virtually unachievable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually unachievable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is nearly impossible to achieve or attain, often in a context where high standards or expectations are set. Example: "The project's goals were so ambitious that they seemed virtually unachievable within the given timeframe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As a result, Q Investments said, the 80 percent threshold was virtually unachievable.

The New York Times

Their task against the Ravens, who have the best defense in the National Football League, has been portrayed as virtually unachievable, akin to a high school team trying to score against the Steel Curtain.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I don't think we ever felt like we actually achieved that almost unachievable goal.

The New York Times - Magazine

He loves the determined pursuit of the nearly unachievable by the young men around him.

The New York Times

"The act of preventing the use of chemical weapons would be almost unachievable," General Dempsey said.

The New York Times

A job that some, notably Tweet-person Jaytree, would probably argue is nigh on unachievable.

The Guardian - Music

Ten years ago most were widely considered unachievable.

Huffington Post

To achieve recruitment of 530 patients in each group more than 70%% of potential IUD users would have to be identified, which is virtually impossible without implementing a hospital-wide policy and unachievable due to the heavy workload at our hospital.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

For most women, just maintaining that little 'bump' is unachievable".

Huffington Post

We love to write about the impossible dream, accomplishing the impossible, attaining the unachievable.

The New York Times - Sports

But that looks unachievable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually unachievable" to describe goals or tasks that face extreme obstacles, but where a theoretical possibility of success still exists.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually unachievable" when something is definitively impossible. Reserve it for situations where success is extraordinarily unlikely, but not entirely ruled out.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually unachievable" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It describes a state that is close to impossible. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct. The adverb "virtually" strengthens the adjective "unachievable", indicating a very high degree of difficulty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually unachievable" is a phrase used to describe something that is extremely difficult, but not entirely impossible, to achieve. It is grammatically correct and, according to Ludwig, is acceptable for usage. It finds its place in varied contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business writing. When using this phrase, remember that it suggests a very low probability of success, but not a complete absence of possibility. Consider alternatives like "practically impossible", "almost unattainable", or "nearly impossible" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically impossible

Emphasizes the practical difficulties that make achievement unlikely.

almost unattainable

Focuses on the difficulty of reaching or obtaining the desired outcome.

nearly impossible

Highlights the extreme difficulty, suggesting a very low chance of success.

tantamount to impossible

Equates the situation to impossibility, stressing the severity of the challenge.

effectively insurmountable

Focuses on the barriers being too high to overcome.

as good as impossible

Informal way to express that something is not likely to happen.

bordering on the impossible

Indicates that something is close to being impossible.

realistically unachievable

Highlights that given realistic expectations, the goal can't be achieved.

in effect impossible

Similar to 'tantamount to impossible', emphasizing the practical result.

for all intents and purposes impossible

Highlights that the phrase is used for practical, rather than literal, purposes.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually unachievable" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually unachievable" to describe goals or tasks that are extremely difficult to accomplish. For example: "Meeting that deadline is "virtually unachievable" without additional resources."

What phrases are similar to "virtually unachievable"?

Similar phrases include "practically impossible", "almost unattainable", or "nearly impossible". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "virtually unachievable" in formal writing?

Yes, "virtually unachievable" is appropriate for formal writing. Its use in publications like The New York Times and The Economist demonstrates its acceptability in professional contexts.

What's the difference between "virtually unachievable" and "completely unachievable"?

"Virtually unachievable" implies a very low probability of success, but not absolute impossibility. "Completely unachievable" means there is no possibility of success. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual likelihood of achieving the goal.