to the extent practicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to the extent practicable" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is achievable, but with limits. For example, "We will try to accommodate all requests, to the extent practicable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

So, to the extent practicable, should the use of coal.

The Economist

Committee hearings will now be videotaped and webcast live "to the extent practicable," according to the list of new rules.

The New York Times

In the future, mining companies will be required to respect the buffer zone merely "to the extent practicable".

The New York Times

When confronted with evidence of ongoing oil infiltration into the soil, he states that the homeowner has complied with guidelines "to the extent practicable".

The New York Times

The law also says the rocket should take advantage of pieces from the space shuttles and the canceled Constellation rockets "to the extent practicable".

The New York Times - Science

When the Bergmanns demanded further cleanup of Mrs. Petagno's property, Mr. Cowen responded with a letter saying Mrs. Petagno had fully complied with the agency's requirements and had removed contamination "to the extent practicable".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Ordinarily," Judge Brown noted, "one party doesn't face statutory pressure to acquiesce in the other's demands 'to the extent practicable.'"Judge Brown concluded: "Because PRIIA endows Amtrak with regulatory authority over its competitors, that delegation violates due process".

Huffington Post

According to the exploration plan obtained by Huffington Post, an MMS official certified that BP "has the capacity to respond, to the maximum extent practicable, to a worst-case discharge, or a substantial threat of such a discharge".

Huffington Post

The reality is that these women are entitled under the Geneva conventions "to receive, to the fullest extent practicable and with the least possible delay, the medical care and attention required by their condition".

The Guardian

However, the bill goes on to state that in the disposition of assets, the FDIC shall "to the greatest extent practicable, conduct its operations in a manner that... mitigates the potential for serious adverse effects to the financial system".

Huffington Post

The considerable expense of developing new biomass equations and the urgency in getting to a system that can accurately characterize forest C stores and flux in support of C management, argues for utilization to the maximum extent practicable the biomass equations and data that have already been developed.

Carbon Balance and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to the extent practicable" to acknowledge potential limitations while committing to making a strong effort. It's useful in policy writing or when outlining procedures where unforeseen obstacles may arise.

Common error

Avoid using "to the extent practicable" as a loophole to avoid responsibility. Ensure there's a genuine commitment to fulfilling the intended action, and that 'practicable' isn't a convenient excuse for inaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the extent practicable" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the degree to which an action can or should be performed. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to the extent practicable" is a useful phrase for indicating that an action should be performed as much as is feasible, given the constraints of reality. Ludwig AI validates it as grammatically correct and commonly used. It is especially appropriate in formal contexts, such as policy discussions or legal writing. While alternatives exist, such as "as far as possible" or "where feasible", the specific nuance of practicality makes "to the extent practicable" a valuable addition to one's vocabulary. Remember that the key to using this phrase correctly is to be realistic about the constraints and sincere in the commitment to overcome them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as far as is realistically possible

Combines the elements of maximization and realism, making it quite similar in meaning.

as much as is reasonably possible

Highlights the reasonableness of the effort, adding a layer of subjective judgment.

as far as possible

Focuses on maximizing effort or achievement without explicitly considering feasibility.

where feasible

Emphasizes feasibility as the primary condition, implying limitations may exist.

subject to feasibility

Directly acknowledges that the action depends on whether it can be realistically done.

to the degree achievable

Shifts focus to what can be accomplished, rather than the practicality of the means.

within reasonable limits

Specifies that actions are constrained by what is considered sensible or appropriate.

if circumstances allow

Underscores that the action is contingent on external conditions being favorable.

as appropriate

Highlights suitability and relevance in specific circumstances.

to the best of one's ability

Emphasizes the effort and skill applied, rather than external practicality.

FAQs

How can I use "to the extent practicable" in a sentence?

You can use "to the extent practicable" to indicate that an action will be performed as much as is feasible or reasonable, given existing constraints. For example, "We will reduce emissions "as far as possible", to the extent practicable."

What phrases are similar to "to the extent practicable"?

Similar phrases include "as far as possible", "where feasible", and "as much as is reasonably possible". All of these indicate a limitation or condition on an action.

Is "to the extent practicable" formal or informal?

"To the extent practicable" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional, legal, or official contexts. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "to the extent practicable" and "to the extent possible"?

While both phrases indicate limits, "to the extent practicable" implies a consideration of feasibility and resources. "To the extent possible" focuses more on maximizing effort without necessarily accounting for practical limitations. Therefore, "to the extent practicable" is more appropriate when real-world constraints exist.