is practically illegible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is practically illegible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost impossible to read, such as handwriting or printed text that is unclear. Example: "The note he left was so smudged that it is practically illegible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I have a tattoo on my shoulder that used to say "Carpe Diem" but now is practically illegible.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The early volumes are practically illegible from water damage.

University of Chicago

It's practically illegal.

The Guardian - Music

Rabin is practically grimacing.

The New Yorker

It is practically indestructible.

The New Yorker

The coffin is practically level.

Harvard University

Palace Peeper, is practically defunct!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The course is practically oriented.

University of California, Berkeley

Legroom is practically nonexistent.

The New York Times - Travel

Hyperinflation is practically assured.

Forbes

This is practically a tautology.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical documents, consider specifying the cause of illegibility, such as water damage or fading. For example, "The manuscript is practically illegible due to water damage."

Common error

Avoid using "is practically illegible" when the text is merely difficult to read, not almost entirely unreadable. If some words are discernible, consider using "difficult to read" or "partially legible" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is practically illegible" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its state of near-unreadability. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is practically illegible" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is almost impossible to read. Ludwig confirms its validity and notes its common use in both news and academic contexts. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys a high degree of unreadability, making it a useful phrase in descriptive writing. Consider context and audience when choosing between this and similar phrases like "is almost unreadable" or "is barely legible".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is almost unreadable

Replaces 'practically' with 'almost', slightly softening the statement.

is nearly impossible to read

Emphasizes the difficulty in reading, conveying a stronger sense of illegibility.

is barely legible

Highlights the minimal legibility remaining.

is virtually unreadable

Uses 'virtually' to convey near impossibility.

is essentially unreadable

Focuses on the practical outcome: that it cannot be read.

is too faded to read

Specifies a cause for the illegibility.

is difficult to decipher

Replaces 'read' with 'decipher', suggesting a need for interpretation.

is indecipherable

Uses a single word to denote that it is not possible to decipher something.

is blurred beyond recognition

Focuses on the visual distortion causing illegibility.

is rendered unreadable

Highlights that something made unreadable by a process.

FAQs

How can I use "is practically illegible" in a sentence?

You can use "is practically illegible" to describe something that is almost impossible to read. For example: "The ancient scroll "is practically illegible" due to its age".

What can I say instead of "is practically illegible"?

You can use alternatives like "is almost unreadable", "is nearly impossible to read", or "is barely legible" depending on the specific context and degree of illegibility.

Which is correct, "is practically illegible" or "is virtually illegible"?

Both "is practically illegible" and "is virtually illegible" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on stylistic preference. "Is virtually illegible" might sound slightly more formal.

What does "is practically illegible" mean?

The phrase "is practically illegible" means that something is almost impossible to read. It suggests that while there might be faint traces or fragments visible, the content cannot be easily or reliably understood.