practically said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically said" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when you want to convey that something was almost or nearly stated in a certain way, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "He practically said he was going to quit his job during the meeting."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He practically said, "You are dead to me".

The New York Times

"You looked at him like he was God, practically," said Charlie Hall, a Danbury parishioner who lives in a shelter.

The New York Times

"We're neighbors, practically," said Mr. Liebowitz who often drops off materials at Mrs. Ardino's home.

The New York Times

"You could go anyplace in the country with this, practically," said Dr. Powell, who is 67.

The New York Times

"We can't talk about what it's going to look like, because that process goes on for another two years, practically," said Marvin Levy, Mr. Spielberg's longtime spokesman.

The New York Times

Evelyn Mazzocco, head of Mattel's Barbie division, practically said as much: "The millennial mom is a small part of our consumer base, but we recognize she's the future".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"On Sunday nights, the kids practically say: 'Bye Daddy.

The New York Times

A defeat was practically saying goodbye to the league but a draw means that this will go to the final day".

The Guardian - Sport

Something does need to be said about a singing contest with dubious standards being more popular than the glorious athleticism on display in Turin — but it practically says itself.

The New Yorker

She contended that in Hard Choices, Clinton was "practically saying what was going to happen in Honduras.

Huffington Post

You're practically saying" Hey,come read my diary!".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically said" when you want to convey that someone strongly implied something without explicitly stating it. This can be useful when analyzing subtext or unspoken intentions.

Common error

Avoid using "practically said" excessively, as it can become repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "almost stated" or "virtually expressed" to vary your language and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically said" functions as a verb phrase that describes an action of implying or suggesting something strongly without explicitly stating it. Ludwig's examples show it used in news and media to interpret someone's words or actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically said" is a verb phrase used to indicate that someone implied something strongly without stating it explicitly. Ludwig AI classifies the phrase as acceptable. While not incorrect, the phrase is not the most common and appears mostly in news and media contexts. Consider alternatives such as "almost stated" or "virtually expressed" for varied writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the speaker's intended meaning and doesn't lead to misinterpretation. It is key to consider the specific register to avoid being out of place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost stated

Emphasizes the nearness of a direct statement.

virtually expressed

Highlights that the expression was not direct, but strongly implied.

essentially conveyed

Focuses on the core message that was communicated, even if indirectly.

nearly articulated

Suggests the idea was close to being fully expressed in words.

implied as much

Indicates an indirect suggestion of a particular fact or opinion.

suggested strongly

Emphasizes the strength of the implication without direct statement.

all but declared

Conveys that the declaration was only missing the final, explicit statement.

tantamount to saying

Shows how the action or words are equivalent to a particular statement.

amounted to stating

Highlights the overall effect was equivalent to a formal statement.

indirectly communicated

Focuses on the indirectness of how something was brought to attention.

FAQs

What does "practically said" mean?

The phrase "practically said" means that someone implied or suggested something very strongly, almost to the point of saying it directly, without actually uttering the words. It indicates a strong implication.

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

You can use "practically said" to describe a situation where someone hinted at something without explicitly stating it. For example, "During the negotiation, he "practically said" he would walk away if his demands weren't met".

What are some alternatives to "practically said"?

Alternatives to "practically said" include "almost stated", "virtually expressed", "essentially conveyed", or "implied as much". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "practically said" formal or informal?

"Practically said" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "essentially conveyed" might be preferred in highly formal writing.