is virtually always

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is virtually always" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs almost all the time, with very few exceptions. Example: "In this region, it is virtually always sunny during the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

There is virtually always a great deal of sex.

The Guardian - Books

In rape cases, that means the cooperation of the victim is virtually always required.

The New York Times

Individual output is virtually always tricky to measure, and frequently makes no sense at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And there is virtually always some issue of anger or vengeance involved".

The New York Times - Style

When he isn't talking, he is virtually always Mr Bean: dopey, infantile, broad and also devious.

The Guardian

"Concrete is virtually always reinforced, but people don't tend to see the reinforcement," Mr. Moeller said.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I'm virtually always lost".

The New York Times

The authors he cites are virtually always men, and women in his paintings usually appear headless, or as body parts.

The New York Times

It's virtually always a problem, especially if that candidate is a vice president and what he thinks differs from his president.

The New York Times

The program also makes the data on manufacturers public — whereas legal settlements in medical cases are virtually always sealed from view.

The New Yorker

"The reason the NHS has struggled to provide this kind of care, despite very clear signs that it's best for the majority of women, is that NHS midwives are virtually always employed by health trusts," said Francis.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is virtually always" to convey a high degree of probability or near certainty, but acknowledge that rare exceptions might exist. This phrasing adds nuance and credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "is virtually always" when describing situations with frequent exceptions. If exceptions are not rare, consider alternatives like "often" or "usually" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is virtually always" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a high degree of frequency or probability. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to express near-certainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is virtually always" effectively communicates a high degree of probability or near-certainty, suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic writing. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. While it suggests a strong likelihood, it also subtly acknowledges potential exceptions. Alternatives like "is almost always" or "is nearly always" can be used for slight variations in emphasis. Remember to use this phrase when you want to indicate something is highly likely but not absolutely certain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is almost always

Replaces 'virtually' with 'almost', indicating a slightly lower degree of certainty.

is nearly always

Substitutes 'virtually' with 'nearly', conveying a very close-to-complete occurrence.

is practically always

Uses 'practically' instead of 'virtually', suggesting the outcome is consistent in practice.

is in almost every case

Rephrases the idea with 'in almost every case', focusing on individual instances.

is almost without exception

Emphasizes the rarity of exceptions, rather than the frequency.

is consistently

Focuses on the consistency of an event or occurence, removing the sense of high probability.

is generally

A more general term that still indicates a pattern of regularity.

is typically

Indicates a usual or expected behavior, without necessarily implying high frequency.

tends to be

Uses 'tends to be' to suggest a inclination rather than a near-constant state.

is frequently

Focuses on the high number of occurrences rather than the certainty.

FAQs

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

Use "is virtually always" to indicate something that happens in almost all cases, with very few exceptions. For instance, "The museum is virtually always crowded on weekends".

What phrases are similar to "is virtually always"?

You can use alternatives such as "is almost always", "is nearly always", or "is practically always" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is virtually always" in formal writing?

Yes, "is virtually always" is appropriate for formal writing. It conveys a high degree of probability and is suitable for professional and academic contexts.

What's the difference between "is virtually always" and "is always"?

"Is always" implies a 100% certainty with no exceptions, while "is virtually always" suggests a very high probability but acknowledges the possibility of rare exceptions. The phrase "is almost always" could be another viable alternative.