had practically completed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had practically completed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was almost finished at a specific point in the past. Example: "By the time the deadline arrived, we had practically completed the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

By 1503 Narasa had practically completed the process of reconsolidation with which Saluva Narasimha had charged him, although trade restrictions and other impositions by the Portuguese had significantly compromised Vijayanagar's prestige.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As far as recent trends are concerned, it is observed that the construction of long and big steel bridges has practically been completed.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

And long before starting the ballet, he had practically memorized "The Complete Lyrics of Cole Porter," edited by Robert Kimball, who became a valuable adviser on the project.

The New York Times - Arts

The Pall Mall Gazette says that in letters recently written Mr. Stevenson said he had two novels practically completed, but could not be induced to part with them until they had received finishing touches.

The New York Times

They had practically no customers.

The New Yorker

She had had practically no free time.

The New Yorker

Some had practically no carbohydrates, and some had practically no fat.

The New York Times - Health

She said she had "practically raised" him.

The Washington Post

But this area had practically shut down.

The Guardian

By 1950, company unions in this field had practically disappeared.

Cornell University

Social housing vacancies had practically dried up.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had practically completed" to indicate that an action or project was very close to being finished at a specific point in the past. It suggests a high degree of progress but acknowledges that some minor tasks might remain.

Common error

Avoid using "had practically completed" if the task was only partially done. The phrase implies a very high level of completion, so ensure this is accurate to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had practically completed" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action that was near completion before another point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had practically completed" is a valuable tool for expressing near completion in the past. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and effectively conveys a high degree of progress. While not exceedingly common, it finds usage across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. Remember to use it when accuracy counts, truly reflecting a state close to finality, and consider semantically similar alternatives like ""had almost finished"" or ""had nearly completed"" for subtle variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had almost finished

Focuses on the near-completion aspect but uses a simpler verb.

had nearly completed

Similar to "almost finished" but with a slightly more formal tone.

had virtually completed

Emphasizes the close proximity to completion.

had substantially completed

Highlights the significant amount of work done.

had largely completed

Indicates that the major part of the task was finished.

had effectively completed

Suggests that the completion was successful and efficient.

had all but completed

An idiomatic way of expressing near completion.

had close to completing

Expresses proximity to the act of completing.

was on the verge of completing

Focuses on the imminence of completion.

was nearing completion

Describes the process of approaching completion.

FAQs

How can I use "had practically completed" in a sentence?

You can use "had practically completed" to indicate that something was very close to being finished at a certain point in the past. For example: "By the time the deadline arrived, we "had practically completed" the project."

What are some alternatives to "had practically completed"?

Some alternatives include "had almost finished", "had nearly completed", or "had virtually completed", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "had practically completed" in formal writing?

Yes, "had practically completed" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and conveys a clear meaning. However, consider alternatives like "had substantially completed" for a slightly more formal tone.

What's the difference between "had practically completed" and "had completely finished"?

"Had completely finished" implies that something was 100% done, with no remaining tasks. "Had practically completed" suggests a very high degree of completion, but with a slight possibility that some minor tasks were still outstanding.