virtually complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually complete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost finished or nearly done, but not entirely complete. Example: "The project is virtually complete, with only a few minor adjustments left to make."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His isolation was virtually complete.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"You'll have virtually complete whiteout," said Lt. Cmdr.

The New York Times

Implementation of them resulted in virtually complete school segregation.

The New York Times

6.34pm BST In London, the Crossrail train system "is virtually complete... Well, no, it's not virtually complete; that's an exaggeration".

The Guardian

Nuclear advocates point out that the design is virtually complete.

The New York Times

The current release is virtually complete through 200 C.E.

Yale University

Virtually complete suspension is observed to occur at critical agitation rates considerably lower than expected.

Chemical Engineering Science

The MBR and RPS can virtually complete nitrification and denitrification, respectively.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Curing of the homogeneous solutions, using diethyltoluene diamine, resulted in virtually complete phase separation.

Polymer

Interactive point and click design dialogs give virtually complete control over graph appearance.

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine

You could build a virtually complete collection in the next hour or two.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually complete" when you want to convey that something is so close to being finished that the remaining parts are negligible or inconsequential. It adds a nuance of near-perfection without claiming absolute completion.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually complete" when a significant portion of work remains. It should not be used to exaggerate progress or mislead about the true state of a project. Be precise about the degree of completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually complete" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, qualifying a noun. It indicates that something is near completion, but not entirely so. Ludwig confirms this, showcasing its correct and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually complete" is a versatile phrase indicating something is close to being finished. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various fields, particularly in science and news media. While it denotes near completion, it's crucial to use it accurately and avoid exaggerating the actual progress. Alternatives such as "almost complete" or "nearly complete" can be used for similar meanings. Remember to use this phrase when the remaining tasks are minor, ensuring clear and honest communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost complete

Replaces "virtually" with "almost", indicating a very high degree of completion.

nearly complete

Substitutes "virtually" with "nearly", conveying a similar sense of approximation to completion.

practically complete

Uses "practically" instead of "virtually", suggesting a focus on the practical outcome of completion.

essentially complete

Emphasizes the core elements are finished, with minor aspects potentially remaining.

substantially complete

Highlights that the major part is done, with a sense of considerable progress.

largely complete

Similar to "substantially complete", indicating the majority is finished.

close to completion

Shifts from an adjective phrase to a prepositional phrase, indicating the state of nearing completion.

nearing completion

Expresses the process of approaching completion rather than the state itself.

as good as complete

Emphasizes the functional equivalence to being complete, despite not being technically so.

tantamount to complete

Formal alternative that suggests the effect is the same as being fully complete.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually complete" to describe something that is nearly finished. For instance, "The construction of the new bridge is "virtually complete", and it will open to the public next month."

What phrases are similar to "virtually complete"?

Similar phrases include "almost complete", "nearly complete", and "essentially complete". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it accurate to say "virtually complete" if there are still minor tasks to be done?

Yes, "virtually complete" implies that only minor tasks remain. It's appropriate when the core aspects are finished and only small adjustments or finishing touches are needed.

What's the difference between "virtually complete" and "completely finished"?

"Virtually complete" suggests a state very close to being finished, whereas "completely finished" indicates absolute completion. "Completely finished" leaves no room for remaining tasks, no matter how small.