this is virtually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is virtually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost or nearly the case, but not completely so. Example: "This is virtually the same as the previous model, with only minor updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

This is virtually impossible.

The Economist

This is virtually incoherent.

The New York Times - Books

This is virtually a recipe for good audiobook listening.

The New York Times - Books

In some cases, this is virtually impossible to see.

The Economist

This is virtually unknown to the American public, thanks to the freest media on earth.

The Guardian

Its notable, however, that this is virtually meaningless without any funding commitment.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

They know from experience that when immigrants are afraid contact with police will lead to deportation, many will hesitate to come forward when they are victims or witnesses of crimes--this is virtually guaranteed under SB1070.

Huffington Post

In the 1950s this was virtually unknown in the north.

The Economist

This was virtually unchanged from the May survey.

The Washington Post

"I think this was virtually inevitable and probably will clear the air," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

This was virtually agreed with unions as the price of maintaining a guaranteed retirement scheme.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is virtually", ensure the context clarifies the nature and extent of the similarity. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "this is virtually" when there are significant differences. Reserve it for situations where the distinction is minor or inconsequential to the overall point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is virtually" functions as a qualifier, softening a statement to indicate that something is nearly or almost the case, rather than completely so. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

23%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is virtually" is a versatile qualifier used to express a near-equivalence or strong similarity, but not an exact match. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It is particularly valuable for precise communication where acknowledging slight differences is important. When using it, be sure to clarify the extent of the similarity to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is practically

Replaces "virtually" with "practically", implying a high degree of similarity or equivalence.

this is almost

Substitutes "virtually" with "almost", suggesting a near approximation.

this is nearly

Replaces "virtually" with "nearly", indicating a close resemblance.

this is effectively

Uses "effectively" to convey that the outcome is the same as if it were true.

this is essentially

Replaces "virtually" with "essentially", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the similarity.

this is tantamount to

Indicates that something is almost equivalent to something else, often with negative connotations.

this is in effect

Implies that something has the same result or impact as something else.

this is much like

Uses a simile structure to draw a comparison, indicating a strong resemblance.

this is as good as

Indicates that something is nearly the same in value or effect.

this is as close as it gets to

Highlights the extreme similarity, suggesting it is the closest possible match.

FAQs

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

"This is virtually" is used to express that something is nearly or almost the same as something else. For example, "This new software is virtually identical to the old version" means that they are very similar but not exactly the same.

What phrases can I use instead of "this is virtually"?

Alternatives to "this is virtually" include phrases like "this is almost", "this is nearly", or "this is practically", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "this is virtually" and "this is actually"?

"This is virtually" suggests something is almost true or the same, whereas "this is actually" asserts something is definitively true or real. The former implies approximation, the latter affirmation.

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

Yes, "this is virtually" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to indicate a close similarity without claiming exact equivalence. The appropriateness always depends on the specific context and the need for precision.