unattainable

USAGE SUMMARY

'unattainable' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is not able to be achieved or obtained. Example sentence: Her lifelong dream of becoming a professional dancer seems unattainable as she approaches middle age.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Republican primary voters too often make the mistake of preferring an unattainable ideal to the best candidate who is actually running.

The Economist

Before she thought of college as unattainable, but now has faith in her abilities".

The Guardian

"I think I'm not unattainable," she reflects.

The Guardian - Music

You punish yourself for not matching up to your own wildly unattainable expectations, which have been drawn from society's wildly unattainable expectations.

The Guardian

As a result legal resettlement seems unattainable to most refugees, forcing them to seek alternate means of reaching Europe.

The Guardian

An equal start for everybody is an unattainable ideal.

The Guardian - Opinion

The government's more recent attempt to announce clearly unattainable carbon-emission targets – and its subsequent U-turn inspired derision on both the right and left.

The Guardian

Throughout this period, of course, television was casting out its noisy propaganda, presenting millions of viewers with ever more unattainable versions of what it means to be normal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is viewed as unattainable due to rule changes.

The Guardian - Sport

There are clear arguments to be made in favour of equality (relief of poverty, the encouragement of social cohesion); but there are also clear arguments to be made against imposing it (this is unnatural, unattainable, suppresses initiative, attempts self-defeatingly to create a sense of brotherhood by coercion).

The Economist

They, after all, have set themselves the huge and probably unattainable objective of making America safe from terrorist attack.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unattainable", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the object or goal impossible to achieve. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "unattainable" excessively in formal or technical writing where more precise terms like "infeasible" or "impracticable" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unattainable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that cannot be achieved or reached. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable word in written English and frequently appears modifying nouns like "goal", "ideal", or "target".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "unattainable" functions as an adjective denoting impossibility or unachievability. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, and its presence across diverse sources underscores its versatility. While grammatically sound and frequently employed, particularly in news and media, contextual awareness remains paramount. When writing, ensure the setting clearly defines the reason for something being impossible. Consider alternatives such as "unachievable" or "impossible" to improve contextual fit and clarity. In conclusion, "unattainable" is a valid and useful term, provided it's employed thoughtfully within appropriate contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Cannot be attained

Directly states the inability to gain or achieve something.

Out of reach

Emphasizes the difficulty of physically or metaphorically reaching something.

Beyond reach

Similar to "out of reach" but can also imply a limit or boundary that cannot be crossed.

Unachievable goal

Specifically refers to a goal that cannot be accomplished.

Impossible to realize

Focuses on the lack of feasibility or practicality in making something real.

Beyond possibility

Indicates that something is not within the realm of what is possible.

Not feasible

Highlights the impracticality or lack of viability of something.

Unrealistic expectation

Suggests that a hope or belief is not grounded in reality.

Inconceivable outcome

Emphasizes the difficulty of imagining or believing that something could happen.

Past hope

Implies that there is no longer any reason to expect a positive result.

FAQs

How can I use "unattainable" in a sentence?

You can use "unattainable" to describe goals, standards, or ideals that are impossible to achieve. For example: "The company set an "unattainable goal" for quarterly sales".

What words can I use instead of "unattainable"?

Alternatives to "unattainable" include "unachievable", "impossible", "inaccessible", or "impracticable depending on the specific context".

Is it correct to say something is "partially unattainable"?

While technically correct, "partially unattainable" might sound awkward. Consider rephrasing to "difficult to fully achieve" or "unattainable in certain aspects" for better clarity.

What's the difference between "unattainable" and "difficult"?

"Unattainable" means completely impossible to achieve, while "difficult" implies a challenge that can potentially be overcome with effort. Something that is difficult may be possible with more resources or efforts, but something "unattainable" is out of reach no matter what.