practically impractical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'practically impractical' is a valid expression in written English.
It is used to describe something that is close to being impractical but not quite. For example, you could say "The new policy is practically impractical; it takes too much time and effort to implement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I think the [agency] is asking for such a burden of proof tying climate change to species persistence that it would be practically impractical to meet for most species," said Carlos Carroll, a conservation biologist with the Klamath Center for Conservation Research in Orleans, California, and the president of the Society for Conservation Biology's North America section.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Just as clearly, however, regulatory authorities cannot require a purely empirical estimate of it, as this would entail studying all practically realizable dosage regimens in all possible clinical circumstances, a manifestly impractical task.

International Congress Series

More practically, the wireless ultrasound devices complement standard radio transmission using electromagnetic waves in areas where radio is impractical, such as underwater, but with far greater fidelity than current ultrasound or sonar devices.

University of California, Berkeley

These consistent outcomes suggest that the most practically important features of β-resorcylic acid crystallization under ambient conditions have been established; however, it appears impractical to guarantee that no additional metastable solid-state form could be found.

Crystal Growth & Design

Also, impractical.

The Economist

Too impractical.

Yale University

2) Impractical.

The Guardian

"Practically anyone, practically anything".

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

It is impractical".

The New York Times - Sports

Good, perhaps, but impractical.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically impractical" to describe scenarios where the burden or difficulty is so high it almost negates the possibility of success. For example, "The requirements for funding were practically impractical, deterring many applicants."

Common error

While grammatically sound, "practically impractical" leans towards formal and analytical writing. Overusing it in casual conversation or informal writing can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "almost impossible" or "very difficult" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically impractical" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its feasibility. As Ludwig AI indicates, it emphasizes that something is so close to being impossible that it's almost unachievable. It adds a nuanced layer highlighting the extreme difficulty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically impractical" is a grammatically sound but uncommon phrase used to describe situations bordering on impossibility. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid, although it is more appropriate in analytical and professional writing. Its primary function is to express a high degree of difficulty, and it is often found in contexts related to science, news, and academia. While alternative phrases like "almost impossible" or "nearly unachievable" may be simpler, "practically impractical" offers a nuanced way to emphasize the severe limitations or burdens that make something exceedingly challenging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost unworkable

Emphasizes the difficulty in implementation, suggesting it's nearly impossible to make it work.

virtually impossible

Highlights the extreme difficulty, bordering on impossibility.

nearly unachievable

Focuses on the low probability of accomplishing the task or goal.

effectively infeasible

Stresses that, in effect, it cannot be done due to practical constraints.

tantamount to impossible

Indicates that the situation is nearly the same as being impossible.

as good as impossible

Colloquial way of saying something is almost impossible.

borderline impractical

Highlights that something is very close to the point of being impractical.

verging on unfeasible

Similar to borderline, but more formal.

approaching impossibility

Focuses on the progression towards being impossible.

nearing unfeasibility

Indicates that the situation is close to becoming unfeasible.

FAQs

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

You can use "practically impractical" to describe a situation that is so close to being impractical that it is almost impossible to achieve. For example, "The proposed solution was "practically impractical" due to the limited resources available".

What's a simpler way to say "practically impractical"?

Alternatives to "practically impractical" include "almost impossible", "nearly unachievable", or "virtually impossible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "practically impractical" redundant?

While "practically impractical" might seem redundant at first glance, it emphasizes the degree to which something approaches being truly impractical. It suggests a situation where the feasibility is so low that it's on the verge of being unachievable, but not quite there.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "practically impractical"?

"Practically impractical" is best used in formal or analytical contexts where you want to highlight the near impossibility of a task or situation. It's often found in scientific, academic, or professional writing.