when practical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when practical" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something should be done when it is feasible or convenient to do so. Example: "Employees are encouraged to attend the training session when practical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Team members have the ability to work from practically anywhere with wifi, so allow this when practical.

HuffPost

A chronological order has been determined only when practical.

Cornell University

When practical, large basins are also subdivided by political boundaries, as in the Central Valley.

Stanford University

And when practical needs changed, old writing was (nearly) erased.Silent reading also developed, at both ends of Christendom.

The Economist

Completing between sex comparisons when practical and considering spatiotemporal gait characteristics during methodological design and data analysis is also recommended.

Gait & Posture

Accurate beam directions could be obtained when practical antenna patterns was taken into account in the design.

AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications

As for the grisly tales of parched and frenzied passengers stranded without food or drink, the task force recommends that airlines offer refreshments and entertainment "when practical".

The New York Times

The task is even more difficult when practical circumstances require that evaluation be done automatically over short texts, for instance, during incremental system development and error analysis.

Harvard University

The obverse of a verb is a curious language feature: when practical, "v^:_1" reverses the action of a built-in verb "v".

Stanford University

When practical, these spaces shall be entered through side openings - those within 3 1/2 feet (1.07 m) of the bottom.

Cornell University

The proposed method is able to detect the approximate location of the damage, even when practical considerations limit the number of on-site measurements to only a few.

Computers & Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when practical" to acknowledge potential limitations or constraints on a proposed action or guideline. This shows consideration for real-world challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "when practical" as a vague disclaimer. Ensure the context makes it clear what factors might make something impractical; be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when practical" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a condition under which the action is performed. It adds a qualification of feasibility or convenience to the main statement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when practical" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adverbial phrase that indicates something should be done if it is feasible or convenient. As shown by Ludwig, it appears across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science, and Academia. To ensure clarity, avoid vagueness by specifying what factors might make something impractical. Consider alternatives like "if possible" or "where applicable" to fine-tune the nuance. This phrase offers a balanced approach, acknowledging limitations while encouraging adherence to guidelines when circumstances allow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

When feasible

Indicates something should be done if the conditions allow it.

Where applicable

Specifies something should be done only if it is relevant to the situation.

If possible

Implies a preference, dependent upon circumstances being favorable.

As appropriate

Emphasizes that an action is contingent on being suitable or fitting.

As circumstances allow

Suggests that implementation depends on the prevailing conditions.

To the extent practicable

Highlights the effort to do something, limited by real-world constraints.

Where reasonably possible

Emphasizes the effort needed to achieve something, within sensible limits.

When circumstances permit

Indicates that an action is conditional upon specific situational allowances.

If the opportunity arises

Highlights that something will be done only if and when a suitable chance presents itself.

Depending on the situation

Indicates that what to do depends from what it is happening.

FAQs

How can I use "when practical" in a sentence?

Use "when practical" to indicate that an action should be taken unless there are specific reasons or circumstances that make it difficult or impossible. For example, "Employees should attend training sessions "when practical"".

What are some alternatives to saying "when practical"?

You can use alternatives such as "when feasible", "if possible", or "where applicable" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "when reasonably practical"?

While "when practical" already implies a degree of reason, using "when reasonably practical" can add emphasis to the need for a sensible and balanced approach, especially when considering potential costs or difficulties. It highlights that the practicality should be judged in a fair manner.

What's the difference between "when possible" and "when practical"?

"When possible" focuses on whether something is achievable, while "when practical" considers whether it's sensible or advantageous to do, even if it is achievable. In other words "when practical" takes into account all the circumstances.