practically ensure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically ensure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey that something is very likely to happen or be true, but not absolutely guaranteed. Example: "The new safety measures will practically ensure that accidents are minimized in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Chip (Chip Garner), who is gay and black, is looking for a boyfriend but has a finicky list of qualifications that practically ensure his quest will be futile.

The New York Times

But a resurgent Newt Gingrich, popular here for his defiant rhetoric and Southern background, could further roil the race for the nomination with a win or two here, just as a convincing victory by Rick Santorum would practically ensure a two-man race with Mr. Romney and no end to what has already been an unremitting primary season.

The New York Times

This can become a direct link to decreased productivity — and often a way to practically ensure a good employee will head to a competitor.

BBC

Nevertheless, they practically ensure that new things, new materials, new content will only have a very marginal space within the curriculum.7 Noting this pernicious (and conservative) aspect is not meant to criticize the genuine ambition to shape high quality curricula.

European Journal of Futures Research

Or, if she really wanted to stick it to Sarah Palin, Joe Miller and the rest of the clan, she could go out on a political limb, endorse Scott McAdams, and practically ensure a win for him and a whole lot of egg on the faces of Miller and Palin.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They are raising $50 million over the next 12 months, practically ensuring that a premiere will be in New York.

The New York Times - Sports

In Germany, a penalty kick by MIROSLAV KLOSE practically ensures that Kaiserslautern, which is $33 million in debt, will avoid relegation from the Bundesliga.

The New York Times - Sports

The president has also ruled out any semblance of accountability for Bush administration officials responsible for waterboarding, practically ensuring its recurrence.

The Guardian - Opinion

That small difference spoke volumes about the coming season, practically ensuring that it would not be a repeat of the past two, in which Vettel and his Red Bull team dominated and took the series title.

The New York Times

Moreover, by canonizing predecessors a reigning pope elevates the throne he himself occupies and practically ensures that his successor one day will declare him a saint as well — as if sanctity were an award for becoming pope.

The New York Times

In a chapter titled "Convicted at Birth," we meet Rico, a 19-year-old whose deeply unstable, economically disadvantaged upbringing practically ensured, in Wynn's telling, that he would land at Rikers.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "practically ensure", consider the slight reservation it implies. If absolute certainty is intended, stronger phrasing may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "practically ensure" when the outcome is genuinely guaranteed. Reserve it for situations where a high degree of likelihood exists, but a small element of uncertainty remains.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically ensure" functions as a qualifying verb phrase. It modifies the verb "ensure", indicating that the action of ensuring something is done to a high degree but without absolute certainty. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically ensure" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a high probability of a specific result, falling just short of absolute certainty. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a usable and correct construct. It's most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts, and while not exceptionally common, it is consistently employed in reliable sources. When choosing this phrase, consider whether the slight reservation it implies accurately reflects the intended meaning, or whether a stronger term like "virtually guarantee" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually guarantee

Emphasizes the near certainty of an outcome, making it almost a sure thing.

almost guarantee

Indicates a very high probability of something happening, but with a slightly weaker tone.

nearly assure

Suggests a high level of confidence in a particular result.

effectively secure

Focuses on the result of making something safe from failure, but also can be intended as ensuring.

render certain

This phrase is more formal. Implies taking actions that remove almost all doubt.

all but guarantee

States that something is very close to being a certainty.

substantially assure

Emphasizes the significant impact on making something sure.

realistically ensure

Highlights the practical aspects of making an outcome very likely.

for all practical purposes ensure

Similar in meaning and usage, the alternative is slightly more verbose but emphasizes the realistic consequences.

make practically certain

Focuses on the action of rendering something almost inevitable.

FAQs

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

Use "practically ensure" to indicate a high probability or likelihood, but not absolute certainty. For example, "Implementing these measures will "practically ensure" a successful outcome."

What are some alternatives to "practically ensure"?

Alternatives include "virtually guarantee", "almost guarantee", and "nearly assure". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "practically ensure" or "absolutely ensure"?

"Absolutely ensure" implies a complete and unbreakable guarantee. "Practically ensure" suggests a very high degree of certainty, but acknowledges a slight possibility of unexpected factors. Choose based on the true level of certainty.

What is the subtle difference in meaning between "practically ensure" and "effectively guarantee"?

"Effectively guarantee" focuses on the result – the guarantee is, in effect, achieved. "Practically ensure" focuses on the action taken to make it highly likely. They are similar, but the emphasis differs.