is virtually equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is virtually equal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing measurements, values, or comparisons that are very close to each other but not exactly the same. Example: "In terms of performance, the two models are virtually equal, making it difficult to choose between them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

That time is virtually equal to that of a Mustang Boss 302, which requires a 5-liter V-8 and 129 additional horses to do it.

The New York Times

Nor are players drawn to the West by lower local income taxes: thanks to the double-digit levies in California and Oregon, the average state and municipal tax burden in the West is virtually equal to that of the East (excluding Canada's Toronto Raptors).

The Economist

The gain matrix is virtually equal to the identity matrix, indicating a correct separation.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The higher chlorinated homologues account for 39% of ∑TEq, Q H with 0.03 is virtually equal to that of cropland, with a ratio of lcH to hcH (3:97) in grassland being identical to that of cropland (cf. Table 5).

Environmental Sciences Europe

The next tooth, m2, is similar to m1 in most respects, but the width at the front is virtually equal to the width at the back, so that the tooth is about rectangular.

Wikipedia

The strand-specific location of antisense transcripts on pSymB shows a slight preference for the minus strand, whereas it is virtually equal on the remaining replicons.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But he was virtually equal with Farage amongst the under 25s.

The Guardian

Henceforth, the naval strengths of the Japanese and of the Allies were virtually equal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This study found that the risk of both fatal and nonfatal heart attacks with smokeless tobacco use was virtually equal to the risk with cigarette use.

The New York Times

Obviously, from the view of air interface reliability, the effects of C-plane and U-plane on outage probability are virtually equal.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

From the above theoretical analysis and simulation, it is easy to find that in terms of the air interface reliability, the effects of C-plane and U-plane on outage probability are virtually equal.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is virtually equal", ensure that the context clearly indicates what aspects are being compared and why the slight difference is not significant. This clarifies the intended meaning and prevents misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "is virtually equal" when there are noticeable or important differences between the items being compared. Ensure that the differences are negligible for the given context; otherwise, choose a phrase that reflects the actual degree of similarity more accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is virtually equal" functions as a comparative expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It describes a state where two or more things are almost, but not perfectly, the same. This phrase is used to highlight a close similarity, often implying that any difference is negligible or insignificant within the given context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is virtually equal" is a comparative expression used to indicate a high degree of similarity between two or more entities, acknowledging that minor differences may exist but are not significant in the given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable. It's found across various domains, including science, news, encyclopedias, and general media, thus indicating a neutral to formal register. To ensure clarity, specify the aspects under comparison and verify that any deviations are indeed negligible. As seen in the examples given by Ludwig, this phrase helps to convey almost perfect similarity, highlighting the shared aspects over minor variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is almost identical

This implies a very high degree of similarity, bordering on exactness, but not quite there.

is nearly equivalent

This suggests a strong degree of correspondence or interchangeability.

is practically the same

This suggests that for all practical purposes, the two things being compared are indistinguishable.

is effectively equivalent

This emphasizes the actual result or impact being similar, even if the methods or initial conditions are different.

is substantially similar

This highlights the major aspects being alike, with only minor differences.

is comparable to

This suggests that both terms are similar and can be compared without major differences.

is on par with

This indicates equality in terms of quality, status, or performance.

approximates to

This emphasizes the imprecision, but also highlights a high degree of similarity.

is roughly equivalent

Suggests an estimation that lacks precision, but indicates a similar magnitude or effect.

is more or less equal

This conveys a slight lack of exactness, indicating a small margin of difference.

FAQs

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

You can use "is virtually equal" to compare two values or metrics that are very close but not exactly the same. For example, "The performance of the two systems "is virtually equal", making the choice difficult."

What phrases are similar to "is virtually equal"?

Similar phrases include "is almost identical", "is nearly equivalent", or "is practically the same". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "is virtually equal" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific and technical contexts where precise comparisons are common. Be sure the context supports the claim of near-equivalence.

What's the difference between "is virtually equal" and "is exactly equal"?

"Is virtually equal" implies a very small difference exists, while "is exactly equal" means there is no difference at all. Use "is virtually equal" when the difference is negligible or irrelevant for the situation.