The phrase "as virtually the first" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearly or almost the first of its kind or occurrence, often in a comparative context.
Example: "The invention was recognized as virtually the first of its kind in the industry, paving the way for future innovations."
Alternatives: "almost the first" or "practically the first".
To rip apart Manchester United at Old Trafford when asked to play as a trequartista for virtually the first time as Sterling did in Liverpool's 3-0 victory at Old Trafford two seasons ago is also no skeleton in the career closet.
"As soon as I heard where Spoty was, it was virtually the first thing in my diary," said McIlroy.
First, states emerged as virtually the sole form of substantive constitutional authority in Europe, their authority no longer seriously challenged by the Holy Roman Empire.
Ideally, the cognitive part of your brain uses reasoned logic to assuage any irrational worries that the faster part has identified as areas of concern (for example, the 102nd floor of the Empire State building is virtually as safe as the second floor).
While hardly Saks Fifth Avenue or even Neiman Marcus, Macy's is certainly the most upscale department store in this city, whose status as virtually a sixth borough of New York has become increasingly obvious as jobs jump across the Hudson, rents rise like skyscrapers and trendier residents look around for places to lighten their wallets.
It held the star receiver Dez Bryant without a catch for virtually the entire first half, as he caught a meaningless ball with seven seconds left.
The second set of results was virtually the same as the first.
Walker dismissed the new complaint last year, saying the refiled suit was virtually the same as the first, a meritless suit.
Sagarin's formula suggests that losing one game by a point and winning the next one by five is virtually the same as winning the first game by a point and also winning the next one by three.
