practically anybody

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically anybody" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a statement applies to almost all people without being specific. Example: "With the right training, practically anybody can learn to play the guitar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Practically anybody would play you dirt for a nickel.

The New Yorker

Being a very agreeable person, however, she went on dates with practically anybody who asked.

The New Yorker

Coming from an author — or practically anybody else, for that matter — these would be admirable sentiments.

The New Yorker

Practically anybody would agree with this summary, and practically anybody could have made it, though in less stately language: Teenagers are disobedient, group-minded, and unrealistic.

The New Yorker

Coming from an author or practically anybody else, for that matter these would be admirable sentiments.

The New Yorker

Walters described her effective interview style in How to Talk with Practically Anybody About Practically Anything (1970).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

As she demonstrates time and again in this book, she can write an entertaining riff about practically anything or anybody.

The New York Times - Books

The Mayor has been warning people not to go out in their cars, because if the car stalls of they have an accident there's practically no way anybody can...help them.

The New Yorker

It's the shape of these songs rather than melody or emotion that commands the attention in a quiet way, and they do so best when at their most adventurous, as with the practically proggy 'Is There Anybody Out There', played for the first time live tonight, but less so on the more run-of-the-mill love soul of 'Let Me Fall'.

Independent

Where's the delight in watching the Defiant One, who never needed anybody's advice, suddenly afraid of his own shadow, practically holding down his hands so he wouldn't seem too emotional?

The New York Times

Sweat covering his face, he practically roared his final words, among the most eerily prescient in American oratory: Like anybody, I would like to live a long life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "practically anybody" with "almost anyone" or "nearly everyone" to add variety to your writing while retaining similar meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "practically anybody" when the statement truly applies to everyone. Using phrases like "everyone" or "all people" are more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically anybody" functions as a determiner, modifying a noun to indicate a broad, inclusive group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically anybody" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively communicates that a statement applies to nearly all people. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While it maintains a generally neutral tone, it fits well in diverse contexts like news, encyclopedias, and scientific discussions. For more formal or informal alternatives, consider options like "virtually everyone" or "just about anyone", respectively. Remember to use it accurately, avoiding overgeneralization when "everyone" or "all people" would be more precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost anyone

Replaces "practically" with "almost", emphasizing near-universality.

nearly everyone

Shifts from "anybody" to "everyone", suggesting a higher degree of inclusiveness.

virtually everyone

Uses "virtually" to convey that the statement applies to almost all people in a given context.

just about anyone

Adds "just about" for a more colloquial and slightly less formal tone.

pretty much anyone

Similar to "just about anyone", this offers a casual alternative with the same core meaning.

most people

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the majority rather than near-totality.

the vast majority of people

Highlights the extensive proportion of people to which the statement applies.

a large number of people

Indicates a significant quantity without necessarily implying near-universality.

an overwhelming number of people

Emphasizes the strong numerical presence of people affected by something.

the average person

Shifts focus to a typical individual, implying commonality.

FAQs

What does "practically anybody" mean?

The phrase "practically anybody" means almost anyone. It indicates that something is true for or applies to nearly all people.

When is it appropriate to use "practically anybody" in a sentence?

Use "practically anybody" when you want to convey that something applies to a very large majority of people but not necessarily absolutely everyone. It implies a high degree of inclusiveness.

What can I say instead of "practically anybody"?

You can use alternatives like "almost anyone", "nearly everyone", or "just about anyone" depending on the context.

Is "practically anybody" formal or informal?

"Practically anybody" sits in a neutral register, suitable for most contexts. While not overly formal, it's acceptable in professional and academic writing. For highly formal situations, consider "virtually everyone".