pragmatic experience

USAGE SUMMARY

"pragmatic experience" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the practical understanding of a subject, gained through experience. For example, "He has decades of pragmatic experience in the field of engineering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The public's verdict is undoubtedly based on pragmatic experience.

Independent

These are projects Jones understands and for which he has considerable pragmatic experience.

The New Yorker

Reidel deserves some of the credit because he came to the review with a clear, skeptical eye and a great deal of pragmatic experience.

The New Yorker

The British conductor Andrea Quinn, who takes over as the music director of the New York City Ballet in August of next year, brings some clear attributes to the job: youth, dynamism, solid musicianship, long involvement with 20th-century music and a wealth of pragmatic experience as the music director of the Royal Ballet in London.

The New York Times - Arts

She may have the backing of those who feel her pragmatic experience and political savvy qualify her for the highest office in the land, but can she summon up Camelot?

Huffington Post

This includes 12 years of an excellent grade school, four years in, preferably, an Ivy League undergraduate college, two to six years of post-graduate work for some extra initials after their name, and then, hopefully, a little pragmatic experience.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I think the Court could use the pragmatic governing experience she has," says Professor Steven Schwinn of John Marshall Law School.

Huffington Post

Much patient safety work tends to be pragmatic and experience-based rather than relying on solid evidence of effectiveness [ 10].

BMC Health Services Research

Rather, much patient safety work tends to be pragmatic and experience-based instead of relying on solid evidence of effectiveness [ 5].

BMC Nursing

Governors say they balance the "inside the Beltway" mentality with pragmatic, problem-solving experience.

The New York Times

Now Mr. Obama has turned to pragmatic liberals with experience in the policy-making bureaucracy — and negotiating with Republicans in Congress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pragmatic experience" to highlight practical, real-world knowledge rather than theoretical understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "pragmatic experience" when describing purely theoretical or academic knowledge; reserve it for situations where practical application is evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pragmatic experience" functions as a noun phrase, where "pragmatic" modifies "experience", emphasizing the practical nature of the experience. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pragmatic experience" is a correct and usable phrase that refers to practical, real-world knowledge gained through experience. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase often used to highlight the value of hands-on skills. While not as common as other phrases, it finds its place primarily in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects practical application rather than mere theoretical understanding. Consider alternatives like "practical know-how" or "real-world expertise" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practical know-how

Emphasizes the practical and applied nature of the knowledge.

real-world expertise

Highlights the expertise gained from actual, real-world situations.

hands-on experience

Focuses on the direct, physical involvement in gaining experience.

applied understanding

Stresses the ability to apply knowledge in practical contexts.

grounded knowledge

Implies that the knowledge is based on solid, practical foundations.

functional proficiency

Highlights the proficiency in performing tasks effectively.

street smarts

An informal term suggesting practical intelligence and experience gained from life's challenges.

seasoned perspective

Implies a perspective gained from substantial and varied experience.

field-tested knowledge

Focuses on the reliability of knowledge proven in real-world situations.

working knowledge

Emphasizes a level of knowledge sufficient for practical application.

FAQs

How can I use "pragmatic experience" in a sentence?

You can use "pragmatic experience" to describe someone's practical understanding gained through real-world application, as in "Her years as a project manager gave her invaluable pragmatic experience in handling complex situations."

What are some alternatives to "pragmatic experience"?

Alternatives include "practical know-how", "real-world expertise", or "hands-on experience", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pragmatic experience" the same as "work experience"?

"Work experience" generally refers to any experience gained in a professional setting, while "pragmatic experience" emphasizes the practical, problem-solving skills acquired. Therefore, "pragmatic experience" is a subset of "work experience" focusing on practical knowledge.

What kind of sources typically refer to "pragmatic experience"?

You'll find "pragmatic experience" referenced in a variety of fields, from science and medicine, focusing on practical applications, to news and media, highlighting the real-world expertise of individuals. It is used less frequently in purely theoretical or academic contexts.