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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
practically like
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "practically like" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is very similar to something else, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The new smartphone design is practically like the previous model, with only minor changes."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Wiki
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
25 human-written examples
If you need to do it practically (like IT) then make another list of doubts (for hands on) and do it after you complete the chapters.
Wiki
"At finance meetings all over the world, she is treated practically like a rock star".
News & Media
He smiles at the fact that his children have turned out so level-headed, they're practically like parents.
News & Media
New York is home to the infamous Rockefeller guidelines, which treated nonviolent drug offenders practically like murderers -- long, mandatory sentences.
News & Media
Going to find one renowned version at Stratta, in Piazza San Carlo, the city's salon (and NBC headquarters for the Olympics), is practically like going into a museum.
News & Media
They eschew "frocks," including those they make, and dress practically like studio artists in gray T-shirts ("Hanes three-pack from Target") and New Balance sneakers.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
33 human-written examples
The Dia show is a career sampler, which means that it lacks the engulfing experience of Ryman shows that present series of closely related works en masse, with a practically chapel-like air of consecration to some mysterious ideal.
News & Media
LIKE practically every other high-end designer, Mr. Maier is currently color-blocking more than a kindergartner on Ritalin.
News & Media
My sense is that, to a growing extent, practically everyone would like to see Greece leave the currency area.
News & Media
More practically, we would like to have the focal nodes as far as possible (in geodesic distance) from each other.
You practically feel like applauding.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "practically like" to emphasize that something is so close to another thing, that for all practical purposes, they can be considered the same. For example, "living in that small town was practically like being in a time capsule."
Common error
Avoid using "practically like" when there are significant differences between the things being compared. The phrase implies a very high degree of similarity, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation.
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "practically like" functions as a prepositional phrase used to draw a comparison, indicating a high degree of similarity between two subjects. It emphasizes that the similarities are so substantial that any differences are negligible in practical terms. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.
Frequent in
News & Media
68%
Wiki
8%
Formal & Business
4%
Less common in
Science
16%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "practically like" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong similarity between two things. According to Ludwig AI, it is perfectly usable in written English. It suggests that, for all practical purposes, the subjects being compared are nearly identical. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase serves to create relatable comparisons and analogies, and Ludwig's examples offer a wide variety of situations in which "practically like" can be used. Be mindful of overstating the degree of similarity; reserve its use for instances where the resemblance is genuinely significant.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
almost identical to
Focuses on the level of resemblance, suggesting a near-perfect match.
virtually the same as
Highlights the functional equivalence despite minor differences.
nearly equivalent to
Emphasizes a close degree of equivalence, though not necessarily identical.
tantamount to
Indicates an equivalent effect or consequence.
akin to
Suggests similarity in nature or quality.
much like
A simpler way to convey similarity, removing the 'practical' aspect.
comparable to
Implies that a comparison can be made, highlighting similar aspects.
similar to
A general term indicating resemblance without emphasizing degree.
resembling
Focuses on the appearance or form being alike.
on a par with
Highlights equal standing or status.
FAQs
What does "practically like" mean?
The phrase "practically like" means something is very similar or almost identical to something else. It implies that the differences are so minor they are negligible.
How can I use "practically like" in a sentence?
You can use "practically like" to compare two things that share many similarities. For example, "The new model is "virtually the same as" the old one" or "Working from home is "almost like" being on vacation".
What are some alternatives to "practically like"?
Alternatives to "practically like" include "almost identical to", "virtually the same as", or "nearly equivalent to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is it better to use "practically like" or "almost like"?
Both "practically like" and "almost like" are correct, but "practically like" suggests a higher degree of similarity for practical purposes. "Almost like" might be used for a looser comparison.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested