as far as practicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as far as practicable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something is done or used as much as possible under a given set of circumstances. For example: "We have taken steps to prevent the spread of the virus as far as practicable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

In other words, Mr. Gonzalez is being kept, as far as practicable, in an official Cuban atmosphere.

The New York Times

That section says that such ballots "shall, as far as practicable, be in the order of arrangement provided for paper ballots".

The New York Times

The objectives, Edwards wrote later, were "to penetrate Missouri as far as practicable, inflict what damage he could upon the enemy, and gather unto his friends the greatest advantage possible".

The New York Times

Nevertheless, since independence India has aimed at abolishing the personal laws in favour of a civil code (constitution, article 44), which would unify, as far as practicable, the diverse Hindu schools and customs applicable to the various communities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The 8th amendment "acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect and, as far as practicable by its laws, to defend and vindicate that right".

The Guardian

This clause states: "The state acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

There is no legal obligation at all for councils to provide their own holiday childcare and the duty placed on them to ensure there is sufficient childcare available states 'only as far as is practicable'".

The Guardian

While law enforcement agencies continue to develop our response to emerging threats, it falls upon individuals and organizations to be alert to this and and take steps to mitigate risk as far as is practicable".

The New York Times

The Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 stated that fuel poverty should be eradicated "as far as reasonably practicable" by 2016, but while fuel poverty in England fell by four-fifths between 1996 and 2004 (from 5.1 million households to 1.2 million households) it has more than trebled since.

The Guardian - Money

It is, thus, a dynamic tool which seeks to mimic the nature of organisational change, as far as is practicable.

International Journal of Information Management

Regulations required local authorities to allow a child to live near their home, as far as reasonably practicable, the report said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as far as practicable" to indicate a commitment to achieving a goal while acknowledging potential limitations or obstacles. For example, "We will reduce emissions as far as practicable, given current technological constraints."

Common error

Avoid using "as far as practicable" when there's no real intention to implement changes or overcome limitations. This can create distrust or raise concerns about a lack of commitment. Always ensure that genuine efforts are made to meet the stated intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as far as practicable" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent to which an action or goal is achievable or feasible. It's used to qualify a statement, acknowledging potential limitations or constraints. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly valid in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as far as practicable" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to qualify statements and commitments, acknowledging potential limitations. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its frequency is common, especially in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it reflects a genuine intention to overcome limitations and achieve the stated goal, as overstating the commitment can lead to distrust. Consider alternatives like "to the extent feasible" or "wherever possible" to best suit the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the extent feasible

Replaces "practicable" with "feasible", emphasizing possibility and suitability.

wherever possible

Focuses on possibility rather than practicality, indicating something is done when circumstances allow.

as much as is viable

Substitutes "practicable" with "viable", highlighting the capacity to function independently.

to the greatest degree achievable

Emphasizes the maximization aspect, focusing on the highest level of accomplishment.

within reasonable limits

Highlights the constraints and boundaries within which something is done.

as reasonably achievable

Similar to the original but includes the word "reasonably", stressing rationale and justification.

subject to practical constraints

Highlights how constraints and real world conditions are limiting factors.

contingent on feasibility

Similar to the original but it highlights how contingency/probability is a factor to be considered.

depending on real-world limitations

It puts a special emphasis on the limitations given by a particular scenario.

considering the existing limitations

Highlights a situation where constraints must be acknowledged.

FAQs

What does "as far as practicable" mean?

The phrase "as far as practicable" means to the extent that something is possible or feasible, taking into account existing conditions, resources, and limitations. It suggests doing something to the greatest extent that is realistically achievable.

How can I use "as far as practicable" in a sentence?

You can use "as far as practicable" to qualify a commitment or objective, indicating that you will do something to the best of your ability given the circumstances. For example, "We aim to recycle all waste "wherever possible"".

What are some alternatives to "as far as practicable"?

Some alternatives to "as far as practicable" include "to the extent feasible", "wherever possible", "as much as is viable", or "within reasonable limits". The choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "as far as practicable" and "as far as possible"?

While similar, "as far as practicable" implies considering practical limitations and constraints, whereas "as far as possible" focuses more on the sheer limit of what can be done without necessarily considering real-world restrictions. Therefore, "as far as practicable" often suggests a more pragmatic approach.