in practice however

USAGE SUMMARY

"in practice however" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to highlight a contrasting situation or opinion to the point being made. For example, "Although the new policy could appear to be beneficial, in practice however it could result in unintended consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In practice, however, O.S.C.E.

The New York Times

In practice, however, few do.

The New York Times - Tech

It's different in practice, however.

The New York Times

In practice, however, successive governors intervened little.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In practice, however, the code offers flexibility.

The New York Times - Tech

In practice, however, this is unlikely.

The Guardian - Money

In practice, however, the picture is bewildering.

The Guardian

In practice, however, this system is broken.

The Guardian - Opinion

In practice, however, this is never so easy.

The Guardian

In practice, however, there are many obstacles to overcome.

The Guardian - Opinion

In practice, however, Paulinho has a taste for the net.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of the phrase. While common, varying your sentence structure and using synonyms such as "in reality though" or "yet in actuality" can make your writing more engaging.

Common error

Don't use "in practice however" when simply adding additional information that doesn't contradict the initial statement. Ensure that the information introduced by the phrase genuinely presents a contrasting reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in practice however" functions as a contrastive discourse marker. It indicates a divergence between a theoretical expectation or plan and the actual outcome or application. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to highlight contrasting situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in practice however" is a versatile phrase used to signal a contrast between theory and reality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. As indicated by the examples, this phrase frequently appears in news, scientific articles, and encyclopedias, serving to temper expectations and provide a pragmatic perspective. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the information truly presents a contrasting view, avoiding its misuse as a mere addition. While alternatives such as "in reality though" or "yet in actuality" exist, "in practice however" remains a common and effective way to introduce a dose of realism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in reality though

Replaces "in practice" with "in reality" emphasizing the actual state of affairs versus a theoretical one. "However" is replaced with "though" which express contrast or concession in a slightly more informal tone.

but in reality

Shortens the expression, focusing solely on the contrasting reality while removing "in practice".

the reality is though

Emphasizes the factual nature of the contrasting information, using "the reality is" to introduce the actual situation. "However" is replaced with "though" which express contrast or concession in a slightly more informal tone.

yet in actuality

Replaces "in practice" with "in actuality" creating a more formal and emphatic tone, "Yet" substitutes "however" and acts as a coordinating conjunction.

in effect though

Substitutes "practice" with "effect", focusing on the actual outcome or consequence. "However" is replaced with "though" which express contrast or concession in a slightly more informal tone.

the truth is that

Emphasizes the honesty and accuracy of the contrasting information, completely changing the starting phrase. It introduces the real situation with a bit more drama and determination.

on the ground though

Replaces "in practice" with "on the ground" and "However" is replaced with "though" which express contrast or concession in a slightly more informal tone. Focus on real-world application versus theory.

as a matter of fact

Completely changes the phrase introducing a statement of reality, often surprising or contrary to what was previously believed.

when it comes down to it

This alternative changes the tone, expressing a more colloquial way of describing what actually happens compared to what is intended or expected.

when all is said and done

This option highlights the ultimate outcome or reality after all considerations, differing from the direct contrast implied by the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "in practice however" in a sentence?

Use "in practice however" to show a contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually happens. For example, "The law aims to reduce pollution; "in practice however", enforcement is difficult."

What are some alternatives to "in practice however"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "in reality though", "yet in actuality", or "but in reality" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "in practice however" formal or informal?

"In practice however" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though more formal alternatives like "yet in actuality" may be preferred in academic or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "in theory" and "in practice however"?

"In theory" describes what should happen according to a set of rules or ideas, while ""in practice however"" describes what actually happens, often highlighting a difference from the theoretical expectation.