it is virtually certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is virtually certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a high level of confidence or probability regarding a statement or outcome. Example: "Based on the evidence presented, it is virtually certain that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the future, the report said, "it is virtually certain" that coastal headlands, spits and barrier islands will erode faster than they have in the past.

The New York Times - Science

—It is virtually certain that increases in the frequency of warm daily temperature extremes and decreases in cold extremes will occur throughout the 21st century on a global scale.

The New York Times

In July, a team of international scientists brought together by Climate Central concluded that "it is virtually certain" that the heat wave that struck Europe in early July was more likely now due to climate change.

Vice

It is virtually certain, he added, that Lionsgate will remain involved with OddLot.

The New York Times

It is virtually certain that David Cameron, the 38-year-old shadow education secretary, will run.

The Economist

Second, it is virtually certain that tokamak fusion as represented by ITER will not be practical.

The New York Times

It is virtually certain to pass, despite the opposition of the United States and a handful of other nations.

The New York Times

METROSTARS It is virtually certain that GIOVANNI SAVARESE will be brought in to replace the injured CLINT MATHIS.

The New York Times - Sports

It is virtually certain not to be enough to satisfy all the people who lost money on Enron, though.

The New York Times

"It is virtually certain that the result is qualitatively correct, unless general relativity breaks down," Dr. Trimble said.

The New York Times - Science

It is virtually certain that the version that will clear the Senate will be the one without the death penalty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When something is likely, yet not at 99% probability, alternatives like "it is very likely" might be a better choice.

Common error

Avoid using "it is virtually certain" when the situation still involves significant unknowns or variables. Ensure your level of confidence aligns with the available evidence to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is virtually certain" functions as an epistemic marker, signaling a high degree of confidence in a statement. As Ludwig AI corroborates, it's used to express a very strong belief about the likelihood of an event or the truth of a claim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is virtually certain" is a phrase used to express a high degree of confidence or probability. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across varied contexts, especially in News & Media and Scientific domains. While versatile, it's crucial to align the strength of the statement with the available evidence, as highlighted in the writing guidance, and to avoid overstating the certainty when unknowns are present. Alternatives like "it is almost certain" or "it is very likely" may be more appropriate in situations with slightly less assurance. Considering its prevalence in authoritative sources, using "it is virtually certain" can add weight to your claims, provided it's done responsibly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is almost certain

Uses 'almost' instead of 'virtually', softening the degree of certainty slightly.

it is nearly certain

Replaces 'virtually' with 'nearly', indicating a very high probability.

it is practically certain

Substitutes 'virtually' with 'practically', suggesting certainty based on practical considerations.

it is all but certain

Emphasizes that the outcome is extremely likely, with very little doubt remaining.

it is highly probable

Replaces 'certain' with 'probable', shifting the emphasis to a strong likelihood.

it is very likely

Expresses a strong possibility, though perhaps with slightly less force than "it is virtually certain".

it is a foregone conclusion

Indicates that the outcome is inevitable and predetermined.

it is assured

A more concise way of expressing certainty about an outcome.

it is a given

Suggests that something is assumed to be true or will definitely happen.

it is beyond doubt

Emphasizes the lack of any uncertainty or question about something.

FAQs

What does "it is virtually certain" mean?

The phrase "it is virtually certain" expresses a very high degree of confidence or probability. It suggests that something is almost guaranteed to happen or be true based on the available evidence.

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

You can use "it is virtually certain" to introduce a statement you believe is highly likely. For example, "It is virtually certain that the project will be completed on time, given the current progress."

What are some alternatives to "it is virtually certain"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is almost certain", "it is highly likely", or "it is a foregone conclusion" depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is virtually certain" stronger than "it is very likely"?

Yes, "it is virtually certain" generally implies a stronger degree of confidence than "it is very likely". "Virtually certain" suggests a near-absolute certainty, while "very likely" indicates a high probability but with more room for doubt.