occur virtually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occur virtually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or situations that happen in a digital or online context rather than in a physical space. Example: "Meetings can occur virtually, allowing participants from different locations to join without traveling."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

As more music connections occur virtually, direct contact is sought at shows.

The Guardian - Music

Thrushes occur virtually worldwide but are most diverse in the Old World, especially in Africa.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rather than requiring everyone to be in the same place at the same time, extended collaboration can occur virtually.

Harvard Business Review

House rats and mice of Old World origin now occur virtually throughout the world and each year cause substantial damage and economic loss.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Natural fractals — irregular, self-similar geometry — occur virtually everywhere in nature: in coastlines and riverways, in snowflakes and leaf veins, even in our own lungs.

The New York Times

These are giant herbs that reach three metres in height or beyond; they have persistent dead leaf bases that insulate the water-containing tissues of the stem from freezing conditions that can occur virtually every night in their very high (up to 4,300 metres), dry environments.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Flooding occurs virtually every summer in China.

The New York Times

When they get together for a forum or debate -- and this occurs virtually on an hourly basis -- you are looking at 96 years in local politics.

The New York Times

Killings, disappearances and abductions are occurring virtually on a daily basis; those targeted are mostly Tamil human rights activists, journalists or aid workers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Further, in this event we find that the growth phase arc shows wavelike azimuthal structuring and a brightening that occurs virtually simultaneously along the entire length of the arc that is within the ASI field of view.

Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics

But the transmission lines are the arteries of the system, carrying electricity to users around the country, and the Iraqi government report reveals that sabotage to the lines has occurred virtually everywhere -- in Mosul, Kirkuk and Baiji in the north, in Basra and Nasiriya in the south, in Haditha in the west and in Baghdad itself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "occur virtually", ensure the context clearly indicates that the event or situation is happening in almost every instance or place, but not necessarily every single one without exception.

Common error

Avoid using "occur virtually" when the event only happens in a majority of cases, but not nearly all. Overstating the universality can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occur virtually" functions as a verb phrase, modifying the verb "occur" to indicate a high degree of frequency or near universality. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "occur virtually" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies something happens in almost every instance or location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including scientific, news, and general media. While it conveys a high degree of frequency, it's crucial to ensure the context supports this near-universal occurrence to avoid overstating its prevalence. Its function is to modify the verb "occur", indicating something happens in almost every situation or place, suggesting a strong likelihood or regularity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically happen

This alternative replaces "virtually" with "practically", suggesting that something happens in a real or functional sense.

almost happen

This alternative replaces "virtually" with "almost", indicating a slightly lower degree of certainty or completeness.

essentially occur

This alternative uses "essentially" instead of "virtually", highlighting the fundamental nature of the occurrence.

nearly transpire

This uses "nearly" to soften the occurrence and "transpire" as a more formal synonym for "occur".

effectively take place

This alternative uses "effectively take place", emphasizing the result or impact of the occurrence.

in effect happen

This alternative uses "in effect" to convey the practical consequence of something happening.

amount to happening

This alternative expresses that the situation is equivalent to something taking place.

come close to occurring

This alternative emphasizes that something nearly happened, but may not have fully materialized.

be tantamount to happening

This alternative uses "tantamount" to describe something as virtually equal to happening.

be virtually present

This modifies the phrase to focus on the presence rather than the occurrence, indicating something exists in a practical sense.

FAQs

How can I use "occur virtually" in a sentence?

You can use "occur virtually" to describe something that happens in almost every instance. For example, "Flooding "occurs virtually" every summer in China".

What does "occur virtually" mean?

The phrase "occur virtually" means to happen in almost every situation or place. It implies a very high frequency or near-universal presence.

What are some alternatives to "occur virtually"?

Alternatives include phrases like "almost happen", "practically happen", or "essentially occur" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "occur virtually" and "occur actually"?

"Occur virtually" implies almost every instance, whereas "occur actually" indicates a confirmed, factual occurrence. The former suggests a high likelihood or near-certainty, while the latter confirms a real event.