but virtually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but virtually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost or nearly the case, but not entirely so. Example: "The project is complete, but virtually all team members still need to review the final document."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But virtually none remain today.

The New York Times

Coney Island was open, but virtually ignored.

The New York Times

But virtually none have occurred in years.

The New York Times - Books

But virtually everything else is different.

The New York Times

But virtually no one is cancelling.

The Guardian - Travel

But virtually none has been done to date.

Energy

But virtually all communities who value forgiveness can benefit.

University of California, Berkeley

But virtually all the top clubs are making losses.

Independent

But virtually no one save the moneymen likes this situation.

The Economist

There are also rental units, but virtually no condominiums.

The New York Times

But virtually every APEC country would benefit from participating.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but virtually" to convey that a statement is true in almost all respects, but not entirely. This nuance can add precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "but virtually" when the situation is far from the intended outcome. Overusing it can dilute the impact of your statement and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but virtually" functions as a qualifying conjunction. It connects two clauses, where the second clause introduces a qualification or exception to the first, indicating that something is true to a great extent, although not completely. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but virtually" serves as a valuable tool for adding nuance and precision to your writing. It indicates that something is almost, but not entirely, the case, making it ideal for conveying complex or qualified statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various reputable sources, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While "but virtually" is widely accepted, being mindful of potential overstatements is crucial for effective communication. Alternatives like "but almost" or "but nearly" offer similar meanings, and the choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but almost

Replaces "virtually" with "almost", indicating near completion or truth.

but nearly

Substitutes "virtually" with "nearly", conveying a very similar sense of approximation.

but practically

Employs "practically" instead of "virtually", suggesting a result that is effective in practice, though not in theory.

but just about

Replaces "virtually" with "just about", emphasizing that something is very close to being the case.

but effectively

Uses "effectively" in place of "virtually", highlighting the practical impact or outcome.

but in effect

Substitutes "virtually" with "in effect", indicating the practical consequence or result.

but to all intents and purposes

Offers a more formal alternative to "but virtually", conveying a similar meaning of practical equivalence.

but for all practical purposes

A longer alternative that also suggests a practical equivalence.

but tantamount to

Replaces "virtually" with "tantamount to", indicating something is equivalent in effect or value.

but bordering on

This phrase suggests the situation is very close to the specified condition without fully reaching it.

FAQs

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

Use "but virtually" to indicate that something is almost, but not quite, the case. For example: "The project is complete, "but virtually" all team members still need to review the final document".

What phrases are similar to "but virtually"?

Alternatives to "but virtually" include "but almost", "but nearly", or "but practically", each conveying a similar sense of approximation.

Is "but virtually" appropriate for formal writing?

"But virtually" is generally acceptable in formal writing, particularly when precision is needed. However, in very formal contexts, "to all intents and purposes" might be a preferred alternative.

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

"But virtually" means 'almost' or 'nearly', while "but literally" implies that something is actually true in every detail. Using "but literally" incorrectly can lead to misunderstandings.