practical use

USAGE SUMMARY

"practical use" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an application of an idea or concept that is beneficial or useful. For example, "The invention of the car had a practical use in transportation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other poets set out to teach us things that may be of more practical use.

The Guardian - Books

The practical use comes later.

The New York Times

What practical use would they be anyway?

The Economist

And most objects have a practical use.

The New York Times - Arts

Thulium has little practical use beyond research.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it could have practical use.

The New York Times

The practical use comes first, theory second.

The New York Times - Science

were considered for practical use.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

practical use, but it's worth noting.

Yale University

Recommendations helpful for practical use are given.

Chemical Engineering Science

Finally, recommendations for practical use are given.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing innovations or inventions, clearly articulate the "practical use" to demonstrate their value and relevance. This helps the audience understand the tangible benefits.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the "practical use" of something that is still theoretical or unproven. Clearly differentiate between potential benefits and demonstrated applications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practical use" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies the real-world applicability or utility of an idea, concept, or object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

24%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practical use" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes the real-world applicability or utility of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various domains, including news, science, and academia. When writing about innovations or inventions, emphasizing the "practical use" helps convey their value and relevance. Be sure to avoid exaggerating hypothetical benefits and differentiate between potential and demonstrated applications. Alternatives like "real-world application" or "functional purpose" can provide nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

real-world application

Focuses on the application of something in actual situations rather than its theoretical value.

functional purpose

Emphasizes the purpose or function that something serves, highlighting its usefulness.

applied value

Highlights the value or worth that something has when it is put into practice.

working application

Indicates that something is not only applicable but also actively being used or implemented.

utilitarian function

Stresses the usefulness and practicality of something, often in a straightforward manner.

tangible benefit

Highlights the concrete and measurable advantages that something provides.

serviceable employment

Emphasizes the ability of something to be readily used and provide a useful service.

effective utilization

Focuses on how well something is being used or how effectively it is being put to work.

pragmatic application

Highlights the practical and realistic nature of applying something in a given situation.

operational utility

Emphasizes the usefulness of something in terms of its ability to be used in operations or processes.

FAQs

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

You can use "practical use" to describe the real-world application or benefit of something. For example, "This technology has a clear "practical use" in medicine".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "practical use"?

Alternatives include "real-world application", "functional purpose", or "applied value". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a practical use" or simply "practical use"?

Both are correct depending on the context. "Practical use" is generally used to describe the concept in general, while "a practical use" refers to a specific instance or application of that concept.

What's the difference between "practical use" and "theoretical application"?

"Practical use" refers to how something is actually used in real-world scenarios, whereas "theoretical application" describes how something could be used in theory. The former is about demonstrated utility, the latter about potential utility.