practical experience — real experience
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
Knowledge or skills you gain by actually doing something, not just learning about it from books or classes.
Say it like a native
Textbook I possess experience of a hands-on, applied nature.
Native I've got plenty of practical experience.
'Experience of an applied nature' is clumsy; 'practical' / 'hands-on experience' is natural.
Pattern: practical experience (in/of/with) [noun/gerund]
In use
- She got practical experience by working part-time in a hospital during her studies.work
- In my opinion, practical experience is just as important as academic qualifications when applying for a job.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I have many practical experiences.
✓ I have a lot of practical experience.
'Experience' in this sense is uncountable — not 'experiences'.
Common collocations
practical experience— practical experience, hands-on experience, gain, real-world experience
Don't confuse it
Different from 'theoretical knowledge', which means understanding ideas or facts without actually doing the activity.