virtually as though

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually as though" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a situation that is almost equivalent to another, often in a hypothetical or comparative context. Example: "The experience was virtually as though I had traveled back in time, with all the sights and sounds of the past surrounding me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Benita, after several attempts to have a baby, died in childbirth in 1927, and Guggenheim writes that it was her death — "I felt virtually as though I had been cut in two" — coupled with her husband's heartless attitude to the loss, that brought her marriage to an end.

The New Yorker

They see a tool for business used to enhance the engineering and design experience and to let people meet virtually as though they were in the same room.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So equipped, the ML cornered virtually as flat as a BMW X5 on a downhill run, though the Mercedes couldn't match the BMW's sporty, communicative steering.

The New York Times

Though Rossini's Rodrigo is an ill-defined character (as if Shakespeare's Rodrigo and Cassio had been merged), the role is virtually as long and as difficult as Otello's.

The New York Times - Arts

East St . LouisSelf-Help Is Seen As the Solution It was Sunday, the sun shining like a halo, and the streets of East St . Louiswere virtually empty, as though the city had been warned of an air raid.

The New York Times

He made virtually no progress, though, on restoring business confidence or attracting investors from abroad.

The Economist

Some figures are virtually lifted from Ghiberti, though, such as a man with a small monkey on his shoulder — an evil omen, lurking behind the Three Wise Men who have come to adore the infant Jesus.

Los Angeles Times

In particular, invasion fleets sent to Japan in 1274 and 1281 were virtually annihilated, though their loss was as much due to storms (the fabled Japanese kamikaze typhoons in those years) as to Japanese resistance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though nearly twice as large as Teterboro, Westchester has virtually the same volume of traffic.

The New York Times

These people are virtually always not us, as though none of us meet our criteria.

Huffington Post

sold or misused treating patients as though virtually every person and every situation is exactly alike is senseless and cruel.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually as though" to express a strong similarity or approximation, implying that something is almost, but not quite, identical to something else. For instance, "The simulation felt "virtually as though" I was actually there."

Common error

Avoid using "virtually as though" when the similarity is weak or merely superficial. This phrase implies a high degree of likeness. If the comparison is not particularly close, use other phrases like "somewhat like" or "reminiscent of."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually as though" functions as a conjunction phrase, used to introduce a comparison that implies a high degree of similarity or approximation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests something is very close to being the same as something else.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually as though" is a grammatically sound construction used to express a close approximation or similarity between two scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While the frequency is relatively rare, it finds its place across various contexts like News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, it's best to ensure a genuine likeness exists between the compared elements to avoid overstatement. Consider alternatives like "almost as if" or "practically as if" for similar expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost as if

Changes the structure slightly while maintaining the sense of near equivalence.

practically as if

Substitutes "virtually" with "practically", offering a very close synonym.

nearly as though

Replaces "virtually" with "nearly", providing a similar degree of approximation.

just as if

Emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the comparison, minimizing the subtle distinction of approximation.

for all intents and purposes

This idiom implies that the situation is equivalent to another, despite minor differences.

in effect

Indicates that something is true in practice, even if not in name or officially.

tantamount to

This signifies that something is virtually equivalent or has the same effect as something else.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance or similarity without necessarily implying near equivalence.

much like

Suggests the relationship between the elements that are being compared is very similar.

comparable to

Indicates a degree of similarity, but does not necessarily imply near equivalence.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually as though" in a sentence?

Use "virtually as though" to indicate a strong similarity or near equivalence between two things, suggesting the first is almost the same as the second. For example, "The virtual reality experience felt "virtually as though" I was truly flying."

What are some alternatives to "virtually as though"?

You can use alternatives like "almost as if", "practically as if", or "nearly as though" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "virtually like" instead of "virtually as though"?

While "virtually like" is understandable, "virtually as though" is more grammatically complete and precise for expressing a hypothetical or comparative situation. "Virtually like" may be perceived as slightly less formal.

What's the difference between "virtually as though" and "almost as though"?

"Virtually as though" and "almost as though" are very similar in meaning. "Virtually" emphasizes the nearness to the real thing, while "almost" simply indicates that something is not quite the real thing. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.