I virtually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I virtually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost or nearly true, often in a figurative sense. Example: "I virtually finished the project, just a few minor details left to address."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

After World War I, virtually every town in France had its Rue or Avenue Pétain.

The New York Times

Its prototype was presented to General John J. Pershing, commander of the American expeditionary force in France, a year after the end of World War I, virtually sealing its place in 20th-century history.

The New York Times

I virtually became part of the team".

The Guardian - Sport

I virtually lived at Locanda Locatelli, which had just opened.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So here am I, virtually defenceless against it.

The Guardian

Except for eating and sleeping I virtually live here.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Is virtually the whole industry [opposed].

The Guardian

Actually, I'm virtually certain I wasn't the first.

The New York Times - Science

Thus clause (i) is virtually equivalent to V1.

SEP

"I'm virtually certain that I'm going to be laid off," she said.

The New York Times

"I'd virtually given up - I didn't think it would ever happen," he says.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I virtually" to convey that something is true in essence or effect, even if not in strict reality. For instance, "I virtually live at the library" suggests spending a great deal of time there.

Common error

Avoid using "I virtually" when precision is crucial. If you mean "I completely finished", don't say "I virtually finished" as it implies some incompleteness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I virtually" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier indicating approximation or near completion. It is used to express that an action or state is almost, but not quite, a reality. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly conveys a sense of nearness or resemblance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I virtually" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is nearly or almost true. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples. It's versatile, fitting into neutral to slightly informal contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media, and Science domains. Remember to use it when you want to convey a strong approximation, but avoid it when precision is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I almost

Indicates a near miss or close proximity to an action or state.

I practically

Emphasizes the real-world effect or outcome, even if not technically complete.

I nearly

Expresses that something came very close to happening or being true.

I essentially

Highlights the core or fundamental nature of a situation.

I basically

Indicates the fundamental elements or characteristics of an action or state.

I effectively

Focuses on the result or impact of an action, often implying a positive outcome.

In effect, I

Highlights the actual outcome or consequence of an action.

For all intents and purposes, I

Emphasizes a situation that is true in almost every relevant way.

To all practical purposes, I

Focuses on the realistic or functional aspects of a situation.

You could say I

Suggests a way of describing a situation that is nearly accurate.

FAQs

What does "I virtually" mean?

The phrase "I virtually" indicates that something is almost or nearly the case, without being completely or literally true. It suggests a strong approximation or effect.

How can I use "I virtually" in a sentence?

You can use "I virtually" to describe a situation that closely resembles another, such as "I virtually live at my office during tax season", meaning you spend a significant amount of time there.

What can I say instead of "I virtually"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I almost", "I practically", or "I nearly". For example, instead of saying "I virtually finished the book", you could say "I almost finished the book".

Is there a difference between "I virtually" and "I actually"?

Yes, "I virtually" indicates something is close to being true but not entirely, while "I actually" emphasizes that something is indeed true and factual. For instance, "I virtually know everyone in town" means you know almost everyone, while "I actually know everyone in town" means you know them all.