practically able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is almost or nearly capable of doing something, often implying a slight limitation or condition. Example: "With a little more practice, she will be practically able to play the piano flawlessly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Observers were practically able to document the exact date the disease appeared, he said.

The New York Times

Because of this, the third receiver was not practically able to predict which of the two possible locations was the correct one.

Cornell University

In some way, Einstein was practically able to resign from the human race and to see things as gods or devils see them.

The New Yorker

The balance between men and women in the movement and the kind of actions they are practically able to join nevertheless remains an issue.

The Guardian

At the time the fifth V.C. entered the caves, he said, the patrol had long ago left the vicinity of the curiously shaped rock formation, and had descended so deep into the valley that the men were practically able to touch the thick, rough outer walls of the caves.

The New Yorker

The project is audited by scientific, academic and technical agencies that evaluate its environmental and socio-economic impact, and is scrutinized by local protectionist NGOs that are practically able to stop the activity if they consider that guanacos are not properly managed.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

You should practically be able to pick up your back foot and be in balance as you finish.

The New York Times

Practically, being able to do so may help decision makers to gauge the true opinions or concerns on the ground.

Expert Systems with Applications

Not every firm will practically be able to be this engineering-driven, but the example is instructive.

Forbes

Unfortunately, having the information to encode a human being and practically being able to construct a living being out of a raw set of particles are two entirely different matters.

Forbes

We found herein (see also [ 18, 45]) that at 0°C the nonenergized winter LLM were practically not able to accumulate Cs+ in the absence of Val in the assay medium.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "practically able to", ensure the context clearly indicates the slight limitation or condition that prevents complete ability. It's important that the reader understands that the ability is near, but not fully achieved.

Common error

Avoid using "practically able to" when the ability is entirely absent. The phrase implies a high degree of readiness or capability, not a mere aspiration. Using it inaccurately can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically able to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a verb. It describes a state of near-capability, suggesting that someone or something is close to being able to perform a particular action. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is correct and conveys a sense of near or approximate ability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "practically able to" is used to express a near-capability or approximate ability. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. It appears most frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts, as exemplified by the varied sources provided. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to use the phrase where there's a demonstrable degree of readiness. Related phrases like "virtually capable of" or "almost in a position to" can serve as alternatives to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually capable of

Replaces "practically" with "virtually", emphasizing the nearness to being capable, but maintains the core meaning.

almost in a position to

Shifts the focus to the state or condition, rather than direct ability, suggesting a slight distance from full capability.

nearly equipped to

Highlights the readiness or resources available, implying a small remaining gap in preparedness.

tantamount to being able to

Uses a more formal tone, suggesting the situation is equivalent to having the ability, but with a subtle difference.

effectively competent to

Emphasizes the competence aspect, suggesting the ability is there in effect, even if not fully realized.

realistically in a state to

Adds a sense of realism, suggesting the possibility of doing something is credible.

for all intents and purposes, capable of

Introduces a legal or formal framing, meaning the capability is considered to be present, even if not technically so.

on the verge of being able to

Suggests a future fulfillment. Indicates being close to achieving the ability to do something.

approaching the capacity to

Focuses on reaching a certain level of capacity, pointing toward a gradual increase in aptitude.

close to being in a position to

Highlights the nearness of reaching the condition, suggesting a small remaining gap to achieve.

FAQs

How can I use "practically able to" in a sentence?

Use "practically able to" to indicate a near or approximate ability, suggesting that someone or something is almost, but not quite, capable. For example: "With a little more training, she'll be "virtually capable of" performing the surgery flawlessly."

What can I say instead of "practically able to"?

You can use alternatives like "virtually capable of", "almost in a position to", or "nearly equipped to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "practically able to"?

Yes, "practically able to" is a correct and usable phrase in English. It suggests that someone is close to being able to do something, though perhaps not fully or completely.

What's the difference between "practically able to" and "completely able to"?

"Practically able to" implies a slight limitation or condition preventing full ability, whereas "completely able to" indicates full and unrestricted capability. "Practically able to" suggests they are "almost in a position to" do it, but not quite.