unattainable expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

"unattainable expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe expectations that are too high to achieve or attain. For example, "I cannot seem to meet the unattainable expectations my boss has for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As a society, we must begin to take a realistic look at motherhood and not force unattainable expectations onto mothers.

The New York Times

For his part, O'Sullivan said it had been a case of managing to temper his lofty, often unattainable, expectations.

BBC

Anthropomorphism can mislead users and create unattainable expectations.

HuffPost

For me, I realized that by having unrealistic and undefined expectations for this new business, I had basically set myself up to create new, unattainable expectations each day in my head.

Huffington Post

Letting go of any unrealistic or unattainable expectations you have will not only keep you from setting yourself up for failure, but also allow you to build confidence in your academic skills.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Sleep doctors have criticized sleeping-pill ads for setting up an unattainable expectation of how blissful and easy sleep should be.

The New York Times - Magazine

The stylish and buxom doll also prompted controversy: Many critics attacked the doll for being anti-feminist and said Barbie — with her 39-21-33 proportions — promoted unattainable body expectations for girls.

The Washington Post

The stylish and buxom doll also prompted controversy: Many critics attacked the doll for being anti-feminist and said Barbie — with her 39-21-33 proportions — promoted unattainable body expectations for young girls.

Los Angeles Times

"People are living in a surreal world, creating these unattainable ideals and expectations that no one can meet," said lead author Jessica Strübel of the University of North Texas.

The Guardian

The mic stands are too high for anyone to use, an image of unattainable ambitions and public expectations.

The Guardian - Arts

The first expectation is unattainable; the latter is insulting.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unattainable expectations", ensure the context clearly indicates why the expectations are impossible to meet. Provide specific examples or reasons to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "unattainable expectations" as a blanket statement without providing context. Instead, specify which aspects of the expectations are unrealistic and why they cannot be achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unattainable expectations" functions as a noun phrase, where 'unattainable' modifies the noun 'expectations'. It typically acts as the object of a verb, describing something that cannot be achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing high or unrealistic goals.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

12%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unattainable expectations" is grammatically correct and used to describe goals or standards that are impossible to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media, and wiki contexts, and it serves to express concern or criticism. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context to explain why the expectations are unrealistic. Alternatives include "unrealistic goals" and "unachievable standards". Be mindful of vagueness and provide specific reasons why expectations are unattainable to avoid generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unrealistic goals

Focuses on the goal itself being out of reach, rather than the expectation.

unachievable standards

Emphasizes the standards being too high to meet.

impractical demands

Highlights the impracticality of the requirements.

overly ambitious goals

Suggests that the goals are too ambitious, making them difficult to reach.

sky-high aspirations

Emphasizes the lofty nature of the aspirations.

pie-in-the-sky dreams

Indicates that the dreams are unrealistic and unlikely to come true.

impossible dreams

Highlights the impossibility of the dreams ever becoming a reality.

fool's errand

Suggests that the pursuit is pointless and will not yield any results.

pipe dream

Implies that the dream is based on fantasy and is not grounded in reality.

castles in the air

Refers to plans or dreams that are fanciful and have little chance of succeeding.

FAQs

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

You can use "unattainable expectations" to describe goals or standards that are too high to be realistically achieved. For example: "The company set "unattainable expectations" for the sales team, leading to low morale."

What are some synonyms for "unattainable expectations"?

Alternatives include "unrealistic goals", "unachievable standards", or "impractical demands". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Are "unattainable expectations" and "unrealistic expectations" the same?

While similar, "unattainable expectations" emphasizes the impossibility of achieving the expectations, whereas "unrealistic expectations" suggests that the expectations are not grounded in reality but might still be theoretically possible to achieve.

What causes "unattainable expectations"?

Unattainable expectations can arise from a lack of understanding of the resources available, an overestimation of abilities, or external pressures to achieve exceptional results.