practically next door

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically next door" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a location that is very close to another, often implying that the distance is minimal. Example: "The new coffee shop is practically next door to my apartment, making it easy to grab a cup on my way to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

That sounds far, but it's practically next door in cosmic terms.

The New Yorker

It is across the street from Amazing 66, and practically next door to Big Wong.

The New York Times

The town hall, practically next door to the museum, has two pretty interesting exhibits.

The New York Times

The flat plain of vast Etosha National Park, 8,600 square miles, was practically next door.

The New York Times - Travel

There, practically next door, he proceeded to overtake and replace her as the most famous American writer of all time.

The New York Times

But their biggest and most surprising adversary was practically next door: the local branch of the Michigan Militia.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

It turns out, we have nothing on Zynga, the social gaming juggernaut that is moving practically right next door.

TechCrunch

A young woman next door, practically enslaved by her blind, frightened father, realizes who the son is and tries passionately to persuade him to stay for her sake.

The New York Times

"He was one of the nicest people ever," said Paul Graziano, 39, the latest occupant of the Bruce house, who grew up next door and was practically a member of the family.

The New York Times

This exoplanet is merely 21 light-years away from us, practically a next-door neighbor in astronomical terms. .

Science Magazine

When Brown arrives, he is grabbed, and practically hugged, by a woman who works in the shop next door.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically next door" to clearly indicate that two locations are very close to each other, emphasizing convenience and minimal distance. For example, "The bakery is "practically next door", making it easy to grab a pastry in the morning."

Common error

Avoid using "practically next door" when the locations are merely in the same general area but not truly adjacent. It's misleading to say, "The park is "practically next door"" if it requires a 15-minute drive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically next door" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It specifies the location or proximity of something, indicating it is very close by. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Travel

8%

General Interest

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically next door" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase to describe something very close in proximity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, travel writing, and general interest articles, it effectively conveys convenience and minimal distance. While alternatives like "almost adjacent" or "virtually adjacent" exist, "practically next door" offers a more colloquial and easily understood expression. When writing, ensure the context accurately reflects close adjacency, avoiding its use for locations merely in the same general area. By considering its typical usage and nuanced meaning, you can effectively incorporate "practically next door" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost adjacent

Emphasizes nearness but can imply a slightly less direct connection.

virtually adjacent

Highlights the close proximity, almost as if they share a border.

nearly adjoining

Focuses on the idea of two things touching or being very close.

basically beside

Indicates a simple, straightforward closeness.

essentially contiguous

Highlights that two things are so close they're almost touching or connected.

in close proximity

A more formal way of expressing nearness.

a stone's throw away

Idiomatic expression suggesting a very short distance.

within spitting distance

An informal, somewhat crude way to say something is very close.

a hop, skip, and a jump away

Playful idiom indicating a very short distance.

just around the corner

Implies a nearby location that's easy to reach.

FAQs

How can I use "practically next door" in a sentence?

You can use "practically next door" to describe something that is very close in proximity to something else. For example, "The cafe is "practically next door" to the library."

What phrases are similar to "practically next door"?

Similar phrases include "almost adjacent", "virtually adjacent", or "nearly adjoining". These alternatives emphasize the closeness of two locations.

Is it appropriate to use "practically next door" in formal writing?

While "practically next door" is widely understood, more formal alternatives like "in close proximity" might be preferred in strictly formal contexts, depending on the audience.

What's the difference between "practically next door" and "nearby"?

"Nearby" indicates a general closeness, while "practically next door" implies a very immediate and direct adjacency. "Nearby" suggests it's in the vicinity, while "practically next door" suggests it's almost touching. You can use nearby to say The museum is "close by" and the hospital is "practically next door".