virtually accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost or nearly accurate, but not completely so, often in contexts where precision is important. Example: "The simulation provided a virtually accurate representation of the real-world scenario, allowing us to make informed decisions based on the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Strangely, the experience is so virtually accurate, that it seems to work, at least somewhat.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They're available at virtually any pharmacy and can help ensure you'll get the most accurate cut.

Huffington Post

Use of two one-point calibrations per day before meals was virtually as accurate as three one-point calibrations.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

All of this material was then fed into architectural models to virtually replicate accurate walkthroughs of the restricted spaces.

Vice

Those medical results, with virtually 100% accurate lab work by the county hospital, were officially released in late May.

Huffington Post

The Danish Civil Registration System is virtually 100% accurate, which also applies to the date of death.

Clinical Epidemiology

The proposed tool consists of two digital cameras, a head-mounted display, a processor, and two markers that enable the user to virtually see the accurate location of any proposed object in the real world.

Automation in Construction

With computerized record linkage to the National Death Registry, the ascertainment for the occurrence and date of death is virtually complete and accurate for all cause mortality.

BMC Geriatrics

With this infrastructure in place, we believe that HA has virtually complete and accurate data capture of all inpatient episodes in the public sector and therefore can be taken as a reliable "gold-standard" in this audit exercise, much more so than in the case of most other countries with more complicated systems involving financial intermediaries, free care or otherwise unrecorded episodes.

BMC Health Services Research

Experts virtually all agree that accurate photo identification requires full-frontal images, as in a passport or driver's license.

The Guardian

But the ups and downs of the bidding pattern, not clearly connected with the intrinsic merit of the works being offered, indicate that the market remains haphazard, making reasonably accurate predictions virtually impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually accurate" when you want to convey that something is very close to being accurate, but with a slight reservation. This is useful in scientific reports or technical descriptions where absolute precision is difficult to achieve.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually accurate" when the subject is definitively precise. If something is verified to be completely accurate, using "virtually accurate" introduces unnecessary doubt and weakens your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually accurate" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun by indicating its level of accuracy. Based on Ludwig AI, this indicates a high degree of correctness with a slight reservation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually accurate" is a useful way to describe something that is almost, but not quite, completely accurate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains. While it is essential to avoid overstating accuracy, "virtually accurate" serves as a valuable qualifier when absolute precision cannot be guaranteed. Remember to choose alternatives like "nearly accurate" or "almost precise" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly accurate

Emphasizes that something is close to being accurate, but not entirely so.

almost precise

Suggests a level of precision that is just shy of perfect.

practically correct

Highlights the functional correctness of something, even if it's not technically perfect.

essentially true

Indicates that the core of something is true, even if there are minor inaccuracies.

substantially correct

Implies that the major aspects are correct, with only small errors.

largely precise

Denotes that precision is present in most parts.

effectively accurate

Highlights the functionality of the accuracy even if it's not 100% accurate.

close to exact

This suggests it's very near to being exact without achieving perfection.

accurate enough

Highlights how the accuracy is sufficient for a purpose.

near perfect

Almost flawless but still not perfect

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually accurate" to describe something that is very close to being accurate but not completely so. For instance: "The simulation provided a "virtually accurate" representation of the real-world scenario".

What are some alternatives to "virtually accurate"?

Some alternatives include "nearly accurate", "almost precise", or "practically correct" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "virtually accurate" or "completely accurate"?

Use "completely accurate" when there is no doubt about the accuracy. Use "virtually accurate" when there may be a small margin of error or uncertainty.

What's the difference between "virtually accurate" and "roughly accurate"?

"Virtually accurate" implies a high degree of precision, close to perfect. "Roughly accurate" suggests only an approximate level of correctness. The choice depends on the level of precision you want to convey.