practically imminent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically imminent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that is very likely to happen soon, almost to the point of being unavoidable. Example: "With the storm clouds gathering, a downpour seems practically imminent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

When the European Union stepped in this spring with a 750 billion rescue package to back Europe's weaker economies, the threat of imminent default practically disappeared.

The New York Times

The rains being imminent, we are practically the only guests here.

Forbes

To regulars who practically lived at Latent Image, this imminent shuttering marks the end of an era.

The New York Times

"The opposition, practically from the outset of Chávez's presidency over 10 years ago, has been claiming that dictatorial rule is imminent," said Steve Ellner, a political scientist at Oriente University in eastern Venezuela.

The New York Times

Practically, that approach is unsatisfactory since it means palliative care services are by definition not introduced until death is imminent.

BMC Palliative Care

"Practically anyone, practically anything".

The New York Times

Practically organic, practically vegan..."....

The New Yorker

Practically organic, practically vegan...".

The New Yorker

The bombing in Boston occurred practically simultaneously to the discovery of the gun, stirring fears that the two episodes were connected and that an attack in New York was imminent.

The New York Times

— than practically.

The New York Times

Practically nothing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically imminent" to convey a strong sense of near certainty, but acknowledge that a slight possibility of the event not occurring still exists. For example, "With the final votes tallied, his victory was practically imminent."

Common error

Avoid using "practically imminent" when the event is merely likely but not almost certain. Using it in a situation with significant uncertainty weakens the impact of the phrase. For example, stating "With a slight lead in early polls, their victory was practically imminent" is an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically imminent" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It suggests that something is not just likely to happen soon, but its occurrence is nearly guaranteed. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical structure is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "practically imminent" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe an event that is almost certain to occur. While the phrase is relatively rare, Ludwig AI confirms it's appropriate for use in news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the event truly is very likely and avoid overstating certainty. Related phrases like "virtually certain" or "almost inevitable" can serve as alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

All but inevitable

Highlights the extremely high probability of the event.

Virtually certain to occur

Emphasizes the high degree of probability of the event happening.

Effectively impending

Implies that, for all practical purposes, the event is looming.

Almost about to happen

Highlights the temporal aspect, focusing on the short time until the event.

Realistically forthcoming

Indicates that given the circumstances, the event is likely to come about.

Nearly on the verge of occurring

Suggests the event is at a critical threshold before happening.

For all intents and purposes, nearing

Similar to 'effectively', suggesting the outcome is a foregone conclusion.

Close to materializing

Emphasizes the event becoming a tangible reality.

On the immediate horizon

Uses a visual metaphor to indicate nearness in time.

On the brink of unfolding

Suggests that an event is at its starting point.

FAQs

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

Use "practically imminent" to describe an event that is almost certain to happen very soon. For example, "With the hurricane approaching, a state of emergency was practically imminent".

What are some alternatives to "practically imminent"?

You can use alternatives such as "virtually certain", "almost inevitable", or "nearly certain" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very imminent"?

Yes, "imminent" already implies that something is about to happen, so adding "very" is typically redundant. Using "practically imminent" emphasizes the high degree of certainty.

What's the difference between "imminent" and "practically imminent"?

"Imminent" means something is about to happen. "Practically imminent" suggests a higher degree of certainty; it's not just about to happen, it's almost guaranteed to happen.