practically different from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically different from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that two things are almost but not entirely different in nature or characteristics. Example: "The two models are practically different from each other in terms of performance, despite having similar designs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Thus, it is easily imagined that DEA applied to energy and environment, as discussed here, is conceptually and practically different from a conventional use of DEA.

Journal of Economic Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The heart disease group's valuation of the 'all-worst' state was not statistically and practically significantly different from their valuation of the 'dead' state (difference = −2.3, p-value = 0.370).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

And while the current 99-year lease is not, practically, very different from an outright purchase, "psychologically, people want to own freehold, not leasehold," Mr. Hunter said.

The New York Times

Our study demonstrates that CM and HFEM are practically the same, and that LFEM is different from HFEM and CM.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Or how their tolerance level for ideas that are different from their own is practically non-existent, making them argumentative and easily angered?

Huffington Post

In their final analysis the trajectories are practically linear as the age square coefficient is no different from zero.

Aging and Mental Health

That "everything" includes God the Father, even if he is morally perfect, immortal, and otherwise so different from humans in degree as to be practically inscrutable.

The New York Times

He's skeptical of the 1970s parallels, arguing that the current run-up in oil prices is very different from the one back then, when crude surged practically overnight.

The New York Times

"Different from mine.

The New Yorker

Make it "different from".

The New York Times

How different from today.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "practically different from", ensure the context clarifies the specific aspect of difference. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "practically different from" when the items are only superficially dissimilar. The phrase implies a significant functional or impactful divergence, so reserve it for scenarios where the distinction truly matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically different from" functions as a qualifying descriptor, indicating that while things might appear similar, they diverge in a meaningful, impactful way. It's frequently used to emphasize functional or operational distinctions, as Ludwig shows.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practically different from" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signals a meaningful distinction between seemingly similar entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a noteworthy divergence in function or outcome. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is utilized across diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. To ensure correct usage, consider whether the differences truly impact practical application. Alternatives such as "virtually distinct from" or "effectively dissimilar to" may offer nuanced expressions of similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually distinct from

Suggests the difference is so close to being complete it is as though the two things are separate. This alternative emphasizes the almost complete divergence.

almost unlike

Highlights that two things share few similarities. This version emphasizes the scarcity of resemblances.

effectively dissimilar to

Implies that, despite any superficial similarities, the two things operate or are perceived in fundamentally different ways. Focuses on functional divergence.

functionally divergent from

Highlights the operational or functional discrepancies between the two, even if they appear similar. Centers on operational differences.

tantamount to a different

Emphasizes near equivalence to something else. This phrasing suggests the differences are so substantial it's nearly another thing altogether.

in effect, not the same as

Highlights the practical result of the differences, which leads to a different outcome. This version focuses on the effective dissimilarity.

for all practical purposes, another

Acknowledges there could be technical similarities, but these are negligible. The emphasis is on real-world application over theoretical alignment.

bears little resemblance to

Underlines a lack of visual or superficial similarities. This alternative stresses minimal surface-level matches.

scarcely comparable with

Suggests any comparison is strained because the differences are extensive. Focuses on the difficulty of comparison.

hardly analogous to

Indicates that the relationship is not parallel. This phrasing highlights the lack of analogy or correspondence.

FAQs

How can I use "practically different from" in a sentence?

You can use "practically different from" to show that two things, while possibly sharing some similarities, function or manifest in notably distinct ways. For instance, "While the two software programs share a similar interface, their underlying algorithms make them "practically different from" each other in terms of performance".

What's a good alternative to "practically different from"?

Alternatives include phrases like "virtually distinct from", "effectively dissimilar to", or "functionally divergent from", each highlighting different aspects of the distinction.

Is "practically different from" the same as "completely different from"?

No, "practically different from" suggests a significant but not absolute difference. "Completely different from" implies no overlap or similarity whatsoever, while "practically different from" acknowledges some similarities but highlights important distinctions.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "practically different from"?

This phrase is suitable when discussing technical specifications, comparing methodologies, or analyzing systems where seemingly minor differences lead to divergent outcomes. It's useful in scenarios where the impact or functionality varies significantly despite surface-level similarities.