the least attainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the least attainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is the most difficult to achieve or obtain among a group of options. Example: "Among all the goals we set for this year, the least attainable is the target for sales growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But when one player leaves to save his marriage, Scott reluctantly recruits Miles Garrett Grahamm), a charming übergeek with a popular blog and the least attainable fantasy of all: a gorgeous girlfriend.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Just because the fantasy is, in theory at least, attainable, doesn't mean you can have it served up on a plate with a blindfold.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it may be the least bad attainable outcome".

The Guardian - Opinion

This was calculated using the backward forward method with the least-square criterion to determine the least error attainable during the training process.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

As Mr Obama argues, this second option very quickly leads back to either war or negotiations and on worse terms.By contrast the deal that has comes out of Lausanne is at least attainable.

The Economist

We don't even know if our quest has a real, or at least attainable object.

The New Yorker

the least.

The New Yorker

And so, at Sweet Glides at least, the highest attainable speed is about 12 m.p.h.

The New York Times - Travel

That they often cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars is little deterrent to people for whom youth is priceless — or at least financially attainable.

The New York Times

Through these exercises, male clients were encouraged to develop at least one attainable goal to reduce their injection risks (e.g., avoid being high with FSWs or wait until after sex to use drugs, obtain their own sterile syringe and "works" before using, bleach used syringes).

BMC Public Health

Because just as they did last year, the Knicks turned the impossible into the attainable yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the least attainable" to describe goals or outcomes that are theoretically possible but extremely difficult to achieve in practice. Consider providing context on why the goal is so challenging.

Common error

Avoid using "the least attainable" excessively in situations where a more positive or encouraging tone is desired. A more neutral phrasing might be more appropriate if the goal is simply challenging, not nearly impossible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the least attainable" functions as a descriptive modifier, typically used before a noun to specify that something is the most difficult to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the least attainable" is used to describe something extremely difficult to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms that is grammatically sound and suitable for both neutral and formal contexts. While not very common, its use is appropriate in discussions about goals, outcomes, or possibilities that present significant challenges, as evidenced in news, media, and science publications. Related terms include "the most challenging to achieve" and "the hardest to come by".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most challenging to achieve

Focuses on the difficulty involved in reaching a goal.

the hardest to come by

Highlights the difficulty in obtaining something.

the most difficult to obtain

Emphasizes the effort required to acquire something.

the most improbable to reach

Stresses the unlikeliness of achieving a certain outcome.

the furthest from reality

Indicates a large gap between a current situation and a desired outcome.

the most unrealistic goal

Directly labels something as not feasible.

the least likely to happen

Focuses on the low probability of an event occurring.

the most remote possibility

Suggests a very small chance of something being possible.

beyond reach

Indicates something is completely impossible to achieve.

out of the question

Marks something as unacceptable or impossible.

FAQs

How can I use "the least attainable" in a sentence?

You can use "the least attainable" to describe a goal or aspiration that is very difficult to achieve. For example: "Among all the goals we set for this year, "the least attainable" is the target for sales growth."

What are some alternatives to "the least attainable"?

You can use alternatives like "the most challenging to achieve", "the hardest to come by", or "the most difficult to obtain" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "the least attainable" in formal writing?

Yes, "the least attainable" is appropriate for formal writing. It is grammatically correct and can be used in professional or academic contexts to describe something that is difficult to achieve.

What is the difference between "the least attainable" and "unattainable"?

"The least attainable" implies that something is theoretically possible but very difficult to achieve, while "unattainable" means something is completely impossible. For example, climbing Mount Everest might be considered "the least attainable" for many people, but building a perpetual motion machine is generally considered "unattainable".