notionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notionally" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate something that exists in theory or as a concept, rather than in reality or practice. Example: "The project is notionally scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, but delays are expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And where else can you stand astride a small canyon with one foot (notionally) in America and the other in Europe?

The Guardian - Music

The same would apply, to a lesser degree, to an outcome in which Russia, while notionally accepting Ukrainian sovereignty, covertly controlled parts of that country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Angelina Jolie is an intelligent performer with sexiness and style, but there is the sinking feeling that she won best supporting actress for Girl, Interrupted because she plays someone in a psychiatric hospital - and playing someone (notionally) mentally ill can often be a free ride to acting plaudits.

The Guardian

He mistrusted officials who had worked too closely with Labour, and moved rapidly moved partisans into notionally apolitical roles.

The Guardian

The result is that neither the EU nor individual European governments are allowed to cooperate or liaise with the bodies that are notionally dealing with the influx of migrants travelling through Libya.

The Guardian

Still, more pressure could be applied to Turkey, notionally an ally, to help stop the flow into Syria.

The Economist

But determined donors with clever lawyers have long found ways round the limit, largely by spending money through groups that are notionally independent of any campaign and concerned with "issues" rather than elections.

The Economist

In particular, it had shovelled liabilities off its own balance sheet into special-purpose "structured-finance" vehicles that were notionally separate and independent.

The Economist

But this also means that sorely needed humanitarian supplies are not reaching the Syrian Kurds because Turkey's borders with the PYD controlled areas are shut as well.This week Turkey scored a modest victory after the PYD's puny and fractious Syrian Kurdish rivals, who are notionally united under the Kurdish National Council, signed a deal with the Istanbul-based Syrian National Coalition.

The Economist

Success in South Waziristan, which Pakistan only notionally administers, would look much more modest than that in Malakand.

The Economist

A first step towards it was a restructuring of the government in March, which notionally created separate agencies in each sphere for policymaking, implementation and regulation.But so far it looks like little more than a reshuffle.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "notionally" to clearly indicate a discrepancy between a stated condition or role and the actual reality. This helps to add nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "notionally" in overly casual or informal writing. Simpler words like "supposedly" or "theoretically" might be more appropriate for a relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "notionally" is to modify a verb or adjective, indicating that something is true in theory or according to its stated purpose, but may not be the case in reality. Ludwig AI confirms this adverbial function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "notionally" functions as an adverb used to indicate that something is technically or theoretically true, but may not be so in practice. Ludwig AI confirms that this adverb is frequently encountered in news and formal writing, making it appropriate for expressing nuanced discrepancies. When you are looking for alternatives, consider words like "nominally" or "theoretically" to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nominally

Indicates something is so in name only, often differing from reality.

theoretically

Expresses that something is based on theory rather than practical application.

formally

Suggests adherence to a formal structure or designation, irrespective of actual practice.

in theory

Highlights the contrast between a stated idea and its practical execution.

ostensibly

Implies that something appears to be true but might not be.

putatively

Indicates something is commonly believed or assumed, often without proof.

supposedly

Suggests information is based on hearsay or assumption rather than fact.

on paper

Highlights a contrast between what is written or planned and what actually happens.

in name

Emphasizes that a title or role exists but lacks real power or influence.

by designation

Focuses on the act of naming or labeling, implying the label might be misleading.

FAQs

How is "notionally" used in a sentence?

The word "notionally" is used to express that something is true in theory or according to its stated purpose, but may not be the case in reality. For example: "The company is "nominally" independent, but is controlled by a larger corporation."

What are some synonyms for "notionally"?

Alternatives for "notionally" include "theoretically", "formally", "nominally", and "ostensibly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "notionally" or "nominally"?

Both "notionally" and "nominally" indicate something is so in name only. "Nominally" suggests a title or status without real power, while "notionally" emphasizes a theoretical versus practical difference. The better choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "notionally" and "hypothetically"?

"Notionally" suggests something is true in theory but perhaps not in practice. "Hypothetically", on the other hand, presents a situation as a possibility for the sake of discussion or argument, without necessarily implying it's untrue in practice.