has a practical application

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a practical application" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the usefulness or real-world relevance of a concept, theory, or tool. Example: "The research findings are significant because they have a practical application in improving energy efficiency in homes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"It's a fun thing that has a practical application," he said.

The New York Times - Science

Study something that you love and are good at but that also has a practical application to the real world.

The Guardian

But all this emotional trawling has a practical application, too: "Intimate detail most of the time equals convincing detail".

The Guardian - Books

Today's apparently useless species may contain tomorrow's medicine.To rich-world inhabitants, the best arguments for preserving the rainforests are spiritual: that the diversity of life is a wonder of nature, whether it has a practical application or not; and that it is good to hold on to some wildernesses in the world.

The Economist

One of the widely used electrical conductivity models is the empirical Archie's law that has a practical application in well-log interpretation of reservoir rocks.

Earth-Science Reviews

The flow field, that develops when a moving shock wave hits a two-phase medium of gas and particles, has a practical application to industrial accidents such as explosions at coal mine and in grain elevator and furthermore to solid propellant combustion in rocket engine.

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Mr mills believes research should have a practical application.

The Guardian

Foursquare had a practical application: making it easier for friends to find one another.

The New Yorker

The perk also had a practical application for Goldman, making it easier to monitor employee trading.

The New York Times

Many electronic devices do see microwaves, so the technology could have a practical application.

The New York Times - Science

Some of these are obvious – modesty as an antidote to self-love – and some have a practical application.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "has a practical application", ensure you clearly articulate what that application is. Provide specific examples to illustrate its usefulness and avoid vague generalities.

Common error

Avoid claiming that something "has a practical application" if the application is highly theoretical or speculative. Ensure the practical benefit is demonstrable and not merely a potential outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a practical application" functions as a predicate in a sentence, asserting that a subject possesses the quality of being practically applicable or useful. Ludwig examples confirm its role in highlighting the utility of concepts or technologies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has a practical application" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is useful and relevant in the real world. Ludwig's examples show it's frequently used in scientific, news and business contexts, indicating its wide applicability. While the phrase is generally well-regarded, it's important to substantiate claims of practical application with specific examples to avoid vagueness and overstatement. Alternatives like "possesses a real-world application" or "offers a tangible benefit" can provide nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possesses a real-world application

Changes "practical" to "real-world" for emphasis on applicability.

offers a tangible benefit

Shifts focus from application to the concrete advantage provided.

demonstrates utility in practice

Rephrases "has" to "demonstrates" and uses "in practice" to highlight real-world use.

is useful in a real setting

Emphasizes usefulness and real-world context.

can be effectively implemented

Highlights the potential for successful implementation.

is applicable to real life

Replaces "practical application" with a more general term about applicability to reality.

provides a functional advantage

Focuses on the functional aspect and the benefit it offers.

translates into real-world solutions

Highlights how the concept turns into concrete solutions.

holds value in practical terms

Emphasizes the value from a practical viewpoint.

has real-world implications

Highlights the broad consequences in real-world scenarios.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "has a practical application"?

You can use alternatives like "possesses a real-world application", "offers a tangible benefit", or "demonstrates utility in practice" depending on the context.

How can I effectively illustrate that something "has a practical application"?

Provide concrete examples and specific scenarios where the application is beneficial. Quantify the impact whenever possible to strengthen your argument.

Is it appropriate to use "has a practical application" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure the context clearly supports the claim and provide evidence of the practical application.

What is the difference between "has a practical application" and "has a theoretical application"?

"Has a practical application" implies that something is useful and implementable in real-world scenarios, while "has a theoretical application" suggests that it might be useful in theory, but lacks real-world validation or implementation.