unattainable future

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unattainable future" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a future that is impossible to achieve or reach, often in a philosophical or aspirational context. Example: "Many people spend their lives chasing an unattainable future, forgetting to appreciate the present moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is fine to hope that the "region's battered pluralism" might revive, but that risks sounding like wishful thinking about an unattainable future.

The Guardian

And although the pilot is fun and thoroughly entertaining -- its star, AnnaSophia Robb, is undeniably appealing -- there's something fundamentally odd about watching a character who once represented a (mostly) unattainable future life as an insecure girl 10 years your junior.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Forging unity could be further complicated by the involvement of the non-banks that bought debt after the defaults.If the required level of support from either creditors or the government proves unattainable, the saga's future could prove to be a lot longer than its past.

The Economist

In addition to exploiting the communitarian culture and intelligence, ordinarily unattainable by empirical methods, future-oriented approach is reciprocal: advancing the societal understanding of the possible and probable to picture the desirable.

European Journal of Futures Research

Since no meaningful existence can be devoted exclusively to one type of goods (the goods of the future being ultimately unattainable and the goods of the present being ultimately too narrow), Rickert argues that the "personal union" (Rickert 1921b, 402) between man and woman amounts to a mutual completion and a synthesis of the two domains of values.

SEP

The rail authority hopes Congress will chip in an additional $3 billion to extend the initial segment into San Francisco and Bakersfield, but at the moment future federal money is almost unattainable.

Los Angeles Times

As a consumer, Google TV feels like the future, but a future that's unattainable and unrealistic.

TechCrunch

It's amazing what putting the future above the past, jobs above some unattainable justice, can forge.

The New York Times

Whichever method is used to calculate the numbers of health workers needed, it is clear that targets are unattainable in many low-income countries in the foreseeable future [ 26].

Human Resources for Health

But unlike areas to the north and south in the Fourth District, where high-voltage transmission lines are already in place to ship the energy out, Cheyenne Wells's wind-powered future is just a frustrating, and, for now, unattainable vision.

The New York Times

Creating a full connectivity map of the brain could lead to information that could help in determining the reasons why people have certain brain disorders at a level previously unattainable, giving physician a possibility for easier diagnosis, early detection of future illnesses or maybe even prevention of mental or physical ailments.

Journal of Big Data

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing goals, visions, or aspirations, use "unattainable future" to temper expectations and acknowledge potential challenges in achieving them. This adds a layer of realism to discussions about long-term objectives.

Common error

Avoid using "unattainable future" when you actually mean an uncertain or unpredictable future. "Unattainable" specifically implies impossibility, whereas "uncertain" simply means the outcome is unknown.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unattainable future" functions as a noun phrase where "unattainable" modifies "future". It describes a future state or outcome that is considered impossible to achieve or realize. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase is typically used in discussions concerning goals, expectations, or societal visions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unattainable future" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a future state considered impossible to achieve. According to Ludwig, the phrase appears more often in news and media and scientific contexts. Its purpose is to convey skepticism regarding the feasibility of certain future outcomes. Alternatives include "impossible future" and "inaccessible future". While Ludwig confirms its correct usage, it's important to distinguish it from "uncertain future", which simply indicates unpredictability rather than impossibility. The phrase should be utilized to add realism and temper enthusiasm in discussions about long-term objectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impossible future

Emphasizes the impossibility of the future state.

inaccessible future

Focuses on the difficulty of reaching or accessing the future state.

unreachable future

Highlights the inability to reach the specified future.

unachievable future

Highlights the inability to achieve or bring about the future.

distant future

Suggests a future far removed and potentially difficult to foresee or influence.

unrealizable future

Focuses on the impossibility of making the future real or tangible.

elusive future

Implies that the future is hard to catch or define.

unrealistic future

Focuses on the lack of realism in the expectation of the future.

impractical future

Suggests that the future is not practical or feasible in the current circumstances.

utopian future

Implies that the future is ideal but likely impossible to attain.

FAQs

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

You can use "unattainable future" to describe goals or expectations that are impossible to achieve. For example: "Chasing an "unattainable future" can lead to disappointment."

What are some alternatives to "unattainable future"?

Alternatives include "impossible future", "inaccessible future", or "unrealistic future", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "unattainable future" in formal writing?

Yes, "unattainable future" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing to describe an impossible or unachievable future scenario.

What is the difference between "unattainable future" and "uncertain future"?

"Unattainable future" implies that the future is impossible to reach, while "uncertain future" simply means that the future is unpredictable or unknown. They are not interchangeable.