virtually all

USAGE SUMMARY

"virtually all" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that almost the entirety of something is the case, but not quite the entirety. For example, "Virtually all of the students achieved a passing grade".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today, virtually all do.

The New Yorker

Virtually all the states do this already.

The New York Times

China and Taiwan both claim virtually all the sea.

The Economist

"They agree on virtually all the issues.

The New York Times

Virtually all the bodies had been incinerated.

The New York Times

Virtually all the Japanese were wiped out.

The New York Times - Books

Virtually all the rest are suburban.

Forbes

Virtually all the employees stayed with Nirvanix.

TechCrunch

Virtually all leave tips.

The New York Times - Food

Virtually all Andorrans are literate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Virtually all have complicated genealogies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually all" to convey that something applies to almost every member of a group or aspect of a situation, but acknowledge the possibility of rare exceptions. It's stronger than "most" but less absolute than "all".

Common error

Avoid using "virtually all" when there are significant exceptions to the rule. If a substantial portion doesn't fit the statement, consider using "most", "many", or another more appropriate quantifier.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually all" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that nearly every member of a group or aspect of a situation is included. It's used to express a high degree of inclusiveness while acknowledging the possibility of rare exceptions, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

18%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually all" is a widely accepted and frequently used quantifier in written English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies a high degree of inclusiveness while allowing for rare exceptions. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, including news, scientific writing, and general communication. While similar to phrases like "almost every" or "nearly all", it's crucial to avoid overstating claims by using it when significant exceptions exist. Remember to use "virtually all" to indicate near-completeness rather than absolute certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost every

This alternative replaces "virtually" with "almost" and "all" with "every", emphasizing individual items within the whole.

nearly all

This substitutes "virtually" for "nearly", creating a very similar meaning with a slight shift in emphasis.

practically all

This uses "practically" in place of "virtually", suggesting a real-world or functional completeness.

for the most part

This phrase expresses that something is mainly true, but not absolutely.

the vast majority

This uses a noun phrase to indicate a large portion, focusing on the size of the group.

almost without exception

This emphasizes the rarity of exceptions, highlighting the completeness of the statement.

close to all

This alternative highlights the proximity to being all-encompassing.

with few exceptions

This highlights that there are few exceptions of the situation described.

by and large

This phrase means generally or on the whole, conveying a sense of overall truth.

in almost every case

This alternative focuses on individual instances or cases, emphasizing how frequently something occurs.

FAQs

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

Use "virtually all" to indicate that almost every member of a group or aspect of a situation is affected, but acknowledge the possibility of exceptions. For example, "Virtually all students passed the exam" implies that a very high percentage passed, but not necessarily 100%.

What phrases are similar to "virtually all"?

Alternatives include "almost every", "nearly all", "practically all", and "the vast majority". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "virtually all" or "almost all"?

Both "virtually all" and "almost all" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. "Virtually all" might imply a slightly higher degree of near-completeness, but the difference is subtle.

When should I avoid using "virtually all"?

Avoid using "virtually all" if there are significant exceptions or if you are trying to make an absolute statement. In those cases, consider using alternatives like "most", "many", or "all", depending on the context.