it is practically

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is practically" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is almost or nearly true, often in a context where a slight difference makes a significant impact. Example: "It is practically impossible to finish the project on time given the current resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Over and over the mantra with Titanic was "it is practically unsinkable".

Huffington Post

It is practically indestructible.

The New Yorker

It is practically a star.

The New Yorker

It is practically a French colony.

The New Yorker

Now it is practically closed.

The New York Times

Nowadays it is practically the norm.

The Guardian - Opinion

With sugar, it is practically a meal.

The New York Times - Travel

To accept civilization as it is practically means accepting decay.

The New York Times

It is practically a miracle that he can stand.

The New York Times - Health

"We think that it is practically done," he said.

The New York Times

"It is practically the Army Corps of Engineers," she added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is practically" to convey a situation that is close to being true or realized, but with a subtle difference that might be important. This can add nuance to your writing by acknowledging that while something isn't strictly accurate, it's close enough for the point being made.

Common error

Avoid using "it is practically" when you mean something is absolutely certain. Overusing the phrase in place of more direct assertions can weaken your argument and make your writing seem less confident. Choose stronger language when appropriate to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is practically" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically used to qualify statements. It indicates that something is nearly or almost true, without being completely so. This aligns with Ludwig's indication that the phrase is correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying adjectives, verbs, and nouns, adding nuance to the statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is practically" serves as an adverbial modifier used to express approximation or a high degree of likelihood, rather than absolute certainty. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in various writing contexts. Its usage is particularly common in News & Media and Science, indicating a neutral to professional register. While direct synonyms like "it is almost" and "it is nearly" exist, "it is practically" offers a subtle distinction, implying consideration and precision. Overall, it is an effective way to soften claims while emphasizing the overarching truth or likelihood of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is virtually

Replaces "practically" with "virtually", emphasizing the near-identical state but suggests a slightly higher degree of approximation.

it is almost

Replaces "practically" with "almost", offering a direct synonym with a slightly less formal tone.

it is nearly

Substitutes "practically" with "nearly", maintaining the meaning of approaching a certain state closely.

it is effectively

Emphasizes the functional equivalence achieved, similar to "practically", but stressing the outcome more than the process.

it is essentially

Focuses on the core nature of something, implying it is "practically" something in its most important aspects.

it is substantially

Indicates a large degree of something, close to being fully realized or true.

it is tantamount to

Suggests that something is virtually the same as another, carrying similar consequences or implications.

it borders on

Indicates something closely approaches a certain state, but doesn't fully reach it.

it is in effect

Stresses the actual result or outcome, indicating a "practical" reality.

it comes close to

Highlights the approximation to a condition, suggesting a slight shortfall from complete fulfillment.

FAQs

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

Use "it is practically" to express that something is almost or nearly the case, often implying a high degree of likelihood or approximation. For example, "The project is so delayed that "it is practically" impossible to finish on time."

What are some alternatives to "it is practically"?

You can use alternatives like "it is almost", "it is virtually", or "it is nearly" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it correct to say "it is practically impossible"?

Yes, "it is practically impossible" is a common and grammatically sound expression. It suggests that something is so difficult or unlikely that it is close to being impossible, but not quite. For example, "Given the limited resources, "it is practically" impossible to complete the project."

What is the nuance between "it is practically" and "it is actually"?

"It is practically" means something is close to being true or realized, but not definitively. "It is actually" indicates something is indeed true or factual. The former implies approximation, while the latter asserts reality. For example, "The task "it is practically" finished" versus "The task "it is actually" finished."