practically as if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically as if" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that something is almost equivalent to another situation or condition, often implying a strong resemblance or similarity. Example: "The weather was practically as if we were in the middle of a snowstorm, even though it was only November."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

One recent afternoon, he stood in the small control room beneath the old fort where two men with joysticks scanned close-up views of the hillsides several miles away, practically as if they could reach out and touch them.

The New York Times

Then, only a few short days later, your hair is back to its usual dry/frizzy/oily/flat/unmanageable self, and by the time your next appointment rolls around it's practically as if you've never set foot in a hairdresser's your entire life.

Huffington Post

Just believe what the bible says, and accept what it says practically, as if what it says is exactly what it means.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The result, then, is practically as satisfactory as if the astragalo-scaphoid joint were also ankylosed, and there is, in addition, slightly more flexibility of the foot.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

(If not downright scary!) Practically as long as man has been making machines, we've been worried that they'll evolve and one day take over everything.

Vice

She was old, practically as old as Bertie.

The New Yorker

Practically as good as gold.

Huffington Post

And voilà, our towel is practically as good as new!

Huffington Post

The building was obviously hundreds of years old; it practically felt as if it were alive, and I felt a chill as the congregation began singing the familiar words of the Kyrie eleison, an important prayer in Eastern Christian liturgy.

The New York Times - Travel

The mud ripples are very wide and not very high; as they are compacted and the mud becomes rock, they end up appearing practically flat, as if the particles settled out of still water.

The New York Times - Science

Abolition happened, but we're practically continuing as if we were slaves today.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically as if" to highlight a strong resemblance or near equivalence between two situations. This can add emphasis and vividness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "practically as if" when the similarity is weak or tenuous. Ensure the comparison is genuine and adds meaningful context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically as if" functions as a qualifier, modifying a comparison to suggest a high degree of similarity. It implies that something is so close to being something else that it is almost indistinguishable. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "practically as if" is used to express a strong similarity or near equivalence between two things or situations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in various writing contexts, including news, science, and general content. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear and adds value to your writing. Alternatives such as "almost as though" and "virtually as if" can be used to achieve a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost as though

Indicates a slightly weaker degree of similarity than "practically as if".

virtually as if

Emphasizes the similarity is very close to being real, but not quite.

nearly as if

Suggests the comparison is close, but not exact.

tantamount to

Implies equivalence in effect or value.

akin to

Indicates a resemblance or similarity in nature or quality.

much like

Presents a comparison with a focus on likeness.

effectively as if

Highlights the functional equivalence despite possible differences.

in effect as if

Stresses the practical outcome is similar.

for all intents and purposes

Indicates a situation should be treated as if it were something else.

as good as

Implies a similar result or quality despite differences.

FAQs

What does "practically as if" mean?

The phrase "practically as if" suggests that something is very similar to another thing or situation, almost to the point of being indistinguishable.

How can I use "practically as if" in a sentence?

You can use "practically as if" to draw a comparison between two scenarios. For example: "The room was so quiet it felt "almost as if" time had stopped".

Are there alternatives to "practically as if"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "almost as though", "virtually as if", or "nearly as if" depending on the context.

Is "practically as if" formal or informal?

The phrase "practically as if" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, making it a versatile choice for various contexts.