it is virtually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is virtually" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is almost or nearly the case, but not completely so. Example: "The project is virtually complete, with only a few minor adjustments left to make."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is virtually untraceable.

The Guardian

That said, it is virtually gore free.

The New York Times

It is virtually a recycled lawsuit".

The New York Times

As before, it is virtually devoid of gore.

The New York Times

Unofficially, it is virtually taken for granted he will leave.

Independent

These days, especially downtown, it is virtually impossible.

The New Yorker

Simply in terms of genre, it is virtually unclassifiable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For a kicker it is virtually nothing but waiting around.

The New York Times - Sports

It is virtually 100percentt black and 100percentt poor.

The New York Times

It is virtually inaccessible, strewn with trees and long grass.

The New York Times - Travel

Excavated in 1912, it is virtually unknown outside academic circles.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is virtually" to convey that something is nearly the case, but with a slight reservation or qualification. This adds nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it is virtually" when something is, in fact, completely true. Using it in such cases weakens your statement and can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is virtually" functions as an adverbial modifier, qualifying the verb and indicating a state that is almost, but not entirely, true. As seen in Ludwig, it's used to express approximation or near equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is virtually" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating something is close to being true, but not entirely so. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedia entries. Remember to use it to soften statements rather than overstating facts. Alternatives include "it is almost" or "it is essentially", depending on the precise nuance you want to convey. By using "it is virtually" judiciously, writers can add precision and accuracy to their language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is practically

Replaces "virtually" with "practically", emphasizing the functional equivalence.

it is almost

Uses "almost" for a more direct synonym of "virtually".

it is nearly

Employs "nearly" as another close synonym, indicating a slight difference.

it is essentially

Substitutes "virtually" with "essentially", highlighting the core nature of the situation.

it is effectively

Replaces "virtually" with "effectively", focusing on the practical outcome.

it is tantamount to

Uses "tantamount to" to suggest near equivalence in effect or value.

it is as good as

Expresses that something is functionally equivalent to another.

it borders on

Indicates that something is very close to being something else, often negative.

it comes close to

Shows that something is approaching a certain state or condition.

it is in effect

Highlights the actual or practical result of something.

FAQs

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

Use "it is virtually" to express that something is nearly or almost true, but not entirely so. For example, "The project is "virtually complete", with only minor adjustments remaining."

What are some alternatives to "it is virtually"?

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

Is there a difference between "it is virtually" and "it is essentially"?

While both phrases indicate approximation, "it is virtually" suggests a near or close state, whereas "it is essentially" implies focusing on the fundamental nature. They aren't always interchangeable.

When should I avoid using "it is virtually"?

Avoid using "it is virtually" when the statement is definitively true or false, as it introduces unnecessary ambiguity. Use it only when something is very close to being a certain way, but not quite.