virtually born

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually born" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is created or comes into existence in a digital or non-physical form, often in the context of technology or virtual environments. Example: "The new virtual reality game feels like it was virtually born from the imagination of its developers, bringing a unique experience to players."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

As he shows, the hero, though a vicar's son, was virtually born and bred a pirate.

The Economist

"I can't remember a day when I wasn't famous," Taylor once said, but perhaps because she was virtually born into it, she wore her celebrity as casually as she did her stupendous baubles.

The New York Times

And the opponents of repeal think they are in tune with public opinion: a recent MORI poll found that 54% of those asked thought Section 28 should be retained.The organised gay lobby was virtually born out of opposition to Section 28.

The Economist

The word ogle has appeared in 28 New York Times articles in the past year, including on Dec. 18 in "Once a Star, Always a Star" by Charles Isherwood: "I can't remember a day when I wasn't famous," Taylor once said, but perhaps because she was virtually born into it, she wore her celebrity as casually as she did her stupendous baubles.

The New York Times

TRAVEL Called to Be Gore In "The Prince of Tennessee," David Maraniss and Ellen Nakashima find in Al Gore a compulsive self-scrutinizer, virtually born on Page 1 and required all his life to think about how whatever he does will look; reviewed by Ben Macintyre.

The New York Times

Jean Shaheen, by the way, was born in Missouri!" Did you catch how Sunnunu cleverly described Brown as "virtually born" in New Hampshire?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Right now, virtually anyone born in the United States is a citizen of the United States.

Huffington Post

The Danish Neonatal Screening Biobank (DNSB) contains nearly 2 million DBSS from virtually every Dane born after 1982.

BMC Genomics

Even so, "Grown Up Digital" is a must read for baby boomers and virtually anyone else born before 1977.

The New York Times

Around the world, virtually every child born in a hospital had an Apgar score recorded at one minute after birth and at five minutes after birth.

The New Yorker

In her pilot study, three women who were born virtually blind gained the ability to avoid obstacles and recognise faces.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually born" to describe situations where something's origin is so deeply connected to a place, condition, or idea that it's almost as if it was born there or from it.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually born" in contexts where literal birth or creation is more appropriate. This phrase implies a strong association, not necessarily a literal beginning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually born" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the manner or extent to which something originated or came into being. Ludwig AI indicates its usage in describing strong associations or origins.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually born" is a phrase used to describe a strong connection or origin, almost as if something originated in a specific place or condition. As Ludwig AI has pointed out, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While the phrase is not extremely common, its usage is appropriate in contexts where emphasizing origin or association is key. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure it doesn't conflict with literal birth or creation meanings, and it generally maintains a neutral tone, fitting well within news, media, and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretty much started

Indicates beginning of occurrence is reasonably close.

practically originated

Highlights the actual start point with near accuracy.

nearly brought into existence

Focuses on the action of being conceived, only being slightly shy of existence.

essentially created

Focuses on the core nature of creation rather than just origin.

basically developed

Highlights the idea of being fundamentally and substantially built.

effectively initiated

Highlights the result of initiating an event that is already effective.

realistically conceived

Underlines the practical aspects of the idea being thought of, closely realistic.

almost inaugurated

Emphasizes the act of beginning something almost fully.

in effect, established

Stresses the tangible impact and almost immediate foundation.

tantamount to being founded

Highlights resemblance to its original phase, nearly synonymous to found.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually born" to describe something that is strongly associated with a place or condition, almost as if it originated there. For example, "The company was "virtually born" in the Silicon Valley startup scene".

What is a similar phrase to "virtually born"?

Alternatives include "essentially created" or "practically originated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, it is appropriate, especially in contexts where you want to emphasize a very strong connection or origin. However, ensure the tone is consistent with the rest of your writing.

What does "virtually born" imply about the subject?

It implies that the subject's existence or development is so closely tied to a particular environment or condition that it seems to have naturally emerged or originated there.