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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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practically work

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically work" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used informally to suggest that something is almost functional or effective, but it is better to use more precise language. Example: "The new software doesn't fully meet our needs, but it does practically work for basic tasks."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

As a business strategy, prototyping ideas really fast – and throwing away what doesn't practically work – is becoming really important.

News & Media

The Guardian

We study such algorithms and address the questions related to making such an approach theoretically efficient and practically work.

They in fact practically work in independent silos as shown in Fig. 1.

He said he believed it quickly became clear that such a move would "neither legally nor practically" work.

News & Media

BBC

But he said it soon became clear such a move would "neither legally or practically" work and the current plan was now much "closer to managed return".

News & Media

BBC

The developer community then becomes the place where developers establish the detailed credible and tangible artifacts that given technologies practically work in a unique sandbox," said Winey.

News & Media

Forbes
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The piece practically works as a radio play.

"Work for the police and you're practically working for the gangs," he says.

News & Media

Independent

To show how a structural health monitoring (SHM) system practically works.

But Ms. Cherry, also 91, worked for a number of magazines — "I practically worked for most of them," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

This concept practically worked as cosmological axes, such as the cardinal axis of kaja kelod (north south), top down, inside outside, kangin kauh (east west) and right left.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the effectiveness of a process or system, use "practically work" to indicate that it is functional in real-world conditions, even if not perfect. Use this phrase when theoretical models are confirmed in practice.

Common error

Avoid using "practically work" if the subject is purely theoretical or still in development. Ensure there is evidence of real-world application before using this phrase.

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

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically work" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the functionality or effectiveness of something in real-world conditions. It suggests that something is almost fully functional, as mentioned by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practically work" is an acceptable but uncommon expression used to describe the effectiveness of something in real-world scenarios. Ludwig AI indicates that while the phrase is understood, it is not standard in written English and might lead to confusion, suggesting the use of more precise language. Occurring mostly in news and scientific contexts, "practically work" implies real-world applicability and functionality, even if not perfect. Alternatives like "effectively function" or "realistically operate" can offer more clarity and precision depending on the specific context. Despite its acceptable use, writers should consider more direct alternatives to prevent potential ambiguity.

FAQs

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

You can use "practically work" to describe something that functions effectively in real-world scenarios. For example, "The new system doesn't fully meet our needs, but it does "practically work" for basic tasks".

What are some alternatives to "practically work"?

Some alternatives include "effectively function", "realistically operate", or "actually be viable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "practically work" or "effectively work"?

While both can be used, "effectively work" is generally more standard. "Practically work" implies that something functions in a real-world setting, even if not perfectly. If you use "effectively work", it means that something is doing its job as you expected.

What does it mean when something "practically works"?

When something "practically works", it signifies that it is functional and useful in real-world scenarios, even if there are some limitations or imperfections.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: