virtually absent

USAGE SUMMARY

"virtually absent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is almost absent or lacking in a particular area. For example, "The public education system has been virtually absent in a number of low-income communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Personal details are virtually absent.

The New York Times

Civilian politicians have been virtually absent.

The New York Times

The Purkinje isoform Dp427p was virtually absent.

Nature

For x=0.22 and 0.33 this effect was virtually absent.

Acta Materialia

Bees were virtually absent from the cereal crop (0.2 ± 0.1).

Biological Conservation

Soil is virtually absent on rocky peaks and ridges.

Britannica

Cement structures were virtually absent in its unforgiving desert.

Harvard Business Review

Women from minority groups are "virtually absent," it adds.

The New York Times - Science

Women from minorities are "virtually absent," it adds.

The New York Times - Science

Saúl, so impressive under Luis Enrique, was virtually absent.

The Guardian - Sport

Foreign policy is virtually absent from the election campaign.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually absent" to precisely convey that something is almost entirely lacking but might still have a trace presence. This avoids the absolute finality of saying something is completely absent.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually absent" when something is truly and completely gone. "Virtually absent" implies a minute presence or effect, whereas absolute absence means there is nothing left.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually absent" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically an intensifier qualifying the adjective 'absent'. It describes the extent to which something is not present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

49%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually absent" functions as an adverbial modifier denoting a state of near non-existence or extreme scarcity. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse sources, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for both analytical and descriptive contexts. While the phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news-related articles, alternative phrasings such as "almost nonexistent" or "scarcely present" may be used to add nuances to the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nonexistent

Emphasizes that something exists to such a small degree that it is negligible.

practically nonexistent

Similar to "almost nonexistent", but perhaps implying a slightly greater chance of detection.

nearly lacking

Highlights the deficiency or shortage of something, close to being completely without it.

scarcely present

Indicates a minimal presence, suggesting that something is barely there.

all but gone

Indicates that something is very close to disappearing completely.

effectively missing

Suggests that for all practical purposes, something is not there.

barely there

A more informal way to describe something with minimal presence.

for all intents and purposes absent

A more formal way of saying something is absent in effect, if not in reality.

conspicuously absent

Emphasizes the noticeable nature of something's absence.

tantamount to nonexistence

A stronger, more formal way to say that something's existence is negligible.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually absent" to describe something that is nearly, but not completely, missing. For example, "Soil is "virtually absent" on rocky peaks and ridges."

What's a good alternative to "virtually absent"?

Alternatives include "almost nonexistent", "scarcely present", or "effectively missing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "virtually absent" or should I say "actually absent"?

The choice depends on the context. "Virtually absent" implies a near absence, while "actually absent" indicates a complete absence. For instance, if bees are "virtually absent" from a crop, there might be a few, but very few. If they're actually absent, there are none.

What does "virtually absent" mean?

"Virtually absent" means something is so close to being completely gone that it is as if it were not there at all. It suggests a very minimal presence or effect.