work in practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work in practice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a plan, idea, or method that works well in reality, as opposed to one that only works in theory. For example, "The new teaching strategies we implemented have worked in practice; our students are showing improvement in their learning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will that work in practice?

The Economist

How does the monitoring work in practice?

Independent

But will it work in practice?

The Economist

Q How does it work in practice?

Independent

So how will it work in practice?

Independent

Great theory; didn't work in practice.

The Economist

How could it work in practice?

The Guardian

How might democratic constitutionalism work in practice?

The New York Times - Magazine

How will PPP work in practice?

The Guardian

How would it work in practice?

The New York Times

So how does it work in practice?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the implementation of a new policy or strategy, use "work in practice" to assess its real-world effectiveness. For example, "The pilot program seemed promising on paper, but we need to evaluate how it will "work in practice".

Common error

Avoid using "work in practice" when you simply mean something is generally "workable" or feasible. "Work in practice" specifically refers to how something functions when implemented in a real-world setting, not just its potential to function.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work in practice" primarily functions as a means to assess the effectiveness of a concept, plan, or method when applied in a real-world context. As Ludwig AI points out, it emphasizes practicality over theoretical possibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work in practice" is a common and grammatically correct way to assess the real-world effectiveness of an idea, plan, or method. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes practicality and real-world application, rather than just theoretical possibility. It's frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility. When using "work in practice", be sure to focus on actual implementation and results, distinguishing it from general feasibility or theoretical potential. Consider alternatives like "function effectively" or "be practically applicable" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be practically applicable

Directly addresses the practical applicability of something, making it very similar in meaning.

be effective in reality

Highlights the contrast between theoretical effectiveness and real-world results.

function effectively

Focuses on the effectiveness of the functioning rather than the practical application.

perform as intended

Focuses on whether something fulfills its designed purpose in a real setting.

prove effective

Emphasizes the demonstration of effectiveness, often after a period of testing.

hold up in reality

Implies a test of durability and effectiveness when faced with real-world conditions.

operate successfully

Focuses on the successful operation of a system or process, implying practical functionality.

be feasible in application

Stresses the feasibility and applicability of an idea or plan.

deliver results

Highlights the achievement of tangible outcomes through practical application.

translate into action

Emphasizes the transformation of an idea from concept to practical implementation.

FAQs

How can I use "work in practice" in a sentence?

You can use "work in practice" to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of a plan or method, as opposed to its theoretical effectiveness. For example: "The theory is sound, but we need to see if it will "work in practice".

What can I say instead of "work in practice"?

You can use alternatives like "function effectively", "prove effective", or "be effective in reality" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "works in practice"?

While grammatically possible, "works in practice" is less common than "work in practice". The latter is generally used to discuss how something will perform in real-world scenarios, while the former is used to describe what specifically works in practice.

What's the difference between "work in practice" and "in theory"?

"Work in practice" describes how something functions in the real world, while "in theory" describes how something is expected to function based on abstract principles. For instance, a solution might sound good in theory, but its actual "work in practice" might reveal unforeseen challenges.