less impractical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less impractical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more options to indicate that one option is more practical than another, but still not entirely practical. Example: "While the original plan was flawed, the revised proposal is less impractical and may actually work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Lib-Dems are only marginally less impractical.

The Guardian - Opinion

The thought of not reading Wodehouse strikes me as no less indecent, and in some ways no less impractical, than walking down Madison Avenue wearing only a pair of loafers….

The New Yorker

The thought of not reading Wodehouse strikes me as no less indecent, and in some ways no less impractical, than walking down Madison Avenue wearing only a pair of loafers.... Christians have traditionally pitied those good Romans who lived before the birth of Christ, and, in the same spirit, I feel sorry for those late Victorians who died just too early to read Wodehouse.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Besides, they work less well on windy days and are impractical along city streets.

The Economist

The Times would go after the administration if there were a serious terrorist attack in New York, and yet you seem to want the National Security Agency surveillance program changed in ways that would probably render it impractical or less effective.

The New York Times

Current successful AGC (Accurate Glycemic Control) protocols require extra clinical effort and are impractical in less acute wards where patients are still susceptible to stress-induced hyperglycemia.

Biomedical Signal Processing and Control

With an active belt structure in place and limited space, re-bolting becomes very costly, less effective, and, sometimes, impractical and unfeasible.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

But that will become impractical and less efficient once the Purple Line extension begins operating and more trains are using the same tracks. .

Los Angeles Times

A more exact procedure may have been to use water displacement, which we tried, but was impractical and less reproducible.

British Journal of Cancer

@SPObriggs.

Vice

Getting people to type their credit-card details into a web page raises security concerns, and makes purchases of less than a few dollars impractical.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less impractical", consider if a more direct positive phrasing (e.g., "more feasible") would enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple negative terms. Instead of "not less impractical", choose a positive alternative like "more realistic" for clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less impractical" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or noun phrase by indicating that it possesses a reduced degree of impracticality compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less impractical" is a grammatically sound comparative phrase used to indicate a relative improvement in practicality. Although Ludwig AI states it's usable and correct, the term isn't overly common, and more direct, positive phrasings such as "more feasible" or "more realistic" might often enhance clarity. While it appears in neutral to professional contexts such as News & Media and Science, being mindful of potential double negatives will ensure effective communication. Use "less impractical" when nuanced comparison is required; otherwise, opt for straightforward language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite as unrealistic

Uses a double negative to express a similar idea, but is less direct.

marginally more viable

Highlights increased chances of success or sustainability.

more feasible

Implies a higher degree of practicality compared to something "less impractical".

somewhat more workable

Emphasizes the increased potential for a solution to function.

more realistic

Indicates a shift from impractical to something achievable, the opposite direction of "less impractical".

slightly more within reach

Emphasizes the increased possibility of attaining a goal or objective.

slightly more achievable

Suggests a minor improvement in attainability; a less direct contrast to "less impractical".

a little more grounded

Shifts the focus to being realistic and based in reality.

a bit more down-to-earth

Focuses on realism and groundedness, rather than practicality alone.

not entirely beyond the pale

Implies it is approaching realistic but not yet, double negative and more metaphorical.

FAQs

How can I use "less impractical" in a sentence?

You can use "less impractical" to compare two options, indicating that one is more practical than the other, though neither may be fully practical. For example: "While the initial design was flawed, the revised version is "less impractical" and more likely to succeed."

What are some alternatives to saying "less impractical"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "more feasible", "more realistic", or "somewhat workable".

Is it better to use a positive or negative phrasing when discussing practicality?

In most cases, positive phrasing such as "more practical" or "feasible" is clearer and more direct. However, "less impractical" can be useful when emphasizing that an option still has limitations but is an improvement over something else.

What's the difference between "less impractical" and "impractical"?

"Impractical" means not practical or feasible. "Less impractical" suggests a comparative improvement, indicating that something is closer to being practical than something else, without necessarily being fully practical. It implies a relative, not absolute, state.