that were unattainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were unattainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe goals, dreams, or objectives that cannot be achieved or reached. Example: "She often reflected on the ambitions of her youth, the dreams that were unattainable due to circumstances beyond her control."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It was recognised that the old possessed qualities that were unattainable for the young.

The Guardian

To demonstrate the capabilities of our method, we present sample observations that were unattainable using previous techniques, and could provide insight into the mechanisms underlying food exchange.

Nature

It is perhaps fitting that the widening rift centers on cars, which in post-Soviet Russia have become a prominent symbol of the kind of personal freedoms that were unattainable under Communism.

The New York Times

But the new report finds that the NFL's study had "standards for accuracy that were unattainable".

TechCrunch

Having had their consumptive desires deterred by weather, the citizens of D.C. will eagerly expand their "deficits" in trade with all sorts of businesses as they buy the food, entertainment and clothing that were unattainable during the brutal snowstorm.

Forbes

"I was definitely overambitious in terms of time and set goals that were unattainable," she says.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is yielding findings that are unattainable for homogeneous populations.

Nature

The pieces evoke a sense of chaos and futility that was unattainable in a single frame.

The New Yorker

Spin extrusion can be applied first and foremost at dimensions that are unattainable with other techniques.

CIRP Annals

"We have to give them an experience that is unattainable in an urban setting.

The New York Times - Food

Fifth, the models allow a degree of control over service levels that is unattainable with existing models.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that were unattainable" to describe goals, standards, or conditions that are realistically impossible to meet or achieve. This phrase adds a sense of finality or inherent limitation to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "that were unattainable" when you simply mean something is difficult or challenging. 'Unattainable' implies an impossibility, not just a high level of difficulty. Use alternatives like "challenging" or "difficult to achieve" if the goal is hard but potentially achievable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were unattainable" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by describing a quality or characteristic that makes something impossible to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that were unattainable" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-toned relative clause used to describe goals, standards, or conditions that are realistically impossible to meet. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with notable presence in science and encyclopedic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that you are accurately conveying an impossibility, rather than just a high degree of difficulty, and consider alternatives like "that could not be achieved" when appropriate. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to definitively express limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could not be achieved

Replaces 'unattainable' with a more direct synonym, focusing on the inability to achieve the goal.

that were unachievable

Uses a direct synonym, 'unachievable', to replace 'unattainable', keeping the meaning very close.

that were impossible to reach

Emphasizes the impossibility aspect, using 'impossible' as a stronger substitute for 'unattainable'.

that were beyond reach

Uses a more figurative expression, 'beyond reach', to convey the idea of something being unattainable.

that were out of the question

Indicates that something was not even a possibility, implying a higher degree of impossibility.

that could never be realized

Focuses on the idea of something not becoming a reality, highlighting the lack of fulfillment.

that were simply not feasible

Emphasizes the impracticality and lack of viability of the goal or objective.

that proved to be unfeasible

Highlights that after evaluation or further attempts the goal resulted as not feasible

that remained a distant dream

Frames the unattainable thing as a dream, further from reality.

that were wishful thinking

Expresses the idea of something being unrealistic and unlikely to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "that were unattainable" in a sentence?

You can use "that were unattainable" to describe goals, dreams, or standards that are impossible to reach. For example: "She often reflected on the ambitions of her youth, the dreams "that were unattainable" due to circumstances beyond her control."

What are some alternatives to "that were unattainable"?

Some alternatives include "that could not be achieved", "that were impossible to reach", or "that were beyond reach", depending on the specific context.

Is "that were unattainable" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that were unattainable" is grammatically correct. The phrase consists of a relative pronoun ("that"), a past tense verb ("were"), and an adjective ("unattainable"). It functions as a relative clause modifying a noun.

When is it appropriate to use "that were unattainable" instead of "that were difficult"?

"That were unattainable" should be used when describing goals or standards that are fundamentally impossible to achieve, regardless of effort. "That were difficult" is more appropriate when describing goals that are challenging but still potentially achievable.