is virtually constant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is virtually constant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that remains mostly unchanged or stable over time, with only minor variations. Example: "The temperature in the lab is virtually constant, ensuring accurate experimental results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The reason they can't do it is that the supply of liquor is constant, the demand is constant, and hence the sale is virtually constant.

The New Yorker

A characteristic feature of diamagnetism is that the magnetic moment per unit mass in a given field is virtually constant for a given substance over a very wide range of temperatures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At high temperatures, the DSC signal is virtually constant.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Spectral correlation is based on the assumption that the color difference is virtually constant in a flat area.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The minimum capacitance is virtually constant from 475 to 750°C; it is relatively high ≈48 μF/cm2, possibly the result of the polarisability of the silver ions.

Electrochimica Acta

To determine whether a circannual rhythm in the flow rate of unstimulated whole saliva could be detected in persons living in a region of Sri Lanka where the average monthly temperature is virtually constant throughout the year.

Archives of Oral Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Live Aid 13 July 1985 Although the ABC network televised an edited version of the Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia to American homes, MTV's broadcast was virtually constant and helped to communicate the event's philanthropic message to younger music fans.

Independent

The acid value for the samples that contained mineral diesel was virtually constant.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

In the churn-turbulent regime the holdup of the small bubbles was found to be virtually constant.

Chemical Engineering Science

During the recovery phase, the magnetic flux was virtually constant at a low level, about the same as that before the substorm.

Earth, Planets and Space

Transmission electron microscopic observation revealed that the nano-oxide particles near the bonding interface were uniformly distributed in the matrix and that the chemical composition across the bonding interface was virtually constant.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is virtually constant", ensure that the context supports the slight degree of variation implied by "virtually". If absolute constancy is meant, consider using "is constant" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "is virtually constant" when the subject experiences significant fluctuations. The term implies a high degree of stability, so ensure your description aligns with the actual behavior of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is virtually constant" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun's state or value remains mostly unchanged. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

88%

News & Media

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is virtually constant" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in scientific and academic contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a state where something remains mostly unchanged, with only minor variations. Key considerations include ensuring the context supports the implied degree of stability and avoiding its use when significant fluctuations occur. Alternatives like "is nearly constant" or "remains almost constant" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. When you want to emphasize the unvarying nature of something, "is virtually constant" serves as precise and effective language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is nearly constant

Replaces "virtually" with "nearly", indicating a slight difference in the degree of constancy.

is practically constant

Substitutes "virtually" with "practically", suggesting constancy in practical terms.

remains almost constant

Uses "remains" to emphasize duration and replaces "virtually" with "almost", indicating a slight deviation.

stays relatively constant

Employs "stays" to highlight the state of being and includes "relatively" for a more nuanced constancy.

is essentially unchanged

Focuses on the lack of change rather than constancy, implying a high degree of similarity over time.

is substantially stable

Replaces "constant" with "stable" and "virtually" with "substantially", indicating a significant level of stability.

exhibits minimal variation

Shifts focus to the limited amount of change, rather than the state of being constant.

shows little fluctuation

Highlights the lack of significant variation over time.

is effectively fixed

Emphasizes the fixed nature of the subject, implying minimal change or movement.

is invariant

Uses a more technical term meaning unchanging under specified conditions or transformations.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is virtually constant" is used to describe something that remains mostly unchanged. For example, "The temperature in the room "is virtually constant", making it ideal for experiments."

What's a synonym for "is virtually constant"?

Alternatives to "is virtually constant" include "is nearly constant", "is practically constant", or "remains almost constant", each implying a slightly different degree of stability.

Is it correct to say "is virtually constant"?

Yes, "is virtually constant" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It indicates that something remains mostly unchanged with only minor variations.

What does "is virtually constant" mean?

The phrase "is virtually constant" means that something is almost always the same, showing very little change or variation over a period or across different conditions.