virtually assures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually assures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a strong likelihood or guarantee of a particular outcome, though it may not be absolute. Example: "The new policy virtually assures that all employees will receive equal pay for equal work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The nomination virtually assures election in overwhelmingly Democratic Queens.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

Using a $2,200 drug in such a circumstance virtually assures the hospital will lose money.

The New York Times

That imperative virtually assures no sudden, radical departures in foreign policy.

The New York Times

"The warm November virtually assures that 2012 will be the warmest year on record in the U.S.," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently observed.

The New Yorker

Leaders of both chambers of Parliament signed off on the package Wednesday, which virtually assures adoption of the measure in Brussels this spring.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

All the same, a suspension is virtually assured.

The New York Times - Sports

They were virtually assured victory with one match remaining.

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

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually assures" when you want to convey a strong likelihood or near certainty, but acknowledge that unforeseen circumstances could potentially alter the outcome. For instance, "Adopting this strategy virtually assures increased market share."

Common error

Avoid using "virtually assures" when the outcome is not highly probable or depends on numerous uncertain factors. Overstating the certainty can undermine your credibility. Instead, use phrases that indicate possibility or likelihood, such as "may lead to" or "increases the chances of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually assures" functions as a hedge, softening the claim while still conveying a high degree of confidence. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates a strong likelihood. It modifies a verb, suggesting that the action almost certainly leads to a specific result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually assures" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong likelihood or near certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. It's prevalent in news, science, and formal business contexts. When using "virtually assures", ensure the context genuinely supports a high degree of probability, and consider alternatives like "almost guarantees" or "practically ensures" for subtle variations in meaning. While appropriate for formal writing, avoid overstating certainty and be mindful of potential misinterpretations. With its frequent usage in authoritative sources like the New York Times and the Guardian, this phrase offers a reliable way to convey confidence in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually guarantees

Replaces 'assures' with 'guarantees', emphasizing certainty.

essentially guarantees

Indicates that the outcome is guaranteed in all important respects.

almost guarantees

Replaces 'virtually' with 'almost', softening the assurance slightly.

nearly guarantees

Similar to 'almost guarantees', indicating a very high likelihood.

practically ensures

Substitutes 'virtually' with 'practically', maintaining a high degree of certainty.

all but guarantees

Uses 'all but' to express a near-certain outcome, slightly more informal.

effectively ensures

Highlights the effectiveness of the action in securing the outcome.

certainly appears to ensure

More cautious phrasing, suggesting a strong likelihood but not absolute certainty.

makes it highly probable that

Replaces the concise phrase with a more verbose expression of high probability.

strongly suggests that

Weakens the assurance, focusing on suggestion rather than guarantee.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually assures" to indicate a strong likelihood of a particular outcome, such as "This new policy "virtually assures" that all employees will receive equal pay for equal work".

What phrases are similar to "virtually assures"?

Alternatives include "almost guarantees", "practically ensures", or "all but guarantees", which express similar levels of certainty.

Is it correct to use "virtually assures" in formal writing?

Yes, "virtually assures" is appropriate for formal writing as it conveys a high degree of certainty without making an absolute claim. It's often used in news articles, business reports, and academic papers.

What's the difference between "virtually assures" and "guarantees"?

"Virtually assures" indicates a very high probability, while "guarantees" implies an absolute certainty. Using "virtually assures" acknowledges that unforeseen circumstances could potentially affect the outcome, making it a more cautious and often more accurate choice.