practically difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'practically difficult' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to describe something that is hard to do, although not impossible. For example: 'Trying to save enough money to take a year off work is practically difficult, but definitely worth it.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reliable quantification of biochemical products in these overlays is highly challenging and practically difficult.

Talanta

It would have been practically difficult but also "rude" and presumptuous to have done so.

The Guardian - Books

The effort to recover and identify remains has been practically difficult and emotionally intense.

The New York Times

In state space models, parameter learning is practically difficult and is still an open issue.

Journal of Econometrics

However, both are practically difficult to maintain beyond a certain limit.

Energy Conversion and Management

Second, systematic electron microscopy observation is practically difficult because fresh tissues are not always available during forensic autopsies.

Nature

Since the itinerary of the eroded sediment is complicated, estimating watershed erosion during storms is practically difficult.

Journal of Hydrology

The efficiency of our design technique is demonstrated with the practically difficult control of an uncertain flexible structure.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

It is practically difficult to design, implement and manage AIJ projects in Africa without a provision for capacity building.

Renewable Energy

However, it is practically difficult to develop a rolling reduction per pass high enough to obtain the ideal shear deformation texture.

Acta Materialia

Our research shows that this rhetoric is practically difficult for women to manage: they are repeatedly told to reconcile their relationships and not pursue punishment by law.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "practically difficult", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific reasons for the difficulty. Be precise about what makes the task challenging in practice.

Common error

Avoid using "practically difficult" when the situation is genuinely impossible. This phrase implies that the task is hard, but still achievable with enough effort or resources. If something is impossible, choose a stronger phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically difficult" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, describing something as challenging or hard to achieve in real-world applications. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's used to temper expectations or explain limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically difficult" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is challenging to achieve in a real-world setting. Ludwig's AI confirms that the phrase is correct and can be used in written English. It's frequently found in science and news contexts and suggests that while a task isn't impossible, it faces significant hurdles. When using the phrase, it's helpful to specify the reasons for the difficulty to provide clarity. Related phrases like "realistically challenging" and "operationally complex" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Realistically challenging

Focuses on the realistic aspect of the difficulty.

Functionally problematic

Emphasizes the problems from a functional perspective.

Operationally complex

Highlights the complexity involved in operational terms.

Logistically complicated

Stresses the logistical difficulties.

Virtually impossible

Suggests the task is almost impossible in practical terms.

In reality, tough

Emphasizes the difficulty from a real-world point of view.

From a practical standpoint, hard

Highlights the practical perspective of the hardship.

In practical terms, demanding

Focuses on the demanding nature of the task in practice.

Materially troublesome

Highlights the troublesomeness in a material sense.

Pragmatically unfeasible

Emphasizes the unfeasibility from a pragmatic point of view.

FAQs

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

You can use "practically difficult" to describe tasks or situations that are hard to accomplish in reality, such as, "Implementing this solution is "practically difficult" due to resource constraints."

What are some alternatives to "practically difficult"?

Alternatives include "realistically challenging", "operationally complex", or "logistically complicated" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "practically impossible" instead of "practically difficult"?

While related, "practically impossible" suggests a higher degree of difficulty. Use "practically difficult" when something is hard but achievable, and "practically impossible" when it's nearly unachievable.

What makes something "practically difficult" versus theoretically difficult?

"Practically difficult" refers to challenges encountered in real-world application, often due to logistics, resources, or unforeseen circumstances. Theoretically difficult refers to challenges in understanding or designing a solution, even if implementation is straightforward.