it would be impractical to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be impractical to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or action that is not feasible or realistic to carry out. Example: "Given the limited resources available, it would be impractical to attempt such a large-scale project at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Amazon plans to use one or more of the six FAA sites, but said in the letter that it would be "impractical" to limit its testing to those areas.

Huffington Post

Clearly, broadcast news time is precious and it would be impractical to correct every small error.

The New York Times

But, Mr. Frank continued, it would be impractical to scrap the entire financial system and start anew.

The New York Times

They said it would be impractical to expect a president to veto the entire bill in such instances.

The New York Times

This is partly because it would be impractical to manipulate the behaviour of users in ways that would give meaningful results.

The Economist

Roger Dickinson, the Democratic state assemblyman who authored the California bill, said that it would be "impractical to ignore the growing use of cash alternatives".

The New Yorker

They also said it would be impractical to disclose pesticide use in advance because spraying decisions were often made only after seeing what pests were present.

The New York Times

Soghoian countered however that it's up to the government to find terrorists online and it would be impractical to ask companies to do it.

The Guardian - Tech

But advisers said it would be impractical to get together on the sidelines of the economic meeting with some or all 19 visiting leaders.

The New York Times

When recently a scientist warned of imminent destruction from climate change, we were told it would be "impractical" to try to stop it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Robert D. Manfred Jr., baseball's executive vice president for labor relations, said it would be impractical to preserve the 10,000 tests baseball does each year.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it would be impractical to", ensure the context clearly explains why the action is not practical. Provide specific reasons or constraints.

Common error

Avoid using "it would be impractical to" as a blanket statement without providing supporting reasons. Always substantiate why something is impractical to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be impractical to" functions as a modal construction expressing a judgment about the feasibility or advisability of an action. Ludwig examples show it's typically used to justify decisions or explain why certain actions are not viable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would be impractical to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a particular action is not feasible or sensible due to practical considerations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It sees frequent use in news, scientific, and business contexts. While alternatives exist, the core meaning remains consistent: something is not a realistic or viable option. When using this phrase, providing clear justification is key to maintain credibility and avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be unrealistic to

Replaces "impractical" with "unrealistic", focusing on the lack of alignment with reality.

it would be unfeasible to

Substitutes "impractical" with "unfeasible", highlighting the impossibility of achieving something.

it is not a viable option to

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct statement about the lack of viability.

it is simply not practical to

Emphasizes the lack of practicality using the word "simply" for added stress.

it would not be sensible to

Focuses on the lack of good judgment or sense in pursuing a particular action.

it is inadvisable to

Highlights that a particular course of action is not recommended or wise.

it is out of the question to

Indicates that something is completely impossible or unacceptable.

it is just not doable to

Uses a more informal tone to convey that something cannot be done.

it's hardly an option to

Underlines the weakness or unsuitability of something as a possible choice.

the idea of doing so is untenable

States that the idea is indefensible or unsustainable, implying impracticality.

FAQs

How can I use "it would be impractical to" in a sentence?

You can use "it would be impractical to" to express that a particular action or plan is not feasible or sensible in a given situation. For example, "it would be impractical to implement the new system without proper training".

What are some alternatives to "it would be impractical to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it would be unrealistic to", "it would be unfeasible to", or "it is not a viable option to", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "it would be impractical to" or "it is impractical to"?

"It would be impractical to" suggests a hypothetical or future scenario, while "it is impractical to" refers to a current state. The choice depends on the context; both are grammatically sound.

What is the difference between "it would be impractical to" and "it is impossible to"?

"It would be impractical to" suggests that something is not sensible or feasible due to practical considerations, whereas "it is impossible to" indicates that something cannot be done at all, regardless of circumstances. Impracticality implies difficulty or lack of efficiency, while impossibility implies an absolute barrier.