as practical as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as practical as a" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the practicality of something to another object or concept that is widely recognized as practical. Example: "This new tool is as practical as a Swiss Army knife, making it versatile for various tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They looked as practical as a bearskin busby and as polished as an Alexandre de Paris coiffure.

The New York Times

Yes, it is about as practical as a pint of octane boost or a pair of fuzzy dice.

The New York Times - Tech

Although all these machines are powerful, they are not as practical as a ThinkPad T440, and their styling is, by ThinkPad standards, idiosyncratic and flashy.

The Guardian - Tech

A fast station wagon is about as practical as a convertible roof on a SUV.

Forbes

Few passenger vehicles are as practical as a Chrysler minivan for carrying human or material cargo, but a minivan is no match for the in-your-face looks of a Cadillac Escalade or Nissan Murano.

Forbes

That's bigger than the cargo bay of the new Land Rover Freelander, and as we've said before, one of the reasons small wagons are selling is that many buyers realize they're just as practical as a Nissan Pathfinder or similar compact SUV but handle much better on the road.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The ability to derive revenue from user transactions helps set PeoplePC apart from the other companies trying to make a living by giving away PCs a model that has so far proved about as practical as driving a car with no gas.

Forbes

But we are a people as practical as we are dreamy.

The New York Times

The best schools teach science as a practical as well as a theoretical subject.

BBC

The inside is as practical as it is cool.

The New York Times

Climate models have always been a practical as well as a scientific exercise.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as practical as a", ensure that the item you are comparing to is widely recognized and understood to be practical. This will strengthen your comparison and make it more relatable to the reader.

Common error

Avoid comparing "practicality" to abstract or vague concepts. Instead, compare to concrete examples known for their efficiency and usefulness to create a clearer and more impactful comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as practical as a" functions as a comparative expression, typically used to equate the practicality of one item or concept with another. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is both correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as practical as a" serves as a common way to draw comparisons underscoring utility and feasibility. Analysis, supported by Ludwig AI, confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across varied texts. However, its impact relies on the clarity of the compared item. To make the comparison more powerful, it's advisable to consider items known for their efficacy, or to select more direct language instead. While commonly found in news and media, its applicability extends to diverse sources, although its distribution is rather uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as useful as a

Focuses on the utility or helpfulness of something, rather than its practicality.

as functional as a

Highlights the ability of something to perform its intended function effectively.

as effective as a

Emphasizes the success of something in achieving a desired outcome.

as feasible as a

Indicates how easily something can be done or achieved in practice.

as realistic as a

Focuses on the grounded nature and possibility of something existing or occurring.

as sensible as a

Stresses the wisdom and reasonableness of something.

as viable as a

Highlights the capacity of something to survive or be sustained.

as pragmatic as a

Focuses on dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical considerations.

as hands-on as a

Highlights the practical involvement and direct engagement with a task or activity.

as workable as a

Emphasizes the ability of something to be successfully implemented or used.

FAQs

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

Use "as practical as a" to compare the usefulness or feasibility of one thing to another that is known for its practicality. For example, "This new software is "as practical as a" Swiss Army knife for managing daily tasks".

What are some alternatives to saying "as practical as a"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "as useful as a", "as functional as a", or "as effective as a".

Is it better to say "as practical as a" or "more practical than"?

The choice depends on what you want to convey. "As practical as a" implies a similar level of practicality, whereas "more practical than" suggests a superior level of practicality compared to something else.

Can "as practical as a" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "as practical as a" is suitable for formal writing, but ensure the comparison is clear and contributes to the overall clarity of your argument. If the comparison is weak or confusing, opt for a more direct statement of practicality.