virtually already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually already" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost or nearly the case, suggesting a sense of immediacy or readiness. Example: "The project is virtually already completed, with just a few final touches needed before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Oscar that was virtually already hers slipped from her hands.

The New Yorker

First and foremost, if you are looking to get an Apple Macintosh, the decision to build versus buy is virtually already made.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Andersson's people, mind you, look virtually dead already.

Independent

One column envisaged by Mr. Faltlhauser is the hotel, a two-winged structure of 138 rooms that is virtually complete already.

The New York Times

The only route is via the south-east where, as it happens, lie the diamond mines of Mbuji-Mayi in East Kasai, the one source of revenue still available to the government.Like the southernmost province of Shaba, East Kasai is virtually autonomous already.

The Economist

Gray's The Soul of the Marionette sees him bringing human beings down a peg or two once again, although by now he's done it so often that we're virtually subterranean already.

The Guardian - Books

Indeed, we noted that a first episode of fish handling or intra-peritoneal injection led to multiple sites of cfos induction, which were virtually abolished already after the second handling/injection episode (not shown).

European Journal of Neuroscience

It was an almost impossible job halting the already virtually doomed Blue Square Bet Premier bottom club's slide towards relegation.

BBC

Daycare is already virtually dead.

The Guardian

Mr Gbagbo's parallel "government" is already virtually bankrupt.

The Economist

Already, virtually every measure of the labor market has weakened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually already" to convey a sense of near certainty or imminent completion, adding a nuance that completion is highly probable but perhaps not yet technically finalized.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually already" when the task has significant outstanding steps or uncertainty. It's most effective when the remaining work is minimal and highly likely to be completed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually already" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the degree to which something is approaching a certain state or outcome. This usage enhances the descriptive power of a statement by implying near-completion or a high probability of occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms that this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually already" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that intensifies the sense of near-completion or inevitability. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous sources shows that it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific discussions, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the situation genuinely reflects a high degree of certainty to avoid overstatement. Alternatives such as "practically complete" or "essentially done" can be used for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually complete

This alternative omits "already", which can sometimes be implied.

almost there

This alternative is more colloquial and suggests imminent completion.

practically complete

This alternative emphasizes the degree of completion.

nearly finished

This alternative uses a different adjective to describe the state of completion.

effectively complete

This alternative suggests the result is the same as being complete.

essentially done

This alternative highlights the core elements being finished.

all but done

This alternative is an idiom indicating that something is very close to being finished.

as good as finished

This alternative indicates a high likelihood of completion with minimal remaining effort.

nearing completion

This alternative focuses on the ongoing process approaching completion.

tantamount to complete

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes equivalence to completion.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually already" to indicate that something is close to being finished or a situation is nearly a certain outcome. For example, "The project is "virtually already" completed, we just need to proofread it".

What's the difference between "virtually already" and "almost"?

"Almost" indicates a state that is not yet reached, while "virtually already" suggests a state so close to being reached that it is practically the same as if it were. "Virtually already" emphasizes a higher degree of certainty or nearness than "almost".

What can I say instead of "virtually already"?

You can use alternatives like "practically complete", "essentially done", or "nearly finished" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "already" with "virtually"?

While "virtually" can imply a near state, adding "already" emphasizes the sense of immediacy and inevitability. The phrase highlights that the state is not just near, but effectively in place, making it a valid, although potentially emphatic, construction.