource required to emulate HELP was viewed as unachievable: to deliver the intervention to all patients on a typical elderly care ward would require substantial additional staffing.

BMC Health Services Research

But that looks unachievable.

The Economist

"It seems unachievable.

The New York Times - Sports

Practically organic, practically vegan..."....

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "practically unachievable", consider emphasizing the specific factors contributing to the difficulty. Instead of saying "The deadline is practically unachievable", specify "The deadline is practically unachievable given the limited resources and tight timeline".

Common error

Avoid using "practically unachievable" when the task is simply difficult but still feasible with effort. The phrase implies a near-impossibility, so reserve it for situations where success is highly improbable, not merely challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically unachievable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe a goal, task, or objective that is exceedingly difficult, bordering on impossible. Ludwig AI indicates that it follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practically unachievable" is used to describe goals that are extremely difficult to reach due to practical limitations, though not necessarily impossible in theory. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly news and scientific reporting, although it has a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to accurately reflect the level of difficulty and avoid overstating the degree of impossibility. Alternatives like "virtually impossible" or "almost unattainable" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Emphasizes near impossibility, highlighting the extreme difficulty.

almost unattainable

Focuses on the difficulty in reaching or obtaining something.

realistically infeasible

Highlights the lack of practicality and feasibility in a real-world context.

effectively impossible

Stresses the outcome is the same as impossible, despite the theory.

scarcely feasible

Indicates a slim chance of being feasible.

nigh impossible

Uses archaic language to express near impossibility.

borderline unachievable

Suggests that something is only slightly short of being completely impossible.

unlikely to materialize

Focuses on the low probability of something actually happening.

a pipe dream

Suggests something is fanciful and unrealistic.

beyond reach

Indicates that something is not within one's capabilities or resources.

FAQs

How can I use "practically unachievable" in a sentence?

You can use "practically unachievable" to describe goals or tasks that are extremely difficult to accomplish. For example: "Meeting that deadline is "virtually impossible"" or "Achieving complete consensus on this issue is "almost unattainable"".

What are some alternatives to "practically unachievable"?

Alternatives include "virtually impossible", "almost unattainable", "realistically infeasible", or "effectively impossible". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of impossibility you wish to convey.

Is there a subtle difference between "practically unachievable" and "impossible"?

"Practically unachievable" suggests that while something might technically be possible, the real-world constraints (time, resources, etc.) make it so difficult that it's functionally equivalent to impossible. "Impossible" is more absolute, implying that something cannot happen under any circumstances.

Can "practically unachievable" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "practically unachievable" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when you need to convey a high degree of difficulty without stating outright impossibility. However, consider the audience and context; in some cases, a more direct term like "realistically infeasible" may be preferable.