virtually assured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually assured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a high level of certainty about an outcome, though it may not be absolute. Example: "With the team's strong performance this season, a playoff spot is virtually assured."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

All the same, a suspension is virtually assured.

The New York Times - Sports

Though deputies may attach nonbinding amendments to the bill, approval is virtually assured.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

That Expo 67 was sanctioned by the BIE virtually assured participation by many countries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the largely Democratic district, though, Mr. O'Rourke is virtually assured victory.

The New York Times

Thus, Mr. Duffy is virtually assured of being the party's nominee for lieutenant governor.

The New York Times

If Obama wins all three states in November, he will be virtually assured of victory.

The New Yorker

It seems virtually assured that the matter will head to court.

The New York Times

Tourists who travel in groups are virtually assured of a trouble-free trip.

The New York Times - Travel

The league leaders have virtually assured themselves another victory; they lead Charlton 3-0.

The Guardian - Sport

Farah's success has "virtually assured" Britain's third place in the medal table.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider substituting "virtually assured" with a more direct alternative like "almost certain" if you aim for brevity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually assured" when the outcome is truly uncertain or based on speculation. Misusing it can mislead the reader and weaken your argument. Ensure there is substantial evidence to support the claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually assured" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a high degree of certainty or probability. Ludwig confirms this, showcasing various contexts where the phrase describes outcomes that are almost guaranteed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually assured" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express a high degree of certainty about an event or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions to convey confidence, though not absolute guarantee, based on existing evidence. Its usage spans from news and media to encyclopedias, leaning towards a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "almost certain" or "practically guaranteed" exist, "virtually assured" provides a nuanced way to communicate near certainty. Remember to use it when the likelihood is high, but complete certainty cannot be claimed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost certain

This alternative directly replaces "virtually" with "almost", maintaining a high degree of certainty but with a slightly less formal tone.

effectively guaranteed

Implies that, for all practical purposes, the outcome is guaranteed.

practically guaranteed

Substitutes "virtually" with "practically" and "assured" with "guaranteed", emphasizing the high probability of the event occurring.

nearly guaranteed

Similar to "almost certain", this phrase replaces "virtually" with "nearly" and "assured" with "guaranteed", suggesting a very strong likelihood.

next to certain

This phrase implies that there is very little doubt about the outcome.

all but certain

Emphasizes that the outcome is so likely that it's as good as certain, although there's a slight chance it might not happen.

as good as certain

Indicates a high degree of confidence in the outcome, suggesting it's almost impossible for things to go otherwise.

highly probable

This phrase expresses a strong likelihood using different vocabulary, suitable for more formal contexts.

tantamount to a guarantee

This implies the situation is so secure, it is practically a guarantee but stopping short of that absolute claim.

in all likelihood

Suggests that based on the current situation, the event is very likely to happen.

FAQs

What does "virtually assured" mean?

The phrase "virtually assured" means that something is almost certain to happen. It conveys a very high degree of probability, close to being guaranteed, but with a slight possibility of uncertainty.

What can I say instead of "virtually assured"?

You can use alternatives like "almost certain", "practically guaranteed", or "highly probable" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "virtually assured" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure that the context supports the high degree of certainty that the phrase implies. In some cases, alternatives like "highly likely" might be more suitable if you want to express a slightly lower level of confidence.

How to use "virtually assured" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually assured" to describe an outcome that is almost guaranteed to happen. For example: "With the team's current lead, their victory is "virtually assured"." or "Given the evidence, a guilty verdict is "virtually assured"".