virtually at the same time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually at the same time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events that occur almost simultaneously, though not exactly at the same moment. Example: "The two experiments were conducted virtually at the same time, leading to similar results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"This international partnership will provide fans around the world … the opportunity to see every episode virtually at the same time as viewers in the US.

The Guardian

Faced in early 1942 with the task of rapidly manufacturing a powerful chemical explosive, Groves resorted to designing, building and operating plants virtually at the same time.

The New York Times - Books

The bespoke cutting guides and implants were designed virtually at the same time and were then manufactured precisely using computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD-CAM) over 6 weeks.

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Leslie Sherman, the owner of Realty Executives in Las Vegas, said American Express had reduced the credit limits on several personal and business cards virtually at the same time.

The New York Times

The death of both of my parents (virtually at the same time) meant the little bit of time out I had after caring for both of them led me into the brewery.

The Guardian

Virtually at the same time, the coalition dodged voting with the United States, Britain and France in favor of a U.N. resolution enabling authorization of a no-flight zone over Libya, chose abstention alongside Russia and China and then said it would not participate in an international coalition's military effort to protect Libyan civilians.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

On the one hand, we see employees working virtually but at the same time we see companies investing in new office space.

Forbes

What do you do when you are a major Japanese video game maker who faces a shrinking home market and sees the social games sector virtually explode at the same time?

TechCrunch

A genuine "Earth Voice" must reach the vast majority of the people of the Earth, and it must reach them virtually all at the same time!

HuffPost

She questions the wisdom of having The Nose at the Coliseum and at the Linbury Studio of the Royal Opera House at virtually the same time.

Independent

Now, two enlightening documentaries about Maravich from ESPN Classic's SportsCentury series (which were first shown last week) and "Pistol Pete: The Life and Times of Pete Maravich" from CBS (Sunday at 4 30 p.m. Eastern) are appearing at virtually the same time.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually at the same time", ensure the events are indeed very close in time, but not necessarily perfectly synchronized. This emphasizes a near-simultaneous occurrence without implying exact coincidence.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually at the same time" when describing events that are truly simultaneous. Reserve this phrase for situations where there's a very slight, almost negligible, difference in timing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually at the same time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate temporal proximity. It specifies when an action occurs in relation to another. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually at the same time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase used to express that events occurred in close temporal proximity without being perfectly simultaneous. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread application across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While versatile, it's important to use this phrase when precision isn't paramount, reserving stronger terms like "simultaneously" for instances of true concurrence. Consider related alternatives like "almost simultaneously" or "nearly concurrently" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost simultaneously

Emphasizes near-perfect concurrency, often implying a lack of causal connection.

nearly concurrently

Suggests a high degree of temporal overlap, suitable for formal contexts.

practically at the same instant

Highlights the brevity of the time difference between events.

effectively in unison

Emphasizes the coordinated nature of events occurring close in time.

in close succession

Indicates a series of events happening one after another with minimal delay.

hardly separated in time

Stresses the minimal temporal gap between occurrences.

in rapid sequence

Focuses on speed and the short interval separating successive events.

in temporal proximity

A more formal way of indicating that events are close together in time.

in virtual synchrony

Emphasizes an apparent or perceived simultaneous occurrence.

at approximately the same time

Indicates an estimated or rounded time of occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually at the same time" in a sentence?

Use "virtually at the same time" to describe events that occur very close together, but not exactly simultaneously. For example: "The two experiments were conducted "virtually at the same time", leading to comparable results."

What phrases are similar to "virtually at the same time"?

Alternatives include "almost simultaneously", "nearly concurrently", or "practically at the same instant". Choose the best option based on the context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "virtually at the same time" in formal writing?

Yes, "virtually at the same time" can be used in formal writing, but consider alternatives like "nearly concurrently" or "in temporal proximity" for a more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "virtually at the same time" and "simultaneously"?

"Simultaneously" implies that events happen at the exact same moment. "Virtually at the same time" suggests a very small difference in timing that is negligible or practically unnoticeable.