virgin land

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virgin land" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe land that has not been populated or cultivated by humans before. For example: "The settlers found a vast expanse of virgin land when they first arrived to the new world".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They soon ran out of virgin land.

The New Yorker

"Here it is virgin land.

The New York Times

"It's beautiful, virgin land up there".

The New York Times

Elsewhere farmers may encroach on forests or other virgin land.

The Economist

It was Indians, not whites, who transformed "virgin land".

The New York Times - Books

Some put available virgin land at only 10-12% of the current total, not over 30%.

The Economist

There is some room for expansion onto virgin land, but not much.

The Economist

Its giant, hypermarket-style "supercentres" and "discount stores" chew up virgin land and spread suburban blight.

The Economist

But Dominion's territory on the Marcellus shale is largely virgin land.

The New York Times

There is some virgin land left, as well as room for improvements in farm yields.

The Economist

The reform aimed at legalizing existing squatter holdings, preventing further squatting, and conserving virgin land.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In historical narratives, the term is effective for describing frontiers, though modern writers should acknowledge the indigenous presence often ignored by this label.

Common error

Do not use "virgin land" to describe a field that is simply resting between harvests. Fallow land has been worked before, whereas "virgin land" has never been touched by a plow.

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, "virgin land" acts as a compound noun phrase where 'virgin' functions as an attributive adjective modifying the noun 'land'. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a standard English expression used frequently in both descriptive and technical prose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "virgin land" is a robust and versatile phrase used to describe territory that has remained untouched by human intervention or agriculture. Data from Ludwig AI demonstrates that the phrase is a staple in high-quality journalism and scientific literature, appearing in outlets like The New York Times and The Economist. While it carries a historical weight—often associated with frontier expansion and the 'Virgin Lands Campaign' in the Soviet Union—its modern usage remains prevalent in environmental science and urban development. It is grammatically sound and serves as a precise descriptor for ecosystems in their primary, unworked state. Writers should choose this term to emphasize the historical or ecological 'first-time' status of land, while considering alternatives like "greenfield land" for more specific industrial or planning contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

untouched land

Uses a more literal adjective to describe the lack of human impact.

pristine land

Emphasizes the pure, clean and original state of the area.

unsettled territory

Focuses specifically on the absence of human residents or established communities.

greenfield land

A technical term often used in urban planning to denote land not previously built upon.

unspoiled wilderness

Adds a stronger environmental connotation, implying beauty and ecological value.

raw land

Common in real estate to describe land without utilities or infrastructure.

undeveloped property

A more formal and business-oriented way to describe unworked land.

primeval landscape

Suggests a state belonging to the earliest ages of the world.

maiden soil

A poetic variation focusing on the earth's potential for its first harvest.

fallow ground

Technically refers to land left unseeded, but used figuratively for potential.

FAQs

What is the meaning of virgin land?

The term "virgin land" refers to land that remains in its natural state and has not been cultivated, populated, or developed by humans. It is often synonymous with "untouched land".

Can I use virgin land in a professional report?

Yes, though in urban planning and real estate, you might prefer more technical terms like "greenfield land" or "undeveloped land" depending on the specific focus.

Is it better to say pristine land or virgin land?

It depends on the nuance you want. "pristine land" emphasizes the beauty and purity of the environment, while "virgin land" focuses on the fact that it has never been exploited or worked.

How is virgin land used in history?

In a historical context, "virgin land" often describes the vast expanses of the American West or the Soviet Union's agricultural campaigns. It implies a place of infinite promise and a "new frontier" for pioneers.