practically inevitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically inevitable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that is almost certain to happen, with very little chance of it not occurring. Example: "Given the current trends in technology, the rise of artificial intelligence in everyday life seems practically inevitable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Overtime is practically inevitable.

The New York Times - Sports

Such an outcome is practically inevitable, however.

The New Yorker

It is not only unoriginal, it is practically inevitable.

Harvard University

Disagreements about what is truly necessary are practically inevitable.

The New York Times

They and Churchill Downs management see a splitting of the race as practically inevitable.

The New Yorker

The decision, he said, "leaves United where I personally think bankruptcy is practically inevitable".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Still, while this may have been a surprise announcement, it's practically the inevitable at this point.

Forbes

IT was inevitable, practically preordained.

The New York Times

"But practically, it was inevitable, if you were going to use 25A/Northern Boulevard as a major artery.

The New York Times

In fact, owning to errors from machining and assembly, thermal deformation and so forth, practically, axial clearance is inevitable in the joint.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

However, longer follow-up periods are practically difficult because of inevitable changes in therapy and procedures in these critically ill patients that could themselves affect the microcirculation and other outcomes.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically inevitable" when you want to convey that an outcome is almost certain based on the circumstances. It suggests a strong likelihood, leaving very little room for doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "practically inevitable" when the outcome still has a reasonable chance of not occurring. Using phrases like "possibly inevitable" or "potentially unavoidable" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically inevitable" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or noun phrase to describe something as almost certain to happen. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a strong likelihood based on the presented circumstances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practically inevitable" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe outcomes that are highly likely, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adjectival phrase and is suitable for neutral contexts like news reporting, academic discussions, and general informative writing. While alternatives such as "almost certain" or "nearly unavoidable" exist, "practically inevitable" offers a specific nuance that emphasizes the strong likelihood of an outcome based on current conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost certain

Focuses more on the certainty of the event, minimizing doubt.

Nearly unavoidable

Highlights the difficulty in preventing the event from happening.

Virtually guaranteed

Emphasizes the assurance or promise-like quality of the outcome.

Highly predictable

Stresses the ease with which the event can be foreseen.

Almost a certainty

Presents the event as a near-definite fact.

Effectively assured

Highlights the degree to which the event is secured or made certain.

For all intents and purposes, inevitable

Emphasizes that in all practical considerations, the event is unavoidable.

As good as certain

Suggests a very strong likelihood, close to absolute certainty.

In all likelihood, inevitable

Focuses on the high probability that the event will occur.

Potentially unavoidable

Suggests something that is likely to happen if the involved factors or actions does not change

FAQs

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

You can use "practically inevitable" to describe outcomes that are highly likely. For example, "Given the lack of funding, the project's failure was practically inevitable."

What are some alternatives to saying "practically inevitable"?

Alternatives include "almost certain", "nearly unavoidable", or "virtually guaranteed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost inevitable" instead of "practically inevitable"?

Yes, "almost inevitable" is a correct and very similar alternative. Both phrases convey a high degree of likelihood, but "practically inevitable" might suggest a stronger basis in observable circumstances.

What's the difference between "practically inevitable" and "theoretically inevitable"?

"Practically inevitable" implies a high likelihood based on current conditions, whereas "theoretically inevitable" suggests inevitability based on a logical or conceptual understanding, even if not immediately apparent in practice.