practical reality

USAGE SUMMARY

'practical reality' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to what is occurring in the real world, as opposed to a theoretical or hypothetical situation. For example, "Even in the midst of a pandemic, the practical reality is that people need to continue living their lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a practical reality".

The New Yorker

"I think there's a practical reality here.

The Guardian

That is the practical reality of foreign policy".

The New York Times

They moderate religious zeal, making religion an everyday practical reality.

The New York Times

We help them fit their ideas into a practical reality.

The Guardian - Arts

My father's trying find some footing in practical reality.

The Guardian - Books

Let us return to practical reality for a final word.

Harvard Business Review

These women have been lost due to a mixture of sexism and practical reality.

Independent

What's notable about this kind of talk is how divorced it is from any practical reality.

The New Yorker

"All of this plays out against the political reality and the practical reality," Mr. Geraghty said.

The New York Times - Health

Here's just one practical reality that makes Brexit look more shocking by the day.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practical reality" to manage expectations by acknowledging the limitations and constraints of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "practical reality" in situations where you're intentionally aiming for aspirational or visionary goals. It's best used when a realistic assessment is needed, not when encouraging blue-sky thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practical reality" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It denotes the state of affairs as they truly exist, considering tangible constraints and possibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practical reality" is a noun phrase used to emphasize realism and feasibility. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and wide applicability of the expression. It's particularly common in News & Media and Scientific contexts, serving to ground discussions in fact-based perspectives. While widely used, it should be avoided when the objective is blue-sky thinking. Consider alternatives such as ""actual situation"" or "feasible solution" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actual situation

Focuses on the existing circumstances, emphasizing the current state of affairs.

real-world scenario

Highlights the context as it exists in the observable world.

feasible solution

Emphasizes the achievability and workability of a proposed plan or idea.

workable proposition

Suggests an idea that can be successfully implemented.

pragmatic approach

Highlights the practical and realistic way of dealing with situations.

down-to-earth consideration

Emphasizes the importance of being realistic and avoiding overly optimistic or idealistic views.

matter of fact

Stresses the unbiased and objective truth of a situation.

hard facts

Focuses on indisputable truths and concrete evidence.

realistic expectation

Stresses the importance of having expectations grounded in what is achievable.

tangible application

Highlights the ability to be put to use in a concrete and measurable way.

FAQs

How can I use "practical reality" in a sentence?

You can use "practical reality" to describe the actual circumstances of a situation, as opposed to theoretical possibilities. For instance, "The plan looks good on paper, but the "actual situation" is far more complex.".

What phrases are similar to "practical reality"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""actual situation"", "real-world scenario", or "feasible solution", each emphasizing different aspects of practicality and realism.

Is "practical reality" the same as "ideal scenario"?

No, "practical reality" focuses on what is achievable and realistic given current constraints, while "ideal scenario" describes a perfect, often unattainable situation. They are essentially opposites.

When should I use "realistic expectation" instead of "practical reality"?

Use "realistic expectation" when discussing anticipating the outcome of a situation, focusing on what is likely to happen. Use "practical reality" when describing the present circumstances.