so far as practicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so far as practicable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something should be done to the extent that it is feasible or possible. Example: "We will implement the new policy so far as practicable, considering the available resources and time constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

10 The conspirators should, so far as practicable, be denied future benefits from their forbidden conduct.

Cornell University

So far as practicable, regulations prescribed under this section shall be uniform among the components of each service.

Cornell University

Dyson said Wilkinson's policy, so far as practicable, was to restrict the use of her double rooms to married heterosexual couples.

The Guardian

So far as practicable, these regulations shall be uniform with those prescribed for the armed forces under section 2771(b) of title 10.

Cornell University

The plan shall take into account relevant Federal resources and programs and shall be correlated so far as practicable with other State, regional, and local plans.

Cornell University

"The negroes will be clothed, and in every way provided for, out of their earnings" — about 12.5 cents for each pound of cotton picked — "so far as practicable," he ordered.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The supreme court judgment makes it clear that local authorities have a statutory duty to provide accommodation in their own area "so far as reasonably practicable", reiterating that if it is not reasonably practicable, then there is an obligation to offer accommodation "as close by as possible".

The Guardian

In its judgment, the supreme court stressed that local authorities had a statutory duty to provide accommodation in their own area "so far as reasonably practicable".

The Guardian

The law is already clear that local authorities must secure accommodation within their own borough so far as reasonably practicable, and new rules will reinforce this.

The Guardian

Proceedings on the application must conform, so far as is practicable, to the procedures prescribed in Rule 21 (a) and (b).

Cornell University

The existing legislation requires us so far as reasonably practicable, to secure Section 192 (temporary) accommodation in our borough, particularly for a person who needs to maintain links with specialist services in the area.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or policy documents, follow "so far as practicable" with specific criteria for determining what is considered practicable in a given situation.

Common error

Avoid using "so far as practicable" as a loophole to avoid responsibility. Ensure genuine effort is made to achieve the stated goal before invoking this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so far as practicable" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the extent to which an action or goal is achievable or feasible. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used to qualify obligations or intentions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so far as practicable" is a versatile adverbial phrase that means 'to the extent that something is feasible'. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's commonly used in legal, policy, and operational contexts to qualify obligations and indicate that actions should be taken unless significant obstacles exist. To ensure clarity, define the limiting factors. While frequent across academia, news, and science, one must avoid using the phrase as a loophole and instead make a genuine effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as far as possible

Emphasizes the limit of possibility rather than practicality.

to the extent feasible

Highlights feasibility as the main constraint.

as much as is reasonable

Focuses on the reasonableness of the effort.

wherever feasible

Emphasizes that the action is conditional upon feasibility.

to the degree possible

Focuses on possibility instead of practicality or feasibility.

within reasonable limits

Indicates constraints but highlights the aspect of reasonableness.

as far as circumstances allow

Highlights external conditions as the limiting factor.

subject to practicality

Directly states that practicality is a condition.

as far as it is doable

Uses more informal language to emphasize 'doability'.

if circumstances permit

Emphasizes the permissibility of the action given the current circumstances.

FAQs

What does "so far as practicable" mean?

The phrase "so far as practicable" means to the extent that something is feasible or possible, considering the available resources, time, and other constraints. It implies that an action should be taken unless there are significant obstacles preventing it.

How can I use "so far as practicable" in a sentence?

You can use "so far as practicable" to qualify a statement or obligation. For example: "We will implement the new safety measures "as far as possible", but some adjustments may be needed based on the site conditions."

What are some alternatives to "so far as practicable"?

Alternatives to "so far as practicable" include "as far as possible", "to the extent feasible", "as much as is reasonable", or "wherever feasible", depending on the specific context and emphasis.

Is there a legal implication when using "so far as practicable"?

Yes, in legal contexts, "so far as practicable" often sets a standard for reasonable effort or due diligence. It implies that a party must take all reasonable steps to achieve a particular outcome, but is not required to do the impossible or impractical.