a practically new

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a practically new" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an item that is almost or nearly new in condition. Example: "I bought a car that was advertised as 'a practically new' vehicle, with only 2,000 miles on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

That went along until we had a practically new floor plan.

The Guardian - Arts

Perhaps the most radical changes took place in West Germany, which had the advantage of a practically new start.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some of it was free ("Thank you, thank you, for taking this off my hands," one friend said, as if I were doing her the favor), and the rest of it was a bargain (I paid $50 for a practically new red rag rug that Pottery Barn still has in stock for $169).

The New York Times

The present work is intended to focus on a practically new technique which enhances the surface potential and electric field strength for the existing ceramic disc insulators used for both HVAC and DC transmission.

Applied Energy

Michigan officials Tuesday approved a $4.6 million tax credit to help convince Chrysler (or really, Fiat, which owns 20% and is calling the shots at the U.S. automaker) to build small, fuel-efficient engines at a practically new engine factory in Michigan.

Forbes

Because of this many people resort to buying a practically new car from a local used car lot.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I could buy Homefront today for $35 (it's $60 new, $45-5045-50, so that's a bargain) but there's no guarantee when I log on there that I'll find what I want, and of course unless I do my research, there's a good risk of over-paying — just saw $200 for a "practically brand new Wii" when actually brand new is well below that, for instance.

TechCrunch

The work is a visual as well as a historical astonishment: fresh and brilliantly colored, looking practically new, it is covered with fantastical images of African animals and big fish eating little fish and a whale about to swallow a ship.

The New Yorker

The cars would look practically new, but the prices were a huge drop on those of actually new vehicles.

TechCrunch

"It is something practically new for Iraqis".

The New York Times

It was practically new, maybe even new-new.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an item as "a practically new", be specific about the reasons for its near-new condition. Mentioning factors like minimal use, careful maintenance, or recent refurbishment enhances the description's credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a practically new" if the item has significant wear or damage. Overstating its condition can mislead readers and undermine your credibility. Be honest about any imperfections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a practically new" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun is in a condition very close to being new. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing items such as cars, floors, and techniques.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a practically new" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to indicate that something is in almost-new condition. Ludwig shows that it is grammatically correct and most frequently appears in news and media, science and encyclopedic contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the item genuinely reflects this near-new state to maintain credibility. While "a practically new" isn't overly common, it is a reliable way to convey excellent condition without claiming an item is completely unused.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an almost new

Substitutes 'practically' with 'almost', indicating a very slight deviation from being completely new.

a virtually new

Replaces 'practically' with 'virtually', suggesting that it is so close to new that the difference is negligible.

a near-new

Uses a hyphenated adjective to denote something close to new condition.

a close-to-new

Similar to 'near-new', emphasizing proximity to new condition.

a barely used

Focuses on the minimal usage, implying it's almost new.

a lightly used

Highlights the gentle use of the item, suggesting it's nearly new.

a slightly used

Indicates minimal usage, implying a condition very close to new.

a pristine

Describes something in perfect condition, as if it were new.

an immaculate

Indicates something that is perfectly clean, neat, or tidy; implying like new.

a spanking new

While “new” is used in this phrase the additional adjective “spanking” gives a subtle nuance, it means completely new and unused, perhaps even unexpectedly so.

FAQs

How can I use "a practically new" in a sentence?

You can use "a practically new" to describe an item that is almost new in condition, suggesting it has been barely used or well-maintained. For example, "I bought "a practically new car" from a dealership at a discounted price."

What phrases are similar to "a practically new"?

Similar phrases include "an almost new", "a virtually new", or "a near-new". These alternatives all convey the idea that something is very close to being in new condition.

Is it better to say "a practically new" or "a brand new"?

"A brand new" implies the item is completely unused and in perfect condition. "A practically new" suggests it's almost new, but may have slight imperfections or minimal use. The choice depends on the actual condition of the item.

What does "practically" mean in the context of "a practically new"?

In this context, "practically" means 'almost' or 'virtually'. It indicates that the item is so close to being new that any difference is negligible. The phrase is saying the item has attributes very close to that of "a new" one.