as a practical measure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a practical measure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a decision or action taken to achieve a specific, functional outcome or to address a particular situation. Example: "We decided to implement a remote work policy as a practical measure to ensure employee safety during the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Reproducibility of the decrease in shoulder ROM (that is, decrease of 30% in a measurement at twoconsecutive visits) was used as a practical measure of specificity of the finding.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Chefs like Mr. Palmer of Aureole and Mr. DiSpirito of Union Pacific defend the use of cameras as a practical measure to get around unreliable servers.

The New York Times - Food

The £12 threshold was chosen by the OFT as a practical measure to encourage credit card companies to reduce their charges without litigation.

The Guardian - Money

However, in our consulting practice with both business and nonbusiness enterprises, my associates and I have found that as a practical measure the top of the scale is not the best place to start.

Harvard Business Review

As a practical measure, controlling the phase content of TiO2 films is necessary for films used in precise optical applications.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Journalist and Mexico City native José Fernández Ramos has started to cycle around instead of driving, and not just as a practical measure.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Follow Devon on TwItter.

Vice

The WHO proposed BMI as a simple practical measure for obesity.

Plosone

Thus, this study was actually projected as a field experiment, on the one hand, and as a practical conservation measure, to recover a degraded area, on another.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Dewilde et al. [143] introduced the minimizing the real travel time as a practical robustness measure.

Urban Rail Transit

If hospital admission can be taken as a practical proxy measure for the moderate-to-severe end of morbidities, then the burden of moderate-to-severe postpartum morbidity in this urban African population may therefore be estimated to be at least 1.7% (365/22,000 births).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a practical measure", ensure that the action you are describing is indeed feasible and directly addresses the situation at hand. Avoid using it for actions that are theoretical or idealistic.

Common error

Avoid using "as a practical measure" to describe actions that are overly complex, costly, or difficult to implement. The phrase implies simplicity and ease of execution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a practical measure" functions as an introductory phrase. It sets the stage for explaining a decision or action that is being taken based on its feasibility and effectiveness in addressing a specific situation. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts to introduce concrete steps.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a practical measure" is a phrase used to introduce actions or decisions based on their feasibility and effectiveness. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts. The phrase serves to justify actions, emphasizing their pragmatic nature. When employing this phrase, ensure the described action is truly feasible and avoids overstating its simplicity. Alternatives include "as a pragmatic step" or "as a realistic solution", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a pragmatic step

Replaces "practical" with "pragmatic", emphasizing a focus on realistic and achievable outcomes.

as a realistic solution

Substitutes "measure" for "solution", highlighting the problem-solving aspect of the action.

as an expedient approach

Uses "expedient" to suggest efficiency and convenience in addressing a situation.

as a viable alternative

Focuses on the feasibility and workability of the proposed action.

as a sensible precaution

Highlights the element of caution and foresight in the action taken.

as a hands-on method

Emphasizes the direct and active involvement in the solution.

as a functional strategy

Replaces "measure" with "strategy", indicating a more planned and comprehensive approach.

as a working resolution

Stresses that the intended action serves as a method of conflict resolution that has been tested and proven effective.

as an applied tactic

Indicates that the proposed action is a concrete and applicable strategy.

as an operative process

Indicates that the action is more directly related to the operation in question.

FAQs

How can I use "as a practical measure" in a sentence?

Use "as a practical measure" to introduce an action or decision that is being taken to address a problem or achieve a specific, realistic outcome. For example, "We implemented a work-from-home policy "as a practical measure" to protect our employees during the pandemic".

What phrases are similar to "as a practical measure"?

Similar phrases include "as a pragmatic step", "as a realistic solution", or "as an expedient approach". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "as a practical measure" or "as a theoretical measure"?

"As a practical measure" is used to describe actions that are feasible and directly applicable. "As a theoretical measure" would be contradictory, as measures are generally intended to be implemented. Consider using "in theory" or "hypothetically" to discuss theoretical approaches.

What is the difference between "as a practical measure" and "as a last resort"?

"As a practical measure" indicates a sensible and realistic action taken to address a situation. "As a last resort" implies that all other options have been exhausted and the action is being taken reluctantly. The two phrases have very different connotations and aren't interchangeable.