realistic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "realistic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is practical, feasible, or true to life, often in the context of expectations, goals, or representations. Example: "Her expectations for the project were realistic, considering the time and resources available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Opinion

Sport

World

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest".

The Guardian

In a speech setting out the government package to deter so-called benefit tourism, Cameron will say EU migrants can only continue to claim jobseekers allowance if they have been continuously actively seeking work and have a realistic imminent prospect of finding a job.

The Guardian

This powerfully realistic wall painting takes us aback.

The Guardian - Arts

Earle is perhaps a little more realistic on the prospect – at least as far as the weather is concerned.

The Guardian - Music

Nick Hopkinson of Property Portfolio Rescue, which buys houses from distressed buy-to-let borrowers, describes the Nationwide's reported increase as a "statistical blip" which would "not fool anybody who is struggling to sell their home or obtain realistic mortgage finance in the real world".

The Guardian - Business

"We're realistic: we know it is difficult, but we're not here on an excursion," Blanc had said and their presence gave hope of reaching the three-goal target.

The Guardian - Sport

The group have launched a kickstarter to get the project fully funded which will run until the end of February and have started to promote the app in the US with an eerily realistic look alike.

The Guardian

Significant and permanent changes need to occur before quality education for all children can be a realistic goal.

The Guardian

He said that the total cost of foreigners accessing the NHS was thought to be around £2bn, and the fact that Creative Research were saying only £500m could be recovered showed how realistic they were being.

The Guardian

And that's why we've said that while the total cost of treating international visitors is around the £2bn mark, we're being very realistic and saying it's only likely that we're going to be able to recover a quarter of that.

The Guardian

"The aim for United this season was the top four, that was realistic," said Fletcher, who left Old Trafford for Albion in January.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In artistic or literary contexts, employ "realistic" to indicate a portrayal that closely mirrors real-world conditions or experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "realistic" as a generic term for anything that seems 'good' or 'correct'. Consider alternatives like "practical" or "feasible" to more precisely convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "realistic" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that is based on or reflects reality, possibility, or what is likely to happen. Ludwig AI confirms this based on numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Sport

8%

World

5%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "realistic" is a very common term used to describe something that aligns with reality, practicality, or feasibility. As shown by Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using "realistic", ensure it accurately reflects the achievable or true-to-life nature of the subject. Avoid overuse by considering alternatives such as "practical" or "feasible" for nuanced expression. The term is grammatically sound and serves to convey accuracy and practicality across diverse communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practical

Focuses on the feasibility and usefulness of something in a real-world context.

feasible

Highlights the possibility and achievability of something.

pragmatic

Emphasizes a practical and sensible approach to situations.

down-to-earth

Suggests a grounded and sensible perspective.

true-to-life

Focuses on the accurate representation of real-world experiences.

authentic

Implies genuineness and a lack of artificiality.

sensible

Suggests a reasonable and logical approach.

workable

Highlights the ability of something to function effectively.

achievable

Focuses on the attainability of a goal or outcome.

viable

Emphasizes the capacity to succeed or function in a sustainable manner.

FAQs

How can I use "realistic" in a sentence?

You can use "realistic" to describe something that is practical, achievable, or true to life. For example, "Her expectations for the project were realistic." Another example is "The novel offers a realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by immigrants."

What can I say instead of "realistic"?

You can use alternatives like "practical", "feasible", or "down-to-earth" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "realistic expectation" or "real expectation"?

"Realistic expectation" is generally preferred because it implies an expectation based on a reasoned assessment of what is possible. "Real expectation" could be interpreted differently, perhaps referring to a genuine or sincere expectation.

What's the difference between "realistic" and "optimistic"?

"Realistic" suggests an assessment based on facts and possibilities, while "optimistic" implies a hopeful or positive outlook, even if it's not entirely grounded in reality. A "realistic assessment" considers what is achievable, while an optimistic one focuses on the best possible outcome.