it practically is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it practically is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is almost or nearly true, often in a conversational or informal context. Example: "When it comes to the level of difficulty, this exam is practically a walk in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The fact that a leg was amputated seems almost an impossibility — and, statistically speaking, it practically is.

The New York Times - Magazine

You will probably start with a trout, killed on the spot and cooked au bleu, served with melted butter so white and creamy that it practically is cream.

Independent

Mickelson, who grew up in San Diego and knows Torrey Pines like his backyard — which it practically is — rebounded from an opening 77 on the South Course to card a four-under-par 68 on Friday on the North Course.

The New York Times

And it practically is -- it's the language of fans.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It practically was: Mr. Huang signed the lease on Nov. 10 and opened on Dec. 23.

The New York Times

"It practically wasn't celebrated then," her son and the shop's administrator, Yegor V. Zaporozhets, said.

The New York Times

For one more day, it practically was. .

Los Angeles Times

"Thinking practically, is it worth your time?" Azizi asks.

Los Angeles Times

And since the 90's, it has practically been de rigueur as a subject for art.

The New York Times - Magazine

It'd practically be the focus of your entire room!

WikiHow

Look at it today: it's practically empty".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it practically is" when you want to emphasize that something is very close to being a certain way without being completely accurate. It's useful for creating a slight exaggeration or highlighting an approximation.

Common error

Avoid using "it practically is" when there is a significant difference or deviation from the implied state. Overusing it can weaken the impact of the phrase and make your writing less precise. Be sure the comparison is accurate to the greatest extent possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it practically is" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is nearly or almost the case without being entirely accurate. As Ludwig AI points out, it conveys a sense of approximation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it practically is" serves as a qualifier, suggesting near equivalence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and its frequency, although rare, is found mostly in journalistic contexts. When writing, it's important to consider that using this expression indicates something is not literally true, but very close to it. Understanding this nuance ensures the phrase is used appropriately and effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's practically equivalent

Replaces "is" with "equivalent", retaining the meaning of near sameness but adding a more formal tone.

it's virtually the same

Replaces "practically" with "virtually", emphasizing the near-identical nature.

it's essentially

Emphasizes that the core nature of something is nearly identical, using "essentially".

it's effectively the same

Uses "effectively" to show that the end result is nearly identical.

it's almost like

Uses "almost like" to convey a comparison, indicating a strong resemblance.

it's as good as

Employs the idiom "as good as" to express near equivalence.

it's near enough to be

Uses the idiom "near enough to be" to show a very close approximation.

it's much the same as

Indicates a high degree of similarity, with emphasis on the likeness between two things.

it borders on being

Highlights that something is on the verge of being a particular thing, using "borders on being".

it's tantamount to

Indicates that something is virtually equivalent to something else, using "tantamount to".

FAQs

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

You can use "it practically is" to indicate something is very close to being a certain way. For example, "The renovation is so extensive, "it practically is" a new house".

What are some alternatives to "it practically is"?

Alternatives include "it almost is", "it essentially is", or "it virtually is", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "it practically is"?

It's appropriate when you want to express that something is nearly true or almost the case, but not quite. It adds a layer of approximation and is suitable for informal and conversational contexts.

What's the difference between "it practically is" and "it technically is"?

"It practically is" suggests something is close to being a certain way in effect or outcome, while "it technically is" implies that something fulfills the formal or literal requirements but may not be true in a practical sense.