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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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practically like

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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.

"At finance meetings all over the world, she is treated practically like a rock star".

News & Media

The New York Times

He smiles at the fact that his children have turned out so level-headed, they're practically like parents.

News & Media

The Guardian

New York is home to the infamous Rockefeller guidelines, which treated nonviolent drug offenders practically like murderers -- long, mandatory sentences.

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.

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.

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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

The New Yorker

LIKE practically every other high-end designer, Mr. Maier is currently color-blocking more than a kindergartner on Ritalin.

News & Media

The New York Times

My sense is that, to a growing extent, practically everyone would like to see Greece leave the currency area.

News & Media

The Economist

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.

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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Common

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.

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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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: