somewhat impractical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat impractical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not very practical or feasible, but not entirely unworkable. Example: "While the idea is creative, it is somewhat impractical for our current budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

And using about 40 LEDs seems to be somewhat impractical.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Its scarcity and expense make it somewhat impractical for many to use it in this way.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For a family of three this makes the Mini E somewhat impractical; it's for one driver and a single passenger.

The Guardian - Money

Unfortunately, the battery pack's size wipes out the two rear seats, making the Mini E a somewhat impractical two-seater.

The New York Times

Both of the answers are probably somewhat impractical, but I think it would have resulted in a better company.

The New York Times

In addition, little time is available for software development in the short summer season, making centralized computing at the station somewhat impractical.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

This one seems pretty impractical.

The Economist

The kinds of gifts considered in the experiments included things like pens (a high-quality pen that was somewhat heavy and impractical versus an ordinary pen that was easily transportable) or restaurant gift certificates (to a trendy but far-away restaurant, versus an ordinary but close-by restaurant).

University of California, Berkeley

Music alone couldn't yet fill the emptiness I felt, and I was too sheltered a suburban Midwestern adolescent to adequately come to terms with the wild, impractical, somewhat lurid thoughts and desires my brain was generating.

Huffington Post

As the exact molecular signature of CSCs is not known, it seems somewhat blind and impractical in order to find CSCs by screening large numbers of known markers.

BMC Cancer

It appeared impractical and somewhat artificial to split every assessment activity into separate parts.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat impractical", ensure the context clarifies the degree of impracticality. It's best used when an idea or solution has potential but faces considerable challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat impractical" when describing something that is entirely unfeasible. "Completely impractical" or "wholly unrealistic" would be more accurate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat impractical" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or concept, indicating a qualified degree of impracticality. Ludwig AI examples showcase its role in softening the judgment of an idea or plan, suggesting it's not entirely unworkable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat impractical" serves as a qualifier, denoting a degree of unfeasibility without entirely dismissing an idea. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. While grammatically correct and fairly common, it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with the level of impracticality being conveyed. Alternatives like "rather unfeasible" or "a bit unrealistic" can offer similar nuances. Remember to tailor your language to accurately reflect the challenges and potential of the concept you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly impractical

Synonymous replacement of "somewhat" with "fairly".

pretty impractical

Synonymous replacement of "somewhat" with "pretty".

partly impractical

Highlights that the impracticality is not complete, but only partial.

somewhat unrealistic

Similar to "a bit unrealistic", but maintains the "somewhat" modifier.

rather unfeasible

Replaces "impractical" with "unfeasible" to suggest something is not easily or realistically achieved.

not entirely feasible

Indicates that while not impossible, there are significant feasibility issues.

a bit unrealistic

Replaces "impractical" with "unrealistic" to indicate the idea is not grounded in reality.

almost impractical

Highlights that the idea is close to being completely impractical.

slightly unworkable

Emphasizes the difficulties in making the idea function effectively.

moderately unsuitable

Focuses on the lack of suitability for a specific purpose or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat impractical" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat impractical" to describe plans, ideas, or solutions that have some merit but are not entirely feasible in practice. For instance: "While the concept is innovative, it's "somewhat impractical" given the budget constraints".

What can I say instead of "somewhat impractical"?

You can use alternatives like "rather unfeasible", "a bit unrealistic", or "slightly unworkable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "very impractical" instead of "somewhat impractical"?

Yes, "very impractical" is grammatically correct. However, it indicates a higher degree of impracticality than ""somewhat impractical"", which suggests a lesser degree of unfeasibility.

What is the difference between "impractical" and "somewhat impractical"?

"Impractical" suggests that something cannot be done or used easily or successfully, while ""somewhat impractical"" implies that there are obstacles or challenges, but the idea is not entirely impossible.