technically yes

USAGE SUMMARY

"technically yes" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something is technically true even though it might not be the desired answer. For example, "Is it safe to wear a mask? Technically yes, but it is still safer to stay at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Technically, yes.

The New York Times

Technically, yes — by logging on.

The Washington Post

"Technically, yes," was the response.

The Guardian

"As a really great skater, technically, yes".

The New York Times - Sports

"But it was his land?" "Technically, yes.

The New Yorker

Well technically, yes, I think he probably has".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Technically speaking, yes, a navy can already use ships at sea as a base for ground operations.

Vice

(Yes, yes, I know, technically, the trials were held in California, but essentially track and field does not exist in the United States until every Summer Games, so I'm counting this event as foreign).

The New York Times - Sports

Yes, it's their building and, yes, technically speaking, Four Seasons works for them.

The New York Times

Technically, no; practically, yes.

The New Yorker

I mean, yes, technically speaking, he has extremely porous, almost translucent skin.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "technically yes" with a clarifying statement to provide context and avoid misinterpretations. For example: "Technically yes, you can use that software, but it's not optimized for your operating system."

Common error

Avoid using "technically yes" as a conversation stopper. Always follow it with an explanation or alternative perspective to prevent ambiguity and ensure your meaning is clear. Without proper context, it can sound dismissive or evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "technically yes" functions as an acknowledgment or agreement, qualified by an implicit or explicit reservation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it concedes a point on a technicality while often implying that the situation is more nuanced or complex. Examples show this qualification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

13%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "technically yes" is a phrase used to express qualified agreement, conceding a point based on a narrow or literal interpretation while implying further considerations. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news articles to informal conversations. Remember to provide clarifying context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity or sounding dismissive. You might consider using alternative phrases like "in theory yes" or "formally yes" to fine-tune your meaning. Frequent authoritative sources include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a strict sense, yes

This alternative emphasizes the literal accuracy of the affirmation.

formally, yes

This suggests the affirmation is true from a formal or official standpoint.

by the letter of the law, yes

This highlights that the affirmation is legally or officially correct, though perhaps not practically.

in theory, yes

This implies the affirmation is true in an ideal or hypothetical situation.

nominally, yes

This conveys that the affirmation is true in name only, potentially lacking substance.

on paper, yes

This suggests the affirmation is true according to written documents or plans.

so to speak, yes

This softens the affirmation, indicating it's not entirely precise.

if you want to get technical, yes

This is a more conversational way of introducing a technically correct but perhaps impractical affirmation.

in a narrow sense, yes

This indicates that the affirmation is only true within specific, limited parameters.

from a certain perspective, yes

This acknowledges that the affirmation is true depending on one's viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I use "technically yes" in a sentence?

Use "technically yes" to acknowledge the literal truth of a statement while implying that there are other factors to consider. For example, "Is this the fastest route? Technically yes, but there's usually heavy traffic."

What does "technically yes" mean?

It means that something is true according to a strict or literal interpretation, but there may be nuances or caveats that make it not entirely accurate or practical.

What can I say instead of "technically yes"?

You can use alternatives like "in theory yes", "formally yes", or "in a strict sense yes" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "technically yes"?

It's appropriate when you want to concede a point on a narrow or literal basis, while also suggesting that the full picture is more complex or that there are practical considerations that outweigh the technical correctness.