virtually

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "virtually" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb that can be used to indicate that something is almost the case or nearly true, or is only slightly different from something else. Example sentence: "I can virtually guarantee that the project will be a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the second day of hearings on Tuesday, the judges described the two-year-old law as fundamentally changing the relationship between the individual and the government, giving Congress virtually unlimited power to force people to buy products for their own good.

The Guardian

The UK is covered by five virtually independent networks due to the government's early attempts to ensure competition in the industry.

The Guardian

We can only have virtually the same level of social security if we try to generate growth and jobs – not by having immigration into social systems.

The Guardian

He adds: "Sales volumes are currently so low that the monthly house price statistics from any one single lender are virtually meaningless, and if you look at Nationwide's latest quarterly data, it in fact shows a 4% decline on the previous quarter".

The Guardian - Business

By the time I'd reached my spotlight it had virtually stopped.

The Guardian

The last licence fee final negotiations were hair-raisingly negotiated with virtually no civil service participation – and now the department has lost half its staff.

The Guardian

Simeone wanted to sign Torres last summer; six months later he has succeeded for a price that makes it virtually a no-risk move.

The Guardian - Sport

Invitations to consult, or to No 10 dinners, were virtually non-existent.

The Guardian

You could learn a lot from watching Barry; he could turn his hand to virtually any part (I saw him play Father Christmas and Othello in the same month).

The Guardian

Following publication two weeks ago of proposals for the Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Plan SNH virtually admitted defeat by stating that using words such as "pure" in respect of the Scottish wildcat "may not be helpful in conservation terms".

The Guardian - Opinion

Labour and the Conservatives are still virtually tied when it comes to the race for largest party.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually" to convey a sense of near-completion or approximation, especially when precision isn't critical. For example, "The project is virtually finished" suggests it's in its final stages.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually" when the situation is definitively true or false. Saying "It's virtually certain" when there's concrete proof weakens your statement. Choose stronger, more direct language when you have solid evidence.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "virtually" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating approximation or near equivalence. Ludwig's examples showcase its ability to temper claims, suggesting something is true in effect, though not necessarily in fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually" functions as an adverb that signifies approximation or near equivalence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's essential to use it accurately to avoid overstatements, it serves as a valuable tool for expressing near certainty or substantial similarity. When aiming to convey a sense of 'almost' or 'nearly', "virtually" offers a nuanced alternative to more definitive terms. Related alternatives include "almost", "nearly", and "practically".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost

Indicates a state that is close to being true or complete, but not entirely so.

nearly

Similar to 'almost', suggesting a close approach to a particular state or condition.

practically

Implies that something is true or effective in most relevant ways, though not perfectly.

in effect

Indicates that something is true in its consequences or practical results, even if not formally.

essentially

Highlights the fundamental nature of something, even if minor details differ.

more or less

Suggests a general agreement or similarity, allowing for minor discrepancies.

pretty much

An informal way to say that something is mostly true or accurate.

to all intents and purposes

A formal way of saying that something is true in all practical respects.

just about

Indicates that something is very close to being the case.

approaching

Indicates something is moving closer to a specified condition or state.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually" to mean 'almost' or 'nearly'. For instance, "The presentation was "virtually perfect"" means it was very close to being perfect.

What words are similar to "virtually"?

Synonyms for "virtually" include "almost", "nearly", and "practically". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "virtually the same"?

Yes, "virtually the same" is a common and correct usage. It indicates that things are almost identical, differing only in minor details. For example, "The two reports were "virtually the same"".

What is the difference between "virtually" and "literally"?

"Virtually" means 'almost' or 'nearly', while "literally" means 'in a literal manner or sense; exactly'. They have opposite meanings, so avoid using them interchangeably. Saying "I "literally died" laughing" should only be used if you actually ceased to live, while saying "I "virtually died" laughing" means you almost did.