are practically

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are practically" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost or nearly true, often in a comparative context. Example: "The results of the experiment are practically identical to those from last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Reporting practices are practically constant over time.

British Medical Journal

Rivers are practically nonexistent.

The New York Times - Travel

They are practically unusable.

The Guardian - Tech

General houseworkers are practically extinct.

The New Yorker

They are practically Kurdish royalty.

The Economist

They are practically a necessity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"They were practically breathless".

The New Yorker

That's practically robbery!

The New York Times

It is practically indestructible.

The New Yorker

Kennedy was practically family.

The New York Times

Visibility was practically zero.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are practically" to express that something is nearly or almost the case, but not entirely so. This is useful for conveying a sense of approximation or close resemblance.

Common error

Avoid using "are practically" when something is definitively true. It's meant to convey approximation, so using it for exact statements can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are practically" functions as a qualifier, modifying a subsequent adjective, noun, or verb phrase. It indicates that something is very close to being a certain way, without being completely so. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to express approximation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are practically" is a versatile qualifier used to indicate a state of near equivalence or approximation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, most notably in News & Media. When using "are practically", remember that it's most effective when conveying that something is almost but not quite fully realized. Alternatives like "are virtually" or "are nearly" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Be mindful not to overstate its usage, reserving it for situations where approximation is genuinely intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are virtually

Substitutes "practically" with "virtually", emphasizing the almost complete or equivalent nature.

are almost

Replaces "practically" with "almost", conveying a slight degree of difference or incompleteness.

are nearly

Uses "nearly" instead of "practically", suggesting a close approximation or degree of completion.

are essentially

Emphasizes the fundamental or core similarity, using "essentially" in place of "practically".

are effectively

Focuses on the functional equivalence, substituting "practically" with "effectively".

are more or less

Indicates a general agreement or resemblance, offering a less precise alternative.

are to all intents and purposes

Replaces "practically" with a formal idiom indicating virtual equivalence in all relevant aspects.

are for all practical purposes

Indicates equivalence in real-world scenarios, using a longer phrase for emphasis.

are as good as

Uses a colloquial expression to convey equivalence in value or function.

are tantamount to

Expresses equivalence in effect or consequence, offering a more formal and emphatic alternative.

FAQs

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

Use "are practically" to indicate that something is nearly or almost true. For example, "The twins "are practically identical"" means they look very much alike.

What's the difference between "are practically" and "are virtually"?

"Are practically" and "are virtually" are very similar, but "are virtually" often implies a stronger sense of equivalence than "are practically". "The project is "are virtually complete"" suggests it's almost entirely finished.

What are some alternatives to "are practically"?

Alternatives include "are almost", "are nearly", or "are essentially" depending on the context. Each conveys a slightly different nuance of approximation.

Is it appropriate to use "are practically" in formal writing?

Yes, "are practically" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal contexts, you might consider stronger alternatives like "are effectively" or "are tantamount to" for added emphasis.