are virtually absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are virtually absent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is almost completely missing or lacking. Example: "In the recent survey, responses from younger demographics are virtually absent, indicating a gap in our data collection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Personal details are virtually absent.

The New York Times

But in Somalia, these big agencies are virtually absent.

The New York Times

(Women in the Lambert family are virtually absent from the historical record, unfortunately).

The New Yorker

She added: "Libya is de facto a failed state, where law enforcement authorities are virtually absent.

The Guardian

By contrast, the secular liberal parties are virtually absent from the countryside.

The New York Times

Barring Gok Wan, scientist Kevin Fong and the odd TV chef, UK Chinese are virtually absent from mainstream media.

The Guardian - Opinion

Auditory stimulation plays a small role, and the other senses, like taste and smell, are virtually absent.

The New York Times - Health

— then he must have some backup cash and inner gall, both of which are virtually absent at the moment.

The New York Times - Sports

Alas, this nuance and complexity are virtually absent from the nonfiction realm of the national political conversation.

The New York Times

The new antiwar songs are virtually absent from commercial radio stations, where most programmers wouldn't dream of dividing or alienating their listenership.

The New York Times - Arts

In contrast to Britain, the principle of equality before the law and an independent court system are virtually absent in Russia.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "are virtually absent" to add a layer of sophistication to your descriptions of scarcity or absence.

Common error

Avoid using "are virtually absent" when something is completely and definitively gone. Reserve it for cases where a trace amount might still exist or be possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are virtually absent" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is nearly or almost completely missing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are virtually absent" is a grammatically correct and widely used adjective phrase to describe something that is almost completely missing. Ludwig AI shows that it is commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts and is suitable for formal writing. Alternatives include "are almost nonexistent" and "are practically missing". When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is indeed nearly gone, but not entirely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are almost nonexistent

Emphasizes the near complete lack of something.

are practically missing

Highlights the absence in a practical or noticeable sense.

are nearly absent

Indicates a close-to-complete absence.

are all but absent

Suggests the absence is so significant it's as good as complete.

are effectively absent

Highlights that their impact or presence is as if they were not there.

are scarcely present

Focuses on the minimal presence rather than complete absence.

are conspicuously lacking

Draws attention to the notable absence.

are few and far between

Indicates rarity and infrequent occurrence.

are in short supply

Indicates a limited quantity or availability.

are thin on the ground

Implies that something is scarce or not readily found.

FAQs

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

You can use "are virtually absent" to describe a situation where something is almost completely missing or lacking. For example: "In the rural areas, medical facilities "are virtually absent"."

What can I say instead of "are virtually absent"?

You can use alternatives like "are almost nonexistent", "are practically missing", or "are nearly absent" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "are virtually absent" in formal writing?

Yes, "are virtually absent" is appropriate for formal writing. It conveys a precise meaning and is often used in academic and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "are virtually absent" and "are completely absent"?

"Are virtually absent" implies something is almost entirely missing but may have a trace presence, while "are completely absent" indicates total absence with no presence whatsoever.