proved unattainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proved unattainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing goals, objectives, or aspirations that have been determined to be impossible to achieve. Example: "Despite our best efforts, the target we set for this quarter proved unattainable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For most, it has proved  unattainable.

Independent

While almost 40m people had dropped out of the jobs market altogether as job prospects proved unattainable.

The Guardian - Business

When she started working for Walmart, she said, she had expectations that have since proved unattainable.

Huffington Post

The creation of the unified force, announced by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi, has long been an ambition of the 22-member Arab League, but one that had proved unattainable.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And if that proves unattainable, the widest possible coalition of the willing, ideally including Libya's Arab neighbours, must protect Libyan civilians by arming the opposition and defending them from aerial attack.

The Economist

The utopian despairs if perfection proves unattainable, but the meliorist – he who seeks to make things better, incrementally, cumulatively, tirelessly �� can take new hope from every success, however small: the political prisoner freed, the military junta replaced by democracy, the tyrant brought to book before a court.

The Guardian - Opinion

A shot at silverware "at home" has proved an unattainable desire but with Dardai in charge, nothing seems quite impossible right now.

The Guardian - Sport

But the new study also found a remarkable corollary: those women who could disengage from the unattainable proved less likely to suffer more serious depression in the long run.Mild depressive symptoms can therefore be seen as a natural part of dealing with failure in young adulthood.

The Economist

Those criteria proved to be unattainable.

Environmental Health Perspectives

So far, wide-scale implementation has proven to be unattainable for any of the tested DC-based vaccines.

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy

If an airplane trip once seemed unattainable, her daughter's accomplishments proved quite the opposite.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proved unattainable" to describe goals, ambitions, or standards that, after evaluation or attempts, have been determined to be impossible to achieve. It often implies a sense of finality or realization.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "proved unattainable" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "didn't work out" or "wasn't possible" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proved unattainable" typically functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or concept that has been shown to be impossible to achieve. It is often used to express a conclusion reached after a period of effort or assessment. Ludwig AI provides examples where expectations and ambitions were proven to be unattainable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proved unattainable" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe something that has been shown to be impossible to achieve. It functions as a predicate adjective, often conveying a sense of finality. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is most commonly found in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, lending itself to neutral register. While technically accurate, the phrase might come across as overly formal and thus less appropriate for informal environments. Related phrases such as "turned out to be impossible" offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proved to be beyond attainment

Synonymous change replacing "unattainable" with "beyond attainment".

turned out to be impossible

Replaces "proved" with "turned out to be", implying a discovery over time.

was confirmed as impossible

Emphasizes the confirmation of impossibility.

was shown to be unachievable

Substitutes "proved" with "was shown to be" and "unattainable" with "unachievable", offering a slightly more formal tone.

became impossible to reach

Changes the structure to emphasize the process of becoming unreachable.

was demonstrated to be out of reach

Replaces "proved" with "was demonstrated" and uses the idiomatic expression "out of reach".

was found to be beyond reach

Emphasizes the idea of exceeding limitations or capabilities.

resulted in being unreachable

Shifts the focus to the outcome of a process leading to unreachability.

was established as unfeasible

Replaces "unattainable" with "unfeasible", focusing on practicality and feasibility.

turned out to be a pipe dream

Uses the idiomatic expression "pipe dream" to describe something unrealistic.

FAQs

What does "proved unattainable" mean?

It means that something was shown or determined to be impossible to achieve or obtain. It indicates a realization that a goal or objective cannot be reached.

What are some synonyms for "proved unattainable"?

Some synonyms include "turned out to be impossible", "was shown to be unachievable", and "became impossible to reach".

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

You can use it to describe a goal, ambition, or expectation that ultimately could not be realized. For example, "Despite our efforts, reaching that sales target proved unattainable."

Is "proved unattainable" formal or informal?

It leans towards a more formal register. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "didn't work out" or "wasn't possible" might be more appropriate.