virtually assure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually assure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express a high level of confidence in the outcome of a situation, while acknowledging that there may still be some uncertainty. Example: "The new safety measures will virtually assure that accidents are minimized in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Their high profiles also virtually assure that they will have lucrative careers in show business.

The New York Times - Arts

The agreement requires legislative approval, though endorsements by the governor and the labor unions virtually assure its success.

The New York Times

Arcane, complex American laws governing distribution of alcoholic beverages virtually assure that every state will have a very different selection.

The New York Times - Food

He added, "This is not the end, but it will virtually assure us there will be no chance of oil leaking into the environment".

The New York Times

Diplomats said that an agreement between Lebanon and Cyprus would virtually assure that the three countries agreed to the demarcation of their exploration zones.

The New York Times

The inclusion of a drug, test or device in a treatment guideline can virtually assure high demand, and profit, for the manufacturer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

All the same, a suspension is virtually assured.

The New York Times - Sports

The nomination virtually assures election in overwhelmingly Democratic Queens.

The New York Times

They were virtually assured victory with one match remaining.

The New York Times

The state's legislative system virtually assures that the city gives billions more than it gets.

The New Yorker

It is virtually assured that the two Republican commissioners will vote against the rule.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually assure" when you want to express a high level of confidence about a future event or outcome. It is particularly useful in persuasive writing or when providing reassurance.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually assure" when the outcome is genuinely uncertain or speculative. Overusing it can weaken your credibility and make your statements seem less trustworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually assure" functions as a hedge, softening the strength of a claim. It indicates a high degree of confidence that something will happen, without guaranteeing it absolutely. Examples provided by Ludwig confirm its role in expressing strong likelihood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually assure" is a versatile expression used to indicate a high level of confidence in a particular outcome, without claiming absolute certainty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news and formal communications. While it's effective for conveying strong likelihoods, avoiding overuse is important to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "almost guarantee" and "practically ensure" can provide variety while conveying similar meanings. Understanding the nuances of "virtually assure" allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually guarantee

The difference is subtle, replacing 'assure' with 'guarantee' maintains a similar level of confidence.

almost guarantee

Emphasizes near certainty, similar to "virtually assure" but with a stronger connotation of a guarantee.

practically ensure

Indicates a high probability of a specific outcome, closely resembling "virtually assure" in meaning.

all but guarantee

Implies a very high likelihood with only a slight chance of failure.

nearly guarantee

Similar to "almost guarantee", suggesting a very strong probability but not absolute certainty.

effectively guarantee

Highlights the practical certainty of an outcome, making it very likely.

confidently predict

Shifts the focus to prediction while still indicating high confidence in the outcome.

safely assume

Implies a high degree of confidence based on available evidence or conditions.

strongly suggest

Indicates a high likelihood while maintaining a slightly more cautious tone.

lead to believe

Indicates that evidence points strongly to a particular conclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually assure" to express a high degree of confidence in a likely outcome. For example, "Implementing these new safety protocols will virtually assure a reduction in workplace accidents."

What phrases are similar to "virtually assure"?

Alternatives to "virtually assure" include "almost guarantee", "practically ensure", or "all but guarantee". These phrases convey a similar sense of near certainty.

Is it appropriate to use "virtually assure" in formal writing?

Yes, "virtually assure" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you want to project confidence without claiming absolute certainty. It is commonly found in news reports, academic papers, and business documents.

What's the difference between "virtually assure" and "guarantee"?

"Guarantee" implies absolute certainty, while "virtually assure" suggests a very high probability but acknowledges a slight possibility of an exception. Using "virtually assure" adds a layer of realistic assessment.