Sometimes there are very subtle differences between two English words that you might think are interchangeable. For example, the words practical and practicable are quite similar. They come from the same root word, and many people don’t bother to consider which one they’ll use in any given situation, believing that they mean the same thing. While these words can, in some cases, be used interchangeably, knowing the slight differences – the nuances – in their meanings will allow you to use them precisely as they were meant to be used, and prove your mastery of the English vocabulary.
Both of these words come from the Greek word praktikos, which means “related to action.” The first adjective, practical, has the meaning of “useful, effective” when describing an object or an indefinite noun, or “able to act in an effective fashion” when describing a person.
Example 1: Shutting off the lights when you leave a room is a practical way to save electricity.
Example 2: An umbrella is a practical accessory to carry in rainy climates.
Example 3: Angela is too practical to plan her retirement around the lottery tickets she occasionally buys.
The second adjective, practicable, adds the root -able and therefore the extended meaning “able to be …” In this case, the root praktikos has the more direct sense of “action,” so that this word is defined as “feasible, able to be done realistically.” Use this adjective only to describe indefinite nouns, since it’s talking about an action, or something that is accomplished.
Example: Given the shortfall in tax revenues, cutting spending is the only practicable solution.
Synonyms and antonyms are useful things to add in to your vocabulary study, because they help you gain a better understanding of the word you’re focused on, and they increase your vocabulary by that much more at the same time. Two of the obvious antonyms for these two adjectives are gained by adding the prefix im- (“not”). Impractical indicates something that is not useful or that creates the most waste in resources and/or energy, or someone who acts in a way that results in such an outcome. Impracticable describes an action or plan that is not feasible or realistic.
The word practically is another interesting word from the same root, because it can be used to mean two different things. See if you can identify the subtle difference in the use of the word in these two examples:
Example 1: Betty saves all of her coins in a big jar, and it’s practically full.
Example 2: Ann’s been living in France for so long she’s practically a native speaker.
In the first sentence, practically has the meaning of “almost” in the sense of “not quite” – that is, the jar is not quite full. There’s a slight negative connotation in the use of the word this way; obviously in this case it would be even better if the jar were completely full.
In the second sentence, we’re using practically to mean “in effect” or “almost the same as.” In this case, there’s no negativity in our admiring observation that Ann’s skills in the French language are so good.
Study the tricks and quirks of the English language, and your vocabulary skills will bring you the admiration of others, and give you the ability to easily communicate in practically any situation.
