there are virtually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there are virtually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost or nearly the case, often in contexts where something is close to being true but not entirely so. Example: "In this region, there are virtually no trees left due to deforestation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

There are virtually no nonwhites.

The New York Times

There are virtually no independent witnesses.

The Economist

There are virtually no poor whites.

The New Yorker

There are virtually no liberals.

The Guardian

There are virtually no sneakers.

The New Yorker

(There are virtually no landfills here).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"There's virtually no signage.

The New York Times

"There is virtually no crime.

The New Yorker

There is virtually no unemployment.

The Economist

There was virtually no interactivity.

The New York Times

"There's virtually none".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there are virtually" to convey that something is nearly absent or practically nonexistent, adding a nuance that it's not strictly zero but close to it.

Common error

Avoid using "there are virtually" when something is completely absent. Reserve it for situations where a trace or minimal presence might still exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are virtually" functions as a quantifier, indicating a near absence or extreme scarcity. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in various contexts to express that something is practically non-existent. It softens the statement compared to saying "there are none."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there are virtually" is a versatile phrase used to express near absence or extreme scarcity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When writing, remember that this phrase is best used when something is nearly absent, rather than entirely nonexistent. Alternatives like "there are almost no" and "there are practically no" can provide similar meanings. Its frequency and neutral tone make it appropriate for diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there are almost no

Replaces "virtually" with "almost no", emphasizing the near absence.

there are practically no

Substitutes "virtually" with "practically no", highlighting a real-world absence.

there are hardly any

Employs "hardly any" instead of "virtually", indicating a small quantity or number.

there are essentially no

Uses "essentially no" to underscore the fundamental absence of something.

there are just about no

Replaces "virtually" with "just about no", indicating a close-to-zero quantity.

there are next to no

Substitutes "virtually" with "next to no", conveying a minimal amount.

there is a scarcity of

Changes the structure to emphasize scarcity rather than absence.

few if any

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest that something is rare or nonexistent.

almost nonexistent

Shifts to an adjective phrase indicating something barely exists.

scarcely any

Replaces "virtually" with "scarcely any", indicating a small quantity or degree.

FAQs

How can I use "there are virtually" in a sentence?

Use "there are virtually" to indicate that something is almost non-existent or present in a very small quantity. For example, "there are virtually no rules" or "there are virtually no marketing costs."

What can I say instead of "there are virtually"?

You can use alternatives like "there are almost no", "there are practically no", or "there are hardly any" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "there are virtually no" or "there are almost no"?

Both "there are virtually no" and "there are almost no" are acceptable. "Virtually" suggests a situation that is so close to being true that it can be considered true for all practical purposes. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "there are virtually no" and "there are none"?

"There are none" indicates a complete absence. "There are virtually no" suggests an almost complete absence, implying that there might be a minimal presence, but it is negligible. Therefore, "there are virtually no" softens the statement compared to "there are none".