practically uninhabited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically uninhabited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a place that has very few inhabitants or is mostly empty, often in a geographical or environmental context. Example: "The island was practically uninhabited, with only a handful of fishermen visiting occasionally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

They are roadless, waterless & practically uninhabited.

The New Yorker

Logging back into the game recently I was disheartened to see that my server (or copy of the game world) had become a practically uninhabited ghost town.

The New York Times - Arts

In the valleys between the mountains and again on the northern slopes of the Western Carpathians, the population density is heavy, whereas, close by, practically uninhabited mountain massifs are to be found.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The area is practically uninhabited, but Samira has lived here all her life.

Vice

The population is concentrated mainly on the coasts, where density can reach 1 024 inhasinants/km2, as in Bahrain, while the desert is practically uninhabited.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The average regional density of 26 ishabitants/km2 is equal to the average density of the continent, but the population is concentrated mainly on the Mediterranean Sea coasts and in the Nile Delta and Nile Valley, where density can reach 1 165 inhabitants/km2, while the desert is practically uninhabited.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Thousands of years ago, cities were a minuscule fraction of Earth's surface; practically all asteroid strikes were guaranteed to occur over virtually uninhabited areas.

Forbes

The islands are uninhabited.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It feels empty, uninhabited.

The New Yorker

His body seemed uninhabited.

The New York Times - Travel

Many are clearly uninhabited.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a location as "practically uninhabited", provide context about why it's sparsely populated, such as environmental factors or historical events. This adds depth and credibility to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "practically uninhabited" if there's a notable permanent population, even if it's small. Instead, use terms like "sparsely populated" or "lightly inhabited" to more accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically uninhabited" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe a place with very few or almost no inhabitants. Ludwig shows that it is used to characterize geographical locations or digital spaces as being nearly empty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "practically uninhabited" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe locations with very few or almost no residents. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While it is not a very common phrase, it is well-understood and can effectively convey the near-absence of human presence. Alternative phrases include "almost deserted" and "nearly unpopulated".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually uninhabited

Similar to the original, but stresses the near-complete absence of residents.

almost deserted

Focuses on the lack of people and potential abandonment.

nearly unpopulated

Highlights the low number of inhabitants.

effectively uninhabited

Highlights the effects of being uninhabited.

largely unpopulated

Focuses on the fact that it is unpopulated in its largest part.

sparsely inhabited

Emphasizes the scattered distribution of a small population.

scarcely populated

Highlights how difficult is to find people in the area.

devoid of inhabitants

Emphasizes the complete lack of residents in a more formal tone.

mostly unpeopled

Underscores the lack of human presence.

almost no one lives there

A more descriptive way to express the limited habitation.

FAQs

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

You can use "practically uninhabited" to describe areas with very few or no residents. For example, "The remote island was "practically uninhabited", with only a small research station present".

What's a good alternative to "practically uninhabited"?

Alternatives include "almost deserted", "nearly unpopulated", or "sparsely inhabited", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'virtually uninhabited' instead of "practically uninhabited"?

Yes, "virtually uninhabited" is a very similar phrase and can often be used interchangeably with "practically uninhabited". Both suggest a near-complete absence of inhabitants.

What distinguishes "practically uninhabited" from simply "uninhabited"?

"Practically uninhabited" implies that there might be a few people present, whereas "uninhabited" suggests there are absolutely no residents at all. The former allows for a very small presence, while the latter does not.