virtually as if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually as if" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that closely resembles another, suggesting a near equivalence without being exact. Example: "The simulation created a scenario that felt virtually as if we were in a real-life emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The bill would create civil union certificates for same-sex couples, who would be treated virtually as if they were married in areas ranging from probate law to medical benefits.

The New York Times

It seemed, virtually, as if I had also ceased to exist.

The Guardian - Books

The unthinking substitution of formula for breast milk is virtually as if, during the past century, we had decided to swap out the blood supply in our bodies, to replace it with an artificial blood substitute -- and then demanded that the people who support real blood prove that it really worked better than the manufactured alternate.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In other words, bright, hard-working, successful students who can't get into Princeton, which turns away almost 90percentt of its applicants, will do virtually as well in every measurable way if they graduate from their third-choice school or their eighth, or from New Jersey City University.

The New York Times

It is almost as if his virtually invulnerable namesake were to say "nya, nya, you missed" after being hit in the heel by an arrow – the one part of him, in classical mythology, that could be harmed.

Independent

It is virtually black, as if it had been kept in the oven too long.

The New Yorker

He had meticulously calibrated standards for virtually everything, as if (I often resentfully thought, when I was young) life were an equation and all you had to do was work out the variables: children, marriage, friendships.

The New Yorker

Every time the viewer looks upon Levine's work and mistakes it to be the authentic work of Evans, Rodchenko or Duchamp, Levine is virtually esteemed as, if not conceptually made, a man by virtue of misconception.

Huffington Post

He played virtually as a lone striker, if he did that at Old Trafford it would allow Wayne to drift off him and take up that position he takes up in the hole.

BBC

Although Western Reserve is in no way religiously associated, virtually everyone interviewed for this story described themselves as, if not religiously observant, spiritually inclined.

Huffington Post

Virtually all of the coverage of Obama's win has been over-the-top, almost as if he won the nomination.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually as if" when you want to emphasize a strong resemblance or near equivalence, but not a complete identity. This is particularly effective in descriptions where a slight distinction is relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually as if" when the situation is truly identical. The 'virtually' suggests a difference, however small; if there is no difference, use "as if" or a more direct comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually as if" functions as a conjunction, connecting two clauses to create a comparison. It suggests a high degree of similarity or equivalence, indicating that something is almost, but not entirely, the same as something else. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually as if" is a grammatically correct conjunction used to convey a strong resemblance or near equivalence between two situations, as determined by Ludwig AI. It is most common in news and media contexts, offering a nuanced comparison that acknowledges a subtle difference. While it is a valid and understandable phrase, it's not very common. When writing, consider alternatives like "almost as if" for variety and clarity. Be mindful to only use this phrase when the situations you describe are very alike, but not identical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost as if

Indicates a slightly weaker degree of similarity compared to "virtually as if".

practically as if

Emphasizes the practical similarity, suggesting the effect is almost the same.

nearly as if

Highlights the closeness of the resemblance, implying a slight difference.

effectively as if

Stresses the actual result or impact is similar, despite potential differences.

in effect as if

Similar to "effectively as if", but may imply a more indirect comparison.

tantamount to

Denotes functional equivalence; less focused on appearance.

for all intents and purposes

Highlights that the distinction doesn't matter in practice, focusing on perceived intent.

to all appearances

Refers to superficial similarity, focusing more on how something seems.

as good as

Conveys a sense of equivalence in terms of usefulness or quality.

much like

Expresses a resemblance without necessarily implying equivalence.

FAQs

What does "virtually as if" mean?

The phrase "virtually as if" is used to describe a situation that is so close to another that it's practically the same, though not exactly identical. It suggests a very strong resemblance or equivalent effect.

Are there alternatives to "virtually as if"?

Yes, alternatives include "almost as if", "practically as if", or "nearly as if". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "virtually as if" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to draw a comparison that highlights a strong similarity while acknowledging a subtle difference. For example, "The simulation felt virtually as if we were in a real-life emergency".

How does "virtually as if" differ from "as if"?

The inclusion of "virtually" softens the comparison made by "as if", suggesting the similarity is very close but not complete. Using just "as if" implies a more direct, possibly figurative, comparison, while "virtually as if" implies a more factual near-equivalence.