had virtually given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had virtually given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was almost completely done or achieved in the past, often implying a sense of finality or inevitability. Example: "By the time the deadline approached, the team had virtually given up on meeting their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

At times, you got the feeling he had virtually given up.

Independent

With the end of the last Frontier War in 1852, the Xhosa had virtually given up armed struggle.

The New York Times

It was Burton, too, who gave Gough one of his last roles, at a point when he had virtually given up acting.

Independent

By the early 1960's Mr. Charles had virtually given up writing his own material to follow his eclectic impulses as an interpreter.

The New York Times - Arts

By the time Triarc came on the scene, they had virtually given up on the brand and were putting their energies into other companies' products.

Harvard Business Review

(He says his first marriage was childless, but friends talk of a son with whom he has no contact). By the end of the decade, he had virtually given up performing.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In contrast to Torres, Liverpool have virtually given up on Javier Mascherano and are likely to sell him to Barcelona this summer.

Independent

He has virtually given up any pretence he might recommend Britain leave Europe and he polls as the single most persuasive politician in a referendum.

The Guardian

Denise and Mike Mulica of Evanston, Ill., have virtually given up on getting to their Martha's Vineyard home during the summer, preferring the off-season.

The New York Times - Travel

Experience suggests there is a very big "if", and negotiators have virtually given up on the idea that the pledges should be legally binding.

The Guardian

"Embattled as he now is in his bunker and with fewer and fewer allies remaining to sustain his morale, even Bush himself now seems to have virtually given up hope for his own presidency.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had virtually given" to express that someone was close to giving up, but ensure the context clarifies what they were giving up: hope, a task, or a belief. This adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "had virtually given" when the situation indicates a complete and final abandonment. "Virtually" implies near completion, not actual completion, so choose stronger verbs if something was entirely given up.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had virtually given" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action that was close to completion, but not fully realized. This construction, as evidenced by Ludwig, is used to describe a state of near-abandonment or resignation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had virtually given" is a useful tool for expressing a near-abandonment or resignation in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and commonly used. While it doesn't indicate a complete relinquishment, it highlights the proximity to that state. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for use in news, media, and other general writing contexts. Remember that "virtually" signifies 'almost' and not 'completely', thus affecting the final interpretation of the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had almost surrendered

Replaces "virtually" with a direct synonym for it.

had almost abandoned

Replaces "virtually given" with a direct synonym for abandonment, emphasizing the act of giving up.

had effectively abandoned

Uses "effectively" to emphasize the real-world consequences of the abandonment. The change implies that the abandonment is considered a fact.

had virtually relinquished

Uses a more formal term, "relinquished", to convey the act of giving up, suggesting a deliberate decision and uses virtually as an indication of the abandonment.

had nearly relinquished

Uses a more formal term, "relinquished", to convey the act of giving up, suggesting a deliberate decision.

had practically surrendered

Emphasizes the idea of yielding or capitulating, highlighting a loss of control or hope.

had basically surrendered

Uses "basically" to indicate an approximation of surrender or abandonment.

had all but forfeited

Conveys the loss of something due to inaction or circumstance, implying a passive surrender.

had essentially ceded

Uses "ceded" to indicate the transfer of control or possession, often in a strategic or formal context.

had more or less quit

Employs a more informal tone with "quit", suggesting a simple and direct abandonment of effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "had virtually given" to indicate that someone was very close to abandoning something. For example: "By the fourth quarter, the team "had virtually given" up hope of winning".

What's a more formal alternative to "had virtually given"?

A more formal alternative would be "had nearly relinquished", which conveys a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it correct to say "has virtually given" instead of "had virtually given"?

The tense depends on the context. "Had virtually given" implies the action occurred in the past, while "has virtually given" indicates it occurred recently or continues to have relevance. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the event.

What is the difference between "had virtually given" and "had completely given"?

"Had virtually given" implies that the action was not entirely completed, while "had completely given" suggests a total abandonment. The subtle difference lies in the degree of completion.