virtually unobtainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually unobtainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost impossible to acquire or obtain, often due to rarity or difficulty. Example: "The rare artifact was deemed virtually unobtainable, as only a handful of them existed in the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Indeed much of the "Uncle" canon is virtually unobtainable.

The Economist

The picture is in a category that has now become virtually unobtainable.

The New York Times - Arts

To make matters worse, Detroit's defence had no answer for the Cardinals offence, making the game virtually unobtainable before half time.

Independent

For many years much of his work was virtually unobtainable, having originally been produced in small editions or circulated privately in typescript.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Two of the excluded candidates, Ralph Nader of the Green Party and Patrick J. Buchanan of the Reform Party, have repeatedly criticized the 15-percent threshold as virtually unobtainable for a third-party contender.

The New York Times

Starting in August, the State Department will require consular interviews -- normally necessary for individual seamen's visas -- even for group visas, which seafarer advocates say will make them virtually unobtainable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Indian newspapers, almost unobtainable in Pakistan, are available on-line.

The Economist

I had an idea in the back of my head about Veronica chasing the "unobtainable" guy.

The New York Times

Ashcans and unobtainable dollars!

The Guardian - Books

Yup, if unobtainable.

The New York Times

It might, however, be unobtainable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually unobtainable" to describe situations where something is exceedingly difficult, but not absolutely impossible, to acquire or achieve. This nuanced approach adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually unobtainable" when something is genuinely impossible. The 'virtually' implies a small chance, so ensure that possibility, however slim, exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually unobtainable" functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the adjective "unobtainable". It describes the degree to which something is difficult to acquire. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in various contexts, from describing rare books to political goals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually unobtainable" is a powerful phrase used to convey that something is almost impossible to obtain. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct, commonly used, and applicable in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it implies near impossibility, the "virtually" suggests a sliver of possibility remains. When writing, remember to avoid overstating the impossibility and use this phrase when describing something incredibly difficult, but not absolutely impossible, to acquire. As the provided examples show, "virtually unobtainable" effectively communicates the rarity or difficulty associated with a wide range of subjects, from concert tickets to political settlements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically unattainable

Focuses on the level of difficulty, suggesting it's nearly impossible to reach or get.

almost impossible to acquire

Highlights the challenge in getting or obtaining something, close to being unachievable.

effectively out of reach

Emphasizes the inaccessibility of something, suggesting it's beyond one's grasp.

tantamount to impossible

Indicates something is virtually the same as being impossible, implying a very high level of difficulty.

as good as unattainable

Similar to "tantamount to impossible", suggesting something is practically impossible to get.

nearly impossible to secure

Focuses on the effort required to obtain something, indicating it's extremely difficult to achieve.

in effect, unachievable

Suggests something is not realistically achievable, highlighting the unlikelihood of success.

for all intents and purposes, unobtainable

Highlights that from a practical perspective, it's unobtainable.

realistically impossible to find

Emphasizes the realistic difficulty of finding something, suggesting it's practically non-existent.

hardly obtainable

Implies something is very difficult to obtain, but maybe not fully impossible.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually unobtainable" to describe something that is almost impossible to get. For example, "Due to high demand, tickets to the concert are "virtually unobtainable"".

What's a similar phrase to "virtually unobtainable"?

Similar phrases include "practically unattainable", "almost impossible to acquire", or "effectively out of reach".

Is it correct to say something is "virtually unobtainable" if it's truly impossible?

No, "virtually unobtainable" implies a very slight chance of obtaining it. If something is truly impossible, use words like "impossible" or "unattainable".

What makes something "virtually unobtainable" rather than simply "difficult to obtain"?

"Virtually unobtainable" suggests a much higher degree of difficulty, bordering on impossibility. Factors contributing could be extreme rarity, excessive cost, or prohibitive regulations.