at virtually the same time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at virtually the same time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more events occurred almost simultaneously, with a slight allowance for time difference. Example: "The two teams scored their goals at virtually the same time, creating an exciting atmosphere in the stadium."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"The whole city has gutted homes at virtually the same time," said Jack Schnirman, the city manager.

The New York Times

She questions the wisdom of having The Nose at the Coliseum and at the Linbury Studio of the Royal Opera House at virtually the same time.

Independent

The modern parachute developed at virtually the same time as the balloon, though the two events were independent of each other.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On the one hand, he often seemed to be moving away from the faith of his father and back toward it at virtually the same time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The police said that Kyle Soukup, 17, driving the Corvette, and Blake Slade, 19, driving the Mercedes, collided with the Jeep at virtually the same time.

The New York Times

Yet at virtually the same time, all three major credit-rating agencies raised their ratings of Malaysia's unsecured foreign-currency debt, a vote of confidence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

You can ski and do yoga at virtually the same exact time.

HuffPost

A 'live' TV programme is a programme, which is watched or recorded at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is being broadcast or otherwise distributed to members of the public.

BBC

At about the same time, the Pittsburgh.

Forbes

Results of a third article, published virtually at the same time, were seemingly at odds with the two previous articles.

Current Opinion in Lipidology

"This international partnership will provide fans around the world … the opportunity to see every episode virtually at the same time as viewers in the US.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at virtually the same time" when precision isn't critical, but you want to convey events happening very close together. If absolute simultaneity is intended, "simultaneously" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, avoid repetitive use of "at virtually the same time" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more concise alternatives like "simultaneously" or "concurrently" to enhance clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at virtually the same time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the temporal relationship between two or more events. Ludwig AI confirms it is a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at virtually the same time" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that two or more events happened closely in time, though not necessarily simultaneously. Ludwig confirms its validity. While it's acceptable in various contexts, more precise alternatives may be preferred in formal writing if exact synchronicity is important. The phrase appears frequently in news, scientific articles, and encyclopedias. When aiming for precision, consider alternatives such as "almost simultaneously" or "concurrently". Remember to avoid overusing the phrase in formal writing and opt for more concise alternatives when possible to improve the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost simultaneously

Emphasizes the near-perfect coincidence of the events, suggesting a higher degree of simultaneity.

nearly simultaneously

Similar to "almost simultaneously", but slightly less emphatic about the precise overlap.

around the same time

Implies a less precise temporal proximity, allowing for a slightly wider window of time.

at approximately the same time

Adds a degree of imprecision and estimation to the timing of the events.

concurrently

A more formal term indicating that events happen at the same time or alongside each other.

in the same timeframe

Highlights that events fall within the same period, rather than necessarily at the exact same moment.

in close succession

Focuses on the order of events, highlighting that they follow one another quickly.

simultaneous with

A more academic way to show that two things are concurrent.

coincidentally

Emphasizes the chance aspect of the events happening at the same time, rather than a causal relationship.

synchronously

Refers to happening in a synchronic manner.

FAQs

How can I use "at virtually the same time" in a sentence?

You can use "at virtually the same time" to describe events that occur close together. For example, "The two explosions occurred "at virtually the same time"."

What can I say instead of "at virtually the same time"?

You can use alternatives like "almost simultaneously", "nearly simultaneously", or "around the same time" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at virtually the same time" or "simultaneously"?

Both are correct, but "at virtually the same time" implies a slight difference in timing, while "simultaneously" suggests events happening at the exact same instant. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "at virtually the same time" and "at the same time"?

"At the same time" suggests that events are perfectly synchronized. "At virtually the same time" allows for a small difference in the timing, implying they occurred very close together, but not necessarily perfectly synchronized.