virtually better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually better" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used in contexts where you want to imply that something is better in a practical or functional sense, but it lacks clarity. Example: "The new software is virtually better than the old version, offering improved features and performance."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Poder Volar, a clinic in Buenos Aires, uses a Virtually Better environment called Virtual Airplane to help patients overcome fear of flying, by letting them gradually get used to the process in the safety of an office.

The Economist

Dr. Barbara O. Rothbaum, the director of the Trauma and Anxiety Disorders Recovery Program at Emory University and a developer of the virtual reality program called Virtually Better, said, "I want people to learn that they can feel anxious and that that's O.K., that they don't need to try to avoid it".

The New York Times

Virtually Better also offers a Virtual Vietnam, as well as programs to address fear of heights and flying, social phobias and addictive behaviors.

The New York Times - Health

A company called Virtually Better is developing something called virtual-reality exposure therapy to recreate fearful situations, including the dreaded airline seat during takeoff.

The New York Times - Magazine

Bravemind is a virtual reality exposure therapy program offered by Virtually Better that helps clinicians expose their patients gradually to stimuli that trigger their traumatic stress responses, allowing them to help the patients recover.

TechCrunch

Virtually Better, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is arguably the world leader in therapeutic software, with a range of virtual environments (viewed using head-mounted displays) to treat problems as diverse as crack addiction, fear of storms and eating disorders.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Students who visit schools, even virtually, "are better informed students, so if they decide to apply, they will actually be a much better fit," he said.

The New York Times

It should be easy for him to persuade rational voters to embrace policies that would make virtually everyone better off.

The New York Times

Researchers at Beijing's Tsinghua University, with the support of IBM's World Community Grid, set up Computing for Clean Water to use computing power from more than 50,000 volunteers to virtually design better low-cost, low-pressure water filters, which will hopefully make water purification cheaper and more accessible.

BBC

Utility cyclists are virtually always better off by finding the most puncture-resistant tyre that fits their bike and they find suitable.

WikiHow

So take your pick; virtually anything is better than what we're spending it on now.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually better" to indicate that something is improved to the point where it's functionally superior. For instance, "The updated software is "virtually better" due to its enhanced efficiency."

Common error

Avoid using "virtually better" when the improvement is only marginal or subjective. Ensure there's a tangible and noticeable difference. For example, don't say "The new design is "virtually better"" if it's merely a cosmetic change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually better" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to suggest a near-complete or substantial improvement. Examples in Ludwig show it describing things that are enhanced or superior in almost all aspects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually better" is an acceptable way to express that something has significantly improved, though it is not very common. According to Ludwig, it's an adverb-adjective combination expressing a high degree of improvement or superiority. It is best suited for neutral contexts, such as news articles and technology discussions. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests considering alternatives like "practically superior" or "effectively improved" for enhanced clarity. Use this phrase when the improvement is tangible and noticeable, but avoid it if the change is only marginal or subjective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically superior

Emphasizes the practical advantages and usefulness of something.

effectively improved

Highlights the real and noticeable improvement achieved.

almost ideal

Suggests a condition that is nearly perfect or optimal.

nearly flawless

Implies something is very close to perfection with few issues.

essentially enhanced

Focuses on the fundamental or core improvements made.

tantamount to improvement

Highlights that something is equivalent to a significant upgrade.

akin to a better version

Suggests that one thing is similar to an improved version of another.

virtually flawless

Suggests something is near perfect, but not quite.

close to optimal

Indicates that a condition or result is near the best possible outcome.

for all intents and purposes better

Signifies something is better in almost every practical consideration.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "virtually better" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives like "practically superior" or "effectively improved". These options maintain a similar meaning but are better suited for professional or academic contexts.

Is "virtually better" grammatically correct?

While "virtually better" isn't incorrect, it can sometimes sound vague. It's more commonly accepted in contexts where you want to convey that something is functionally or practically superior, and Ludwig AI considers the phrase acceptable but suggests considering alternatives for clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "virtually better" in writing?

Use "virtually better" when you want to indicate that something has improved to the point where its advantages are almost complete or very significant. For example, "The new system is "virtually better" due to its increased speed and reliability."

What's the difference between "virtually better" and "slightly better"?

"Virtually better" implies a substantial improvement making something almost entirely superior, while "slightly better" indicates only a marginal or minor advantage. The first suggests a near-complete enhancement, while the second implies a minimal change.