is virtually absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is virtually absent" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is not available or not present, but barely so. For example, "In today's modern economy, job security is virtually absent."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Soil is virtually absent on rocky peaks and ridges.

Britannica

Foreign policy is virtually absent from the election campaign.

The Guardian - Opinion

Holmes's co-conspirator, Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani, is virtually absent.

The Washington Post

His white mother, the parent who raised him, is virtually absent from the text.

The Guardian - Opinion

And, in contrast to the past, the phrase is virtually absent from the real estate listings.

The New York Times

The aesthetic concept of play is virtually absent, except among such humanists as Maslow.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Atheism blossoms in developed countries but is virtually absent in poorer nations.

Huffington Post

Ten years later, the opinion of Iraqis is virtually absent from the debate in the West.

Independent

Largely that is because Britain is virtually absent from the more high-profile business of launching rockets and people into space.

The Guardian

Perhaps in deference to non-Western cultures, sexuality is virtually absent, as are feminist issues.

The New Yorker

CDX2 represses the activity of OCT4 in mouse TE [ 5] and is virtually absent in ICM cells [ 6].

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is virtually absent" to convey that something is almost entirely missing, but with the slight nuance that it might technically exist in a minimal or insignificant way.

Common error

Avoid using "is virtually absent" when something is absolutely, unequivocally not there. Opt for phrases like "is completely absent" or "does not exist" when there is no trace whatsoever.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is virtually absent" functions as a descriptive expression. It signifies that something is almost entirely non-existent or lacking, although with the subtle implication that it might technically exist in a minimal or insignificant manner. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is virtually absent" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that is nearly nonexistent, offering a nuanced alternative to stating complete absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While it's important to ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the degree of absence you intend to convey, its common usage and broad applicability make it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit. Related phrases like "is essentially absent" and "is practically missing" provide useful alternatives for varying the tone and emphasis of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is almost nonexistent

Emphasizes near-total absence, using a stronger term than "virtually".

is effectively absent

Similar to "virtually absent", implying the absence has a real impact.

is essentially absent

Stresses the fundamental absence of something, similar in meaning but with a slightly different emphasis.

is practically missing

Focuses on the absence from a practical standpoint, implying it doesn't affect the situation.

is as good as nonexistent

Expresses that something, although technically present, has no practical effect.

is substantially lacking

Highlights a significant deficiency, rather than complete absence.

barely exists

Indicates that something exists at a minimal level.

scarcely exists

Indicates a very low level of presence, focusing on rarity.

is conspicuously absent

Highlights that something's absence is noticeable or remarkable.

is negligibly present

Indicates the presence is so small it doesn't matter.

FAQs

How can I use "is virtually absent" in a sentence?

You can use "is virtually absent" to describe something that is almost entirely missing or nonexistent. For example, "Job security "is virtually absent" in today's economy."

What's a formal alternative to "is virtually absent"?

In more formal contexts, consider using "is essentially absent" or "is substantially lacking".

Is "is virtually absent" the same as "is completely absent"?

No, "is virtually absent" implies something is almost entirely gone but might technically exist in a negligible way, whereas "is completely absent" means it does not exist at all.

What can I say instead of "is virtually absent" when highlighting something's conspicuous absence?

Use "is conspicuously absent" to emphasize that the absence is noticeable or remarkable.