virtually change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually change" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing changes that are not physically tangible but have an effect or impact in a conceptual or digital sense. Example: "The new software update will virtually change the way we interact with our devices, making them more intuitive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Due to drag force, the cars virtually change their velocity, but the latter is continuously re-set to its original value.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

The fabrics that comprise costumes on court are no longer materials with fixed properties; their performativity and the control of their performativity means that costumes become smart objects that can virtually change their states, transforming themselves and acting in accordance with the data of the environment.

Fashion and Textiles

Still, that's the specter raised by the National Rifle Association, which calls any virtually change in the status quo "gun grabbing".

Huffington Post

As clearly shown in Table  4, the prescription cost related to lipid-lowering, and antiplatelet medications did not virtually change, despite that a higher proportion of patients were prescribed lipid-lowering medications.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

An MD simulation with a truncated version of orlistat in which the hexyl tail was virtually changed to a methyl group (Supporting Information, Figure S1C) was also performed using the same procedure described above.

ACS Catalysis

Change: Virtually no change since their last Quinnipiac poll earlier this month.

The Guardian

The utility of RCR rests on its complexity: virtually any change in oxidative phosphorylation will change RCR.

Biochemical Journal

Yet there was virtually no change in affordability in cities elsewhere.

The Guardian

The median household with an income of $100,000 or more had virtually no change in wealth.

The New York Times

Virtually every change that occurs in a forest benefits some wildlife species and harms others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There was virtually no change in the prices of some crops, such as maize and soyabeans.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually change" when describing non-physical alterations, such as changes in software, simulations, or conceptual models where the impact is real despite the lack of tangible modification.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually change" when a complete, tangible change has occurred. It is best suited for describing effects that resemble changes without physical transformation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually change" functions as an adverbial modifier plus verb. It indicates that an action or state is being altered in a way that is nearly or effectively a change, even if not literally so. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing changes that aren't physically tangible but still have an effect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually change" is grammatically sound and used to describe alterations that are effective or perceptual rather than strictly physical. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use. It's most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. When writing, reserve "virtually change" for situations where the alteration is more of an effect or simulation, and consider alternatives like "effectively alter" or "practically modify" to fine-tune your meaning. Although it is considered correct by Ludwig AI, it's relatively rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effectively alter

Emphasizes the practical result of the change, suggesting the outcome is the same as a real change.

practically modify

Highlights the modification aspect, indicating a change that is almost complete or equivalent to a full modification.

almost transform

Focuses on the transformative nature of the change, implying the subject nearly reaches a new state.

essentially convert

Underscores the conversion aspect, suggesting a fundamental change in nature or function.

simulate a change

Highlights the aspect of mimicking or imitating a change without it being real.

mimic transformation

Similar to 'simulate a change', it emphasizes the imitation of a transformation.

approximate modification

Suggests that the modification is not exact but close to the intended change.

nearly adjust

Implies a slight adjustment that is close to being a complete change.

functionally replace

Focuses on the replacement of function, suggesting that the functionality has changed.

digitally alter

Specifies that the change occurs in a digital or virtual environment.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually change" to describe changes that are not physically tangible but have a real effect or impact, such as: "The new software update will virtually change the way we interact with our devices."

What phrases are similar to "virtually change"?

Alternatives include "effectively alter", "practically modify", or "almost transform" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "virtually change" instead of "completely change"?

"Virtually change" is suitable when the change is more of an effect or simulation, not a full, physical transformation. "Completely change" is used when the alteration is absolute and tangible.

Is "virtually change" formal or informal?

"Virtually change" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in technical or analytical discussions.