to make something practical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to make something practical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something that was abstract or theoretical is now being used in a real-world application. For example, "The professor's research was able to make a new renewable energy source practical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But really, the company has self-limited on purpose: the idea is to make something practical and cheap that almost anyone can use.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We do not allow ourselves to make something not practical or functional," Ms. Takei said.

The New York Times - Tech

One is carpentry - I don't mean anything artistic but making something practical, which could be of benefit to other people.

The Guardian

"We built this because after years of focusing on practical items like the PowerSquid, we wanted to make something FUN!

TechCrunch

A Ph.D. is great on fundamentals--it teaches you how to make something completely on your own--but it falls short on the practical stuff every entrepreneur has to master.

Science Magazine

"I want to make something.

The New York Times

I tried to make something for me.

The New York Times

We needed to make something happen".

The New York Times - Sports

[You] try to make something happen".

Independent

He wanted to make something fun.

The New York Times

"We tried to make something stylish.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research or theoretical work, use "to make something practical" to highlight the transition from abstract concepts to real-world applications. For example, "The goal of this project is "to make something practical" out of years of research."

Common error

Avoid using "to make something practical" when the outcome is only marginally useful or lacks clear real-world benefits. Ensure the result genuinely offers a tangible solution or improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to make something practical" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of transforming something into a usable or functional form. It highlights the process of applying theoretical knowledge or abstract ideas to create tangible, real-world solutions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to make something practical" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the process of converting ideas or concepts into usable, real-world applications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various writing contexts. It commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles, reflecting its broad applicability. While grammatically correct and widely understood, writers should avoid overstating the practicality of an outcome. Alternatives like "to put something into practice" or "to translate into real-world applications" can provide nuanced meaning, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to put something into practice

Focuses on the implementation of a concept or idea, emphasizing the action of using it in a real-world scenario.

to translate into real-world applications

Highlights the transformation of something, typically theoretical knowledge, into tangible uses.

to convert into a working model

Emphasizes the creation of a functional prototype or version from a design or plan.

to turn into a usable form

Focuses on modifying something to make it suitable and ready for use.

to bring to fruition

Stresses the completion of a project or idea, resulting in a practical outcome.

to implement effectively

Focuses on the successful application or execution of a plan or system.

to operationalize a concept

Highlights the process of defining and making a concept measurable and applicable.

to render something functional

Emphasizes the act of making something capable of performing its intended function.

to give something a practical application

Highlights the act of assigning or developing a real-world use for something.

to ground something in reality

Emphasizes anchoring an idea or plan in practical considerations and feasibility.

FAQs

How can I use "to make something practical" in a sentence?

You can use "to make something practical" to describe the process of turning an idea or concept into something that can be used in real-world situations. For example, "Engineers are working to "to make something practical" out of this new technology".

What's a good alternative for "to make something practical"?

Alternatives include "to put something into practice", "to translate into real-world applications", or "to convert into a working model".

Is it correct to say "to make something practically" instead of "to make something practical"?

No, "to make something practically" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "to make something practical", where "practical" is an adjective describing the thing being made.

What does it mean to render something functional?

To render something functional, similar to "to make something practical", means to make it capable of performing its intended function or purpose. It emphasizes the act of bringing something into a usable or operational state.