is practically only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is practically only" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost exclusively or primarily the case, with very few exceptions. Example: "This product is practically only available online, making it difficult for in-store shoppers to find it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In slalom, there is practically only one line per race course that goes fast, which is the most direct possible line".

The New York Times - Sports

We should expect the same over South America but there, outside few small surveys on the western limit of Argentina, there is practically only over-smoothed and decimated data values.

Earth, Planets and Space

There is practically only one reason to get a Ph.D. in physics: to be a physicist.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The corollary of this idea — even more striking a facet of the fashion world — is that in contemporary America celebrity is not only a virtue, it is practically the only ideal we all share.

The New York Times

"This 24-year-old here is practically the only guy in the country with a Porsche".

The New York Times - Magazine

The area has a major irrigation scheme; rice is practically the only crop and is exported through Yangon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Here in Vellapallam, the fishing dispute is deeply personal, since fishing is practically the only livelihood available.

The New York Times

It is practically the only public service where the government has felt able to trumpet any real improvement.

The Economist

Mitt Romney is practically the only big dog Republican who has refused to call Obama a socialist.

The New York Times

Her vociferously antiwar character in "In the Loop," Karen Clarke, is practically the only person who retains some degree of integrity.

The New York Times

Since El Salvador uses the U.S. dollar as its currency, fiscal policy — increased spending or lower taxes — is practically the only tool it has to fight a recession that is practically inevitable as the U.S. economy continues to shrink.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is practically only", ensure the context clearly supports the idea that there are very few, if any, other options or factors involved. Avoid exaggeration to maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "is practically only" when there are other significant factors or options. Overstating exclusivity can weaken your argument and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is practically only" functions as a qualifier, modifying a statement to indicate that something is almost entirely or nearly exclusively the case. As Ludwig AI underlines, this suggests a state with very few exceptions. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is practically only" is a qualifier used to denote near exclusivity, suggesting that something is almost entirely the case with very few exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid overstating exclusivity. Alternatives such as "is virtually only" or "is almost exclusively" can provide similar emphasis. The phrase appears across various contexts including news, science and general knowledge, making it useful in different types of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is virtually only

Replaces "practically" with "virtually", emphasizing a state that is almost entirely true.

is almost exclusively

Uses "almost exclusively" to highlight that something is very nearly the sole option or characteristic.

is essentially only

Employs "essentially" to suggest that something is fundamentally or primarily the only factor or element.

is basically only

Substitutes "practically" with "basically", conveying a sense of simplicity and fundamental truth.

is nearly only

Uses "nearly" to indicate that something is close to being the only option.

is almost solely

Highlights that something is almost entirely the case.

is predominantly only

Uses "predominantly" to express that something is mainly or chiefly the only factor.

is mainly only

Replaces "practically" with "mainly", suggesting that something is the principal or chief element.

is chiefly only

Employs "chiefly" to emphasize that something is the most important or principal thing.

is largely only

Uses "largely" to convey that something is to a great extent the only thing.

FAQs

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

Use "is practically only" to emphasize that something is almost exclusively the case, with very few exceptions. For example: "In this remote village, farming "is practically only" source of income."

What phrases are similar to "is practically only"?

Similar phrases include "is virtually only", "is almost exclusively", or "is essentially only", all conveying a sense of near exclusivity.

When should I avoid using "is practically only"?

Avoid using "is practically only" when there are other significant factors or options involved. Using it inappropriately can lead to overstatement and inaccuracy.

What's the difference between "is practically only" and "is only"?

"Is only" indicates that something is the sole factor, whereas "is practically only" suggests near exclusivity, allowing for very few exceptions. The latter is less absolute than the former.