are virtually nonexistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are virtually nonexistent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost completely absent or lacking in a particular context. Example: "In this region, public transportation options are virtually nonexistent, making it difficult for residents to commute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such staffs are virtually nonexistent, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And the book's margins are virtually nonexistent.

The New York Times - Books

(All of these elements are virtually nonexistent in video games).

The New York Times - Arts

(Japanese nannies are virtually nonexistent, and hiring foreigners is illegal).

The New York Times - Magazine

Times have changed, margins for error are virtually nonexistent.

The New York Times - Sports

Strip away the promises and the offerings are virtually nonexistent.

The New York Times

Right now in Russia, such preventative measures are virtually nonexistent.

The Guardian

Such leagues are virtually nonexistent in areas of the United States where hockey is popular.

The New York Times - Sports

In Iraq psychiatric services that might have helped are virtually nonexistent.

The New York Times

Spanish-language studios still largely have exclusive contracts with actors, and unions are virtually nonexistent.

The New York Times

Scripted shows with predominantly black casts are virtually nonexistent on contemporary network TV.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are virtually nonexistent" to emphasize a near-complete absence, but consider if a stronger term like "absent" or "nonexistent" might be more accurate for conciseness.

Common error

Avoid using "are virtually nonexistent" when the subject is definitively absent. 'Virtually' implies 'almost', so ensure this nuance aligns with your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are virtually nonexistent" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by asserting that the noun's existence is close to zero. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across a range of contexts, highlighting its role in emphasizing scarcity or near absence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are virtually nonexistent" effectively communicates that something is almost completely absent. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, confirming it is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across diverse contexts like news, science, and academia. While alternatives such as "are almost nonexistent" or "are practically nonexistent" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance. Remember to use this phrase when you want to convey a strong sense of scarcity, ensuring the subject is indeed nearly absent rather than definitively nonexistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are almost nonexistent

Uses 'almost' instead of 'virtually' for a slightly weaker emphasis on absence.

are practically nonexistent

Replaces 'virtually' with 'practically', conveying a sense of real-world absence.

are nearly nonexistent

Substitutes 'virtually' with 'nearly' for a similar level of emphasis.

are essentially absent

Replaces "virtually nonexistent" with "essentially absent", focusing on the fundamental lack of something.

are as good as nonexistent

Emphasizes that something is so close to being nonexistent that it can be treated as such.

might as well not exist

Expresses a similar idea by stating that something is so rare or ineffective it's comparable to not existing.

are conspicuous by their absence

Highlights the lack of something through its noticeable absence.

are few and far between

Indicates rarity and infrequent occurrence, implying near nonexistence.

scarcely exist

A more concise way of saying that something barely exists.

are thin on the ground

Implies that occurrences are rare or thinly distributed, almost nonexistent.

FAQs

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

You can use "are virtually nonexistent" to describe something that is almost completely absent. For example, "In this remote area, job opportunities "are virtually nonexistent"".

What are some alternatives to "are virtually nonexistent"?

Alternatives include "are almost nonexistent", "are practically nonexistent", or "are nearly nonexistent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more correct to say "are virtually nonexistent" or "are nonexistent"?

"Are nonexistent" implies a complete absence, while "are virtually nonexistent" suggests a near-complete absence. Use "are nonexistent" when something is entirely lacking and "are virtually nonexistent" when something exists in such a small quantity that is of no practical value.

What does "are virtually nonexistent" mean?

It means that something is so rare or minimal that it's as if it doesn't exist. It's stronger than "rare" but weaker than "nonexistent".