and virtually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and virtually" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to indicate that something is nearly or almost true or real, but not completely. Here are some examples: 1. "The company's profits were down this quarter, but with their cost-cutting measures, they were able to maintain a virtually stable financial position." 2. "I'm almost finished with my thesis, I just have to make a few minor revisions and virtually it will be done." 3. "The new smartphone model boasts virtually the same features as its predecessor, with the addition of a better camera." 4. "She was in a state of shock after the accident, but fortunately she was virtually unharmed." 5. "Thanks to online shopping, you can virtually shop for anything from the comfort of your home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And virtually no crime.

The Guardian

Palestinian opposition is sharper and virtually universal.

The New York Times - Magazine

And virtually all have given money.

The New York Times

The deaths are horrific and virtually all preventable.

The New York Times

This is easy to subpoena and virtually impossible to erase.

The Economist

There's also no intermission, and virtually no story.

The New York Times - Arts

It has also proved head-bangingly unruly and virtually unleadable.

The Economist

"And virtually all sufferers are professional or amateur musicians".

The New York Times - Arts

And virtually no federal funding is tied to results.

The New York Times

And virtually every big scene had a big star.

The New York Times

And virtually every statute reflects a bundle of political deals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and virtually" to soften a statement that is nearly true but not 100% accurate, providing a more nuanced and precise description.

Common error

Avoid using "and virtually" when the statement is definitively true or false. It's best suited for situations where there's a high degree of similarity or approximation, but not exactness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and virtually" functions as an intensifier and qualifier, modifying the subsequent adjective or adverb. It suggests a high degree of approximation without absolute certainty. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is common in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

46%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and virtually" is a frequently used phrase that functions as an intensifier, conveying near equivalence without absolute certainty. Ludwig AI confirms that it's suitable for a wide array of contexts, particularly in news, science, and more formal writing. To ensure accuracy, use it when there's a significant degree of similarity, but not complete identity. Related alternatives include "and practically" and "and almost", each with slight differences in nuance. Therefore, use "and virtually" to achieve preciseness in description and clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and practically

The term "practically" focuses on real-world application and effect, whereas "virtually" emphasizes the almost complete nature of something.

and nearly

"Nearly" indicates a close approximation, similar to "virtually", but without the implication of being almost entirely the same.

and almost

"Almost" suggests a slight difference from being complete, while "virtually" implies a resemblance that's extremely close to being identical.

and effectively

"Effectively" points to the outcome or result being nearly the same, shifting focus from the state of being to the impact.

and in effect

"In effect" emphasizes the functional similarity rather than the literal equivalence, suggesting the outcome is what matters most.

and to all intents and purposes

This idiom is more formal and implies a legal or official perspective where something is treated as if it were entirely true.

and tantamount to

"Tantamount to" suggests the phrase is equal in effect or value, often used in more serious or formal contexts.

and as good as

This phrase is more informal and colloquial, suggesting something is almost equivalent but not necessarily perfect.

and by and large

"By and large" indicates general agreement or overall similarity, often used when there might be minor exceptions.

and for the most part

"For the most part" suggests that something is mainly true, acknowledging some exceptions or variations.

FAQs

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

The phrase "and virtually" is used to indicate that something is almost entirely true or equivalent to something else. For example, "The two products are identical "and virtually" indistinguishable."

What are some alternatives to "and virtually"?

You can use alternatives such as "and practically", "and nearly", or "and almost" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "and virtually" in formal writing?

Yes, "and virtually" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when you need to express that something is very close to being a certain way without being absolutely identical. It adds a degree of precision to your statements.

What's the difference between "and virtually" and "and literally"?

"And virtually" means almost or nearly, while "and literally" means exactly or actually. They have opposite meanings, so using one in place of the other would change the statement's meaning. For example, "The project is "and virtually" complete" means it's close to being done, while "The project is "and literally" complete" means it is finished.