matter of practicality

USAGE SUMMARY

"matter of practicality" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is practical or realistic, or to explain the practical implications of a situation or decision. Example: "When choosing a car, many people prioritize fuel efficiency over luxury features as a matter of practicality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

It was a matter of practicality.

The New Yorker

There is also a matter of practicality.

The New York Times

It was also a matter of practicality.

The New York Times - Sports

This was a matter of practicality.

The Guardian - Books

To an extent, this is a simple matter of practicality.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is a matter of practicality, Ms. Amereau explained.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It was really a matter of practicalities," said Mr. Hausfeld, a partner in Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll.

The New York Times

It was not immediately clear whether the renewal of the airspace hot line was an authentic diplomatic entreaty from the North or merely a matter of practicalities.

The New York Times

Otherwise, my isolation was a matter of practicalities, with constant phone calls and many visitors making arrangements for the medivac.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Perhaps it's best to focus on matters of practicality from last year.

The Guardian - Sport

But, like many philosophical thinkers, he sometimes stubs his toe on matters of practicality.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "matter of practicality", ensure the context clearly indicates that a decision or action is primarily driven by practical reasons rather than emotional or idealistic considerations. This helps maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "matter of practicality" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Explore alternative phrases like "practical consideration" or "question of feasibility" to add variety and nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matter of practicality" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It identifies the reason or basis for a decision, action, or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

14%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "matter of practicality" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that indicates a decision or action is driven by practical reasons. Ludwig examples show that it appears most frequently in news and media, but also in scientific and academic contexts. When writing, remember to use it precisely to convey that functionality and feasibility are the primary considerations. Use alternatives sparingly to maintain clarity and avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practical consideration

Focuses on the aspect of considering practicality, rather than practicality being the reason.

question of feasibility

Emphasizes whether something is possible to do, shifting from the reason for doing it.

issue of workability

Highlights the aspect of whether something will function effectively in practice.

for convenience's sake

Focuses on the convenience aspect, suggesting something is done to make things easier.

out of sheer necessity

Emphasizes that something is done because it is absolutely required.

as a pragmatic solution

Highlights that something is a sensible and realistic approach to solving a problem.

expediency dictates

Focuses on what is most advantageous or suitable in a particular situation, sometimes implying a sense of urgency.

due to functional reasons

Specifically points to the functional aspects as the cause.

a logistical necessity

Highlights the logistical aspects and their importance.

a realistic approach

Emphasizes the realistic nature of a decision or action.

FAQs

How can I use "matter of practicality" in a sentence?

You can use "matter of practicality" to explain that a decision or action is based on practical reasons. For example, "Choosing a fuel-efficient car was a "matter of practicality" for the family."

What are some alternatives to "matter of practicality"?

Alternatives include "practical consideration", "question of feasibility", or "issue of workability", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "matter of practicality" or "practical consideration"?

"Matter of practicality" and "practical consideration" are both suitable for formal writing. The choice depends on the desired emphasis, with the former highlighting the reason and the latter the act of considering.

When is it appropriate to use "matter of practicality" over "matter of convenience"?

"Matter of practicality" is used when the primary reason is necessity or feasibility, while "matter of convenience" is used when the primary reason is ease or expediency. Practicality suggests a need, whereas convenience suggests an option.