practically close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is very near or almost at a certain point or condition, but not quite there. Example: "The two cities are practically close, making it easy for residents to commute between them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Scattered in between are Arts and Crafts, Sticks and Dutch colonials, whose tiny eighth-acre lots mean that neighbors are practically close enough to touch.

The New York Times

These settlements are a central blockage to the peace process and the very reason that Israel cannot practically close off its borders.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Now it is practically closed.

The New York Times

"But during the war all of these enterprises were practically closed," he said.

The New Yorker

In one ad, a dog is yawning with its eyes practically closed.

The New York Times

On the same day he cashed a check for fifty-one hundred dolland, and previous to that he had cashed one for sixty-five hundred and seventy-five hundre practically closing out his checking account.

The New Yorker

The second, with fans in the first row practically closer than any Giants defender, was a soft lob that bounced off the numerals on Jason Avant's chest.

The New York Times - Sports

The worst offender is Denmark, which is practically closed to foreign entrants, says Friedrich Heinemann, one of the authors of the study.

The Economist

This true openness requires that Microsoft not follow Google's clever but conniving lead with the Android platform, which is technically open, but practically closed.

The Guardian - Tech

The German market, practically closed to Bordeaux wines for a good ten years, was now open — and all the more widely as it included the occupied territories of Western Europe".

The New Yorker

The banks have already seen off proposals for more effective supervision.The new government's other achievement has been to make the rouble look almost stable, chiefly by practically closing down wholesale currency trading between banks.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically close" when you want to indicate that something is very near or almost in a specific state, but not fully there yet. It's suitable when precision isn't crucial but the approximation is important.

Common error

Avoid using "practically close" in highly formal or scientific contexts where precise language is required. Opt for more specific terms like "approximately equal" or "nearly identical" to maintain clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically close" functions as an adverbial modifier, where "practically" modifies the adjective "close". It indicates that something is nearly or almost in a state of being close, without being completely or exactly so. As Ludwig AI explains, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practically close" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe something that is nearly or almost in a state of being close. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. While its frequency is rare, it finds application in news, media, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral register. When aiming for precision, especially in formal or scientific writing, consider more specific alternatives such as "approximately equal" or "nearly identical". The authoritative sources that use the phrase include The New York Times and The New Yorker, and The Economist, solidifying its credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually adjacent

Emphasizes nearness in location with a slightly more formal tone.

almost touching

Highlights physical closeness, implying potential contact.

essentially next door

Highlights the convenience of proximity, often used for locations.

nearly completed

Shifts the focus to the completion of a task or process, rather than physical proximity.

effectively shut

Implies a closure that is almost complete, focusing on the result.

for all intents and purposes near

A more verbose way to express that something is close in a practical sense.

basically finished

Similar to "nearly completed" but with a more informal tone.

approaching completion

Suggests a gradual process of becoming close to finished.

just about to conclude

Focuses on the imminence of ending or finalizing something.

nearing the end

Emphasizes the final stages of a process or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "practically close" in a sentence?

You can use "practically close" to describe proximity or near completion. For example, "The two buildings are "practically close" together" or "The project is "practically close" to being finished".

What are some alternatives to "practically close"?

Some alternatives include "virtually adjacent", "almost touching", or "nearly completed", depending on the context.

Is "practically close" grammatically correct?

Yes, "practically close" is grammatically correct and used to describe something that is very near or almost at a certain condition.

When is it appropriate to use "practically close"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that something is nearly in a specific state, but without needing to be precise. It works well in general descriptions rather than technical reports.