practicality

USAGE SUMMARY

"practicality" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun that refers to the quality or state of being practical. For example, "John's decision to move closer to work was based on practicality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But beyond the practicality of missing documents, their greatest hurdle is the perception that what is born in a slum is destined to stay in a slum.

The Guardian

The issue of ID cards is a little different, because I think there are very good reasons of practicality why, in today's world, people should be able to protect their identity from fraud or abuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The specifics were very much what's the point, what would it be for them, would it be financially viable, essentially all of those sorts of issues, the practicality and financial affordability, and viability and the purpose," Pringle said.

The Guardian

Piketty talks about the importance of international taxation, which raises real questions about practicality.

The Guardian

He casts his history of bipartisan negotiation as a form of steamrolling practicality, and many of his actual policies, save regarding gun control, fit comfortably within the far right framework.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Tories have not seen the inside of Downing Street since 1997; practicality counselled firms to back the winning horse.

The Economist

These would allow goods manufactured in the border areas with input from communities on both sides to be exempt from American import tariffs.It is a nice idea, though of doubtful practicality right now.

The Economist

In the South, people didn't want hamburgers but rather more control over their own lives.What do you think dictated the decision to choose one approach over the other?It's purely a question of practicality.

The Economist

So the main task would probably fall to America, France and Britain, the only powers with ships nearby and able to act quickly in defiance of the generals.As for the practicality of any action, that too is fraught.

The Economist

The lights are dimming, but green targets are an argument against new coal plants, security-of-supply concerns make gas dicey, lack of time rules out nuclear, and worries about practicality dog renewables.The situation is so bad that many former fans are openly questioning Britain's hands-off approach to energy, which it has spent the past decade trying to export, particularly to Europe.

The Economist

The deputy prime minister, John Prescott, is in favour in principle, but he is said to have doubts about the practicality and the timing.In this section Can things only get worse?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating proposals or plans, consider "practicality" early in the decision-making process to ensure resources are used efficiently and goals are attainable.

Common error

Avoid prioritizing short-term "practicality" at the expense of long-term sustainability or ethical considerations. Ensure immediate gains do not lead to future complications or regrets.

Linguistic Context

The word "practicality" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the state or quality of being practical. Ludwig provides examples where it is used to discuss the feasibility and real-world application of ideas or decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practicality" is a noun denoting the quality of being practical and feasible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. The term appears most often in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, and it serves the purpose of evaluating the real-world application and effectiveness of ideas and plans. When using "practicality", be sure to consider its potential trade-offs with other values like ethics or long-term sustainability, and consider the overall context of the decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feasibility

Emphasizes the possibility of something being done successfully.

usefulness

Highlights the quality of being beneficial in a practical way.

workability

Focuses on the capacity of something to function effectively.

viability

Indicates the ability of something to survive or function successfully.

expediency

Suggests convenience and practicality, sometimes at the expense of principle.

pragmatism

Refers to a practical approach to problems and affairs.

applicability

Highlights the relevance and suitability of something for a particular purpose.

serviceability

Emphasizes the condition of being fit for use or service.

operability

Focuses on the ability to be used or operated.

effectuality

Highlights the power to produce a desired effect or result.

FAQs

How can I use "practicality" in a sentence?

"Practicality" is used to describe the quality of being realistic and sensible. For example, "The decision was based on practicality rather than emotion."

What is a synonym for "practicality"?

Synonyms for "practicality" include "feasibility", "usefulness", and "workability". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How does "practicality" differ from "theory"?

"Practicality" refers to the real-world application and feasibility of something, while "theory" is a set of ideas or principles intended to explain something. "Practicality" focuses on what works in practice, whereas theory explains why it should work.

Is "practicality" always the best approach?

While "practicality" is often valuable, it should be balanced with other considerations such as ethics, innovation, and long-term goals. Overemphasizing "practicality" can sometimes lead to missed opportunities or compromises in quality.