divorced from practice

USAGE SUMMARY

"divorced from practice" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that something is separate or disconnected from real-world application or experience. It is often used to describe abstract or theoretical concepts that have little relevance to practical situations. Here is an example sentence: "The new teaching method may sound impressive in theory, but if it is divorced from practice, it will not be effective in the classroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Contrary to political opinion, social work academics are not divorced from practice once they are based in universities.

The Guardian

Training in partograph use is limited, and the theory is often divorced from practice.

Midwifery

In such an account, pure theory is expressly divorced from practice and promoted over it.

SEP

So, pre-clerkship students became aware that their pre-clerkship education had been too theoretical and divorced from practice to be easily applicable into real consultations.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Continuing education, the dominant method by which physicians formally augment their knowledge, is largely a peripheral activity for physicians and the mode of learning is divorced from clinical practice.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

The problem was that Catholic belief could not easily be divorced from Catholic practices.

The Economist

"This trial has been as divorced from any questionable practice that may have been engaged in by anybody other than the defendant as this human being is capable of having made it," the judge said.

The New York Times

On this view, to the extent that biomedical shortcuts allow specific accomplishments to be divorced from the admirable practices they were designed to reflect, the social value of those accomplishments will be undermined.

SEP

Skills are decontextualized, which means they taught and practiced divorced from meaning.

Huffington Post

Some have suggested that masculinity has become abstracted and consequently divorced from studying the actual practices of men [ 21].

BMC Public Health

Society was now understood, unlike in earlier times, to work according to its own laws and to be divorced from moral questions, although, in practice, political interventions were invariably designed to change moral behaviour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "divorced from practice", ensure you clearly articulate what the concept is being separated from. For example, "The curriculum is divorced from practice, failing to prepare students for real-world scenarios."

Common error

Avoid using "divorced from practice" in contexts where the connection to practice is already vague or unclear. This can lead to confusion rather than clarity. Be specific about the intended practical application.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divorced from practice" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or clause to indicate a separation or disconnect from real-world application. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, highlighting its role in criticizing ideas or methods lacking practical relevance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "divorced from practice" effectively conveys a disconnect between theory and real-world application. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its frequency is uncommon, suggesting that while understood, it might not be the most frequently used expression. The contexts in which it appears, primarily science and news media, indicate its relevance in discussions critiquing the practicality of concepts. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; explicitly state what lacks practical relevance to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divorced from the real world

Highlights a separation from the conditions and concerns of everyday life.

detached from reality

Focuses on the lack of connection to real-world situations, emphasizing a sense of unreality.

isolated from application

Highlights the separation from practical use or implementation.

disconnected from implementation

Emphasizes the broken link between concept and execution.

untethered from reality

Focuses on the lack of connection to the grounded reality of practical experiences.

theoretical without practical application

Directly contrasts theory with a lack of real-world usage.

abstract and non-applied

Stresses the abstract nature and absence of practical use.

impractical in real terms

Focuses on the lack of utility in actual, everyday situations.

removed from real-world use

Highlights the distance from practical applications in the real world.

irrelevant to practical concerns

Emphasizes the lack of importance or connection to everyday issues.

FAQs

How can I use "divorced from practice" in a sentence?

You can use "divorced from practice" to describe theories or ideas that are not connected to real-world applications. For example, "The economic model, while mathematically elegant, is completely divorced from practice."

What are some alternatives to "divorced from practice"?

Alternatives include "detached from reality", "isolated from application", or "theoretical without practical application".

Is it better to say "divorced from practice" or "disconnected from practice"?

Both "divorced from practice" and "disconnected from practice" are acceptable, but "divorced from practice" often implies a more complete separation. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does it mean when something is "divorced from practice"?

It means that something, usually a theory or concept, is not connected to real-world application or practical experience. It may be abstract, theoretical, or irrelevant to actual use.