virtually always

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually always" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs almost all the time, with very few exceptions. Example: "She is virtually always on time for meetings, which is greatly appreciated by her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Virtually always.

The Guardian

"I'm virtually always lost".

The New York Times

There is virtually always a great deal of sex.

The Guardian - Books

Many mechanical-joint analyses ignore friction for simplicity, but some contact friction is virtually always present.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Wind turbines operate under various wind conditions in which turbulence virtually always exists.

Renewable Energy

Luck, serendipity, is virtually always a part of the process of scientific discovery.

Harvard University

The involvement of a parent (virtually always the mother) makes getting contraceptives much easier.

The New York Times

Mr Osborne is 38 and has virtually always worked in politics.

The Economist

When playing White, Fischer virtually always opened with 1. e4 (see chess notation).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The only problem is that these stories virtually always get debunked.

The Washington Post

The legislature virtually always passes government proposals, though sometimes with small changes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more conversational tone, consider using "almost always" or "nearly always" as alternatives to "virtually always".

Common error

Avoid using "virtually always" when the situation truly involves absolute certainty. Overusing the phrase may dilute its impact and undermine your credibility, so be sure to use it when something is highly probable, but not guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "virtually always" functions as an intensifier, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate a high degree of frequency or probability. It suggests that an event or action occurs in nearly all circumstances, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually always" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express a high degree of probability, bordering on certainty. It is grammatically correct and commonly used across a variety of contexts, including news, science, and academia. While minor nuances separate it from alternatives like "almost always" or "nearly always", it is generally interchangeable. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is well-regarded and suitable for conveying near-certainty in various forms of writing. Its prevalence in authoritative sources further confirms its acceptability and usefulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost always

A more common and slightly less formal synonym, indicating a very high probability but not absolute certainty.

nearly always

Similar to "almost always", this option also implies a high likelihood, with only a few exceptions.

practically always

This alternative suggests that something happens in almost every practical situation.

invariably

A more formal term emphasizing a consistent pattern or occurrence without exception.

almost without exception

This phrase highlights the rarity of exceptions to the general rule.

more often than not

Indicates that an event happens frequently, but not necessarily in almost every instance.

typically

Describes what usually happens, without implying the near-absolute certainty of "virtually always".

generally

Implies a common occurrence but allows for more exceptions than "virtually always".

as a rule

Suggests a standard practice or common pattern, but allows for deviations.

ordinarily

Describes what happens in the usual course of events, without strong emphasis on frequency.

FAQs

What does "virtually always" mean?

The phrase "virtually always" means that something happens in almost every case, with very few exceptions. It conveys a high degree of probability, but not absolute certainty.

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

You can use "virtually always" to describe situations where something is highly likely to occur. For example, "The legislature "almost always passes" government proposals, though sometimes with small changes."

What are some alternatives to "virtually always"?

Alternatives to "virtually always" include "almost always", "nearly always", or "invariably". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is there a difference between "almost always" and "virtually always"?

While both phrases convey a high degree of probability, "virtually always" suggests an even stronger likelihood than "almost always". "Virtually" implies that any exceptions are so rare as to be negligible. In practice, they are often interchangeable, but "virtually always" is slightly more formal.