practically more than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically more than" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize that something is almost or nearly greater than another thing, but it is better to use clearer expressions. Example: "The new model is practically more than twice as efficient as the old one."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Practically, more than four city light positions are used to determine the parameters with improved accuracy.

Earth, Planets and Space

However even slight PCR amplification efficiency inaccuracy, which is practically more than often confronted due to the fact that amplification efficiencies are estimates by all current method, may distort the results significantly because of exponential nature expressed Equ.6 [ 24].

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Therefore, design of planting configuration is practically more effective than tree species selection in attenuating the ambient PM concentrations in urban settings.

Environmental Pollution

These reductions in sampling effort would make both methods practically more feasible than was the case for the complexly arranged population.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

The miniaturisation of assays into pico to femtoliter compartments (emulsion droplets, vesicles or gel-shell beads) makes directed evolution campaigns practically more straightforward than current large scale industrial screening that requires liquid handling equipment and much manpower.

Current Opinion in Structural Biology

When the puritans sailed into Massachusetts Bay there was practically more cod there than water.

Vice

All of this expense and risk has been executed by a team that has never proven it is wanted by its constituency (if attendance figures are any indication), in a state where there are practically more foreclosed houses than people.

Vice

In the show, their hook-ups are practically more elaborate and sexy than what we saw in 9 1/2 Weeks.

Huffington Post

But looked at practically, as more than an abstract question of individual freedom, holes in the libertarian logic show up.

Independent

The bodies of many older Americans are practically bionic: more than 770,000 hip and knee replacements are performed each year in the United States.

The New York Times - Health

She brings down the house repeatedly by saying practically nothing more than "No," when someone asks if she wants a drink or cigarette or hors d'oeuvre, and "Thank you" when they force it on her anyway.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "practically more than" with stronger, more direct comparatives (e.g., 'significantly exceeds', 'far surpasses') for increased impact and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "practically more than" in highly formal or academic contexts where precision is paramount. Opt for alternatives like "substantially greater than" or "considerably exceeds" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically more than" functions as a comparative modifier, indicating that one thing is almost, but not quite entirely, greater than another. Ludwig shows that this usage, while present, isn't as common as more direct comparatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically more than" is a comparative phrase indicating that something is nearly or almost greater than another. Ludwig identifies it as acceptable but suggests clearer alternatives may exist, depending on context. While appearing in both news/media and scientific sources, it's not particularly formal and should be used judiciously in professional writing. The advice from Ludwig AI warns that overuse should be avoided in formal writing and stronger alternatives could be used to improve the clarity. This phrase expresses a comparative meaning where the difference is substantial but might not be absolute.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost more than

Highlights the approximation to exceeding a certain level.

virtually greater than

Emphasizes that the difference is almost complete or total.

effectively superior to

Focuses on the practical outcome of being better.

in practice, surpassing

Emphasizes that in real-world scenarios it's beyond something

functionally exceeding

Emphasis on exceeding in the functionality realm

in effect, surpassing

Emphasizes the result in a real world sceneraio

realistically exceeding

Highlights that the exceeding goes beyond theoretical values

operationally better than

Describes enhancements in the operational realm

usefully superior to

highlights how something could be beneficial and superior to something else

for all practical purposes, above

Indicates that the quantity is higher when applied to practical situations

FAQs

How can I rephrase "practically more than" for clarity?

For improved clarity, consider alternatives such as "almost greater than", "virtually superior to", or "effectively exceeding", depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "practically more than"?

While not strictly incorrect, "practically more than" can sound awkward. It's often better to opt for more direct and precise language to enhance clarity and professionalism. In some cases "almost more than" could be an alternative.

What's a stronger alternative to "practically more than" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, replace "practically more than" with phrases like "significantly exceeds", "substantially surpasses", or "considerably greater than" to maintain a professional and authoritative tone.

In what situations is "practically more than" appropriate?

"Practically more than" is acceptable in informal contexts where you want to emphasize that something is nearly or almost greater than another. However, it's crucial to ensure the meaning is clear and unambiguous to the reader.