had virtually been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had virtually been" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was almost or nearly the case in the past, often implying a sense of incompleteness or approximation. Example: "By the time the project was completed, it had virtually been a year since we first started planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

College radio stations had virtually been the only outlet in the state for reggae D.J.'s.

The New York Times

Twenty years later, when "Up from Slavery" was published, black men had virtually been disenfranchised in the South.

The New Yorker

He realized he had stumbled into a niche that had virtually been ignored by other Internet sites.

The New York Times

By the time dusk settled over Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, the final outcome had virtually been settled.

The New York Times - Sports

The chance had virtually been the visitors' first since the striker guided an eighth-minute header from Fábio da Silva's delivery beyond Jesse Joronen.

The Guardian - Sport

The MiniDisc format had virtually been ignored for years in the United States until digital music enthusiasts discovered that it was perfect for preserving music files.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

That kind of difference-for-the-sake-of-difference form has virtually been lost.

The New York Times

Arenas, their franchise player, has virtually been erased from the premises.

The New York Times - Sports

It's been the sort of situation where we have virtually been breaking ground".

The New York Times

Except for being in his office in the Jets' complex, Parcells has virtually been invisible.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've virtually been shoved aside," said Mr. McClung, who worked for Mr. Hobby.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had virtually been" to emphasize that something was almost, but not quite, a particular state or condition. It's effective when highlighting a near-miss or an approximation.

Common error

Avoid using "had virtually been" in every sentence. Overuse can weaken your writing and make it sound less precise. Choose stronger, more direct verbs when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had virtually been" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase used to modify a verb, indicating that an action or state almost occurred or existed. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had virtually been" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something came close to being a particular state or condition. According to Ludwig AI, it is perfectly usable in written English. This phrase commonly appears in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. When writing, consider using it to add nuance when describing something that almost occurred but didn't quite happen. Alternatives include "had almost been" and "had nearly been". Overusing it should be avoided to maintain clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had almost been

Replaces 'virtually' with 'almost', indicating a near state but not quite the same.

had nearly been

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

had practically been

Uses 'practically' instead of 'virtually', suggesting a close resemblance in effect.

had effectively been

Replaces 'virtually' with 'effectively', implying that the outcome was the same.

was all but

A more concise way to express that something was almost entirely the case.

had basically been

Uses 'basically' instead of 'virtually', which is slightly less formal.

had as good as been

An idiomatic expression indicating near completion or occurrence.

had close to been

Emphasizes the proximity to a certain state or condition.

had approached being

Focuses on the process of nearing a particular state.

had bordered on being

Implies that something came very close to being a certain way, often with a sense of exaggeration.

FAQs

How can I use "had virtually been" in a sentence?

Use "had virtually been" to express that something almost reached a certain state or condition in the past. For instance, "By the time the repairs were finished, the car "had virtually been" rebuilt from scratch".

What are some alternatives to "had virtually been"?

You can use phrases like "had almost been", "had nearly been", or "was all but" depending on the context.

Is "had virtually been" formal or informal?

"Had virtually been" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What is the difference between "had virtually been" and "had actually been"?

"Had virtually been" implies something came close to being a certain way but wasn't, whereas "had actually been" indicates that something definitively was that way. The first suggests approximation, the second, reality.