a practical answer to

USAGE SUMMARY

"a practical answer to" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English, and it can be used in a variety of settings.
For example, you could say "She provided a practical answer to the problem of global warming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Creating a floating facility could be a practical answer to such congestion-related problems.

The New York Times

But that will tempered by gathering unease about the fitness of Giles, who for years has provided a practical answer to England's spin-bowling shortcomings, and whose slower-than-expected recovery from the hip surgery that last month curtailed his tour of Pakistan is increasing cause for concern.

The Guardian - Sport

Architectural theory is nurtured by philosophical ideas; the concerns and questions that move people at a certain time as much as their visions and worldviews are mirrored in their buildings: Architecture provides functional and technical solutions but is also a practical answer to philosophical questions.

Philosophy of Technology and Engineering Sciences

Shinran's thoughts meet my personal need to find a practical answer to the fundamental question that sits before us all: how can we, as plain people, find a path that will reliably WORK to reach the end of our karmic journey through endless lives of suffering, to True Buddhahood, at last.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But in a country where car is king, can public transport ever be a practical answer to overcrowded roads?

BBC

Premier Li Keqiang said that openly several weeks ago, the Chinese government would never do that, make any company spy". Purdy offers a practical answer to the question.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Mr. Guirgis is not selling recovery or the people in it as Baby Jesus and all of the disciples, but as an practical answer to a deeply complicated problem.

The New York Times

A Norwegian gave a good, practical answer to why he volunteered.

The New Yorker

Bailout Before too big to fail became a nervously practical answer to the worry about moral hazard, the word coined to describe the method used to rescue a financial entity from the consequences of risky or irresponsible behavior was bailout.

The New York Times - Magazine

This provides a very practical answer to Della Rocca's question, concerning why we should "not assent to ideas that are not clear and distinct and why is there no such obligation not to assent to clear and distinct ideas".

SEP

Provides an essential and practical answer to the growing racial and class divide the otherwise missing demographic and geographic piece of the new economy agenda.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a practical answer to", ensure that the answer you are describing is not just theoretically sound, but also implementable and effective in real-world situations.

Common error

Avoid using "a practical answer to" when the solution is only partially effective or has significant drawbacks. It's better to qualify the answer as "somewhat practical" or "a partially practical answer" if it doesn't fully resolve the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a practical answer to" functions as a noun phrase that describes a solution or response that is not only theoretically sound but also feasible and effective in real-world situations. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that it is a valid and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a practical answer to" is a grammatically sound and valid expression used to describe solutions that are not only theoretically feasible but also effectively implementable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the analysis reveals its common usage across diverse contexts, including news media, science, and academic discussions. While related phrases offer subtle variations in emphasis, the core concept revolves around providing grounded, realistic solutions. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the described answer is indeed implementable and effective, avoiding overstatements about its practicality. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, serving the purpose of presenting viable responses to problems or questions in a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a workable answer to

Replaces "practical" with "workable", emphasizing feasibility and possibility of implementation.

a feasible answer to

Uses "feasible" to highlight the attainability and realism of the answer.

a realistic answer to

Replaces "practical" with "realistic", focusing on the answer's groundedness in reality.

an effective answer to

Focuses on the success and efficiency of the response, rather than its practicality.

a viable answer to

Highlights the answer's capability of surviving or succeeding.

a pragmatic answer to

Emphasizes the answer's focus on real-world considerations and consequences.

a sensible answer to

Highlights the reasonableness and rationality of the answer.

a functional answer to

Focuses on the answer's utility and ability to perform its intended function.

a constructive answer to

Emphasizes the helpful and positive nature of the answer.

a useful answer to

Highlights the utility and helpfulness of the answer.

FAQs

How can I use "a practical answer to" in a sentence?

You can use "a practical answer to" to describe a solution that is not only theoretically sound but also feasible and effective in real-world situations. For instance, "Implementing solar panels is a practical answer to reducing our carbon footprint".

What's a more formal alternative to "a practical answer to"?

A more formal alternative could be "a pragmatic solution to". This emphasizes the real-world considerations and effectiveness of the solution.

What can I say instead of "a practical answer to" when discussing theoretical solutions?

When discussing more theoretical or conceptual solutions, consider using alternatives such as "a potential solution to" or "a theoretical approach to".

Is it always necessary for "a practical answer to" to be a complete solution?

Not always. "A practical answer to" can also refer to a partial or incremental solution that addresses a specific aspect of a larger problem, even if it doesn't resolve everything completely.