virtually all of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually all of" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate a very high percentage or near-total amount of something. For example: "Virtually all of the students in the class finished the exam early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Virtually all of them quit.

The New Yorker

Virtually all of the spending benefited Republicans.

The New York Times

Virtually all of them have fled.

The New York Times

virtually all of them are of people.

The Guardian - Books

Virtually all of them tightened immigration access.

The Guardian - Opinion

Japan imports virtually all of its oil.

The New York Times

Virtually all of those run on diesel.

The New York Times

Virtually all of his contributions were anonymous.

The New York Times

Young players, virtually all of them do".

The New York Times - Sports

I have conducted virtually all of the world's orchestras.

The New York Times

Virtually all of them have been traced to northern Germany.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually all of" to convey a sense of near-completeness without claiming absolute totality, allowing for minor exceptions or statistical outliers. For example, "Virtually all of the data supports this conclusion."

Common error

Avoid using "virtually all of" when there are significant exceptions or a substantial portion doesn't fit the description. Saying "virtually all of the students passed" when a third failed is misleading; use a less emphatic phrase instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually all of" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun phrase to indicate that nearly the entire quantity or group being referenced is included. It indicates a high degree of inclusion, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually all of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that nearly the entirety of a group or quantity is being considered. It is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias and science as showed in Ludwig's examples. While subtle differences exist between it and similar phrases like "almost all of" or "nearly all of", "virtually all of" effectively conveys a strong sense of approximation to a complete total. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is suitable for formal writing and should be used when exceptions are minimal. Be mindful of overstating absoluteness; ensure the context aligns with the phrase's intended meaning. The phrase enjoys usage across various reputable sources, and can be safely included in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost all of

Indicates a quantity that is slightly less emphatic than "virtually all of", suggesting a very small exception.

nearly all of

Similar to "almost all of", implying a slight deficiency from a complete total.

practically all of

Suggests that for all practical purposes, the statement is true, even if not technically 100% accurate.

substantially all of

Implies that the majority is significant and meaningful, although perhaps not the entirety.

the vast majority of

Focuses on the majority being large and significant, rather than emphasizing the closeness to a full total.

in effect all of

Highlights the actual result or consequence, even if the nominal quantity isn't perfectly complete.

for all intents and purposes all of

A more formal and emphatic way of saying "practically all of", stressing the practical truth of the statement.

all but all of

Emphasizes the nearness to a complete total, suggesting only a minor exception.

pretty much all of

A more informal way to express that nearly everything is included.

in essence all of

Highlights the core or fundamental aspect being nearly complete.

FAQs

How do I use "virtually all of" in a sentence?

Use "virtually all of" to indicate that nearly everything in a group or category shares a particular characteristic. For example, "Virtually all of the students passed the exam" suggests that only a very small number failed.

What's the difference between "virtually all of" and "almost all of"?

"Virtually all of" and "almost all of" are very similar, but "virtually all of" can suggest an even closer approximation to 100%. "Almost all of" implies that there's a slightly more noticeable exception.

Is it correct to say "virtually all of the people" or "virtually all people"?

While both constructions are understandable, "virtually all of the people" is more grammatically standard. "Virtually all people" can sound slightly less formal, but it's generally acceptable, especially in more casual contexts. Using "virtually all of the" is often clearer.

What can I say instead of "virtually all of"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly all of", "almost all of", or "practically all of" depending on the context. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.