virtually devoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually devoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost completely lacking in a particular quality or substance. Example: "The report was virtually devoid of any meaningful analysis, leaving the readers confused about the findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As before, it is virtually devoid of gore.

The New York Times

Like the Fox agreement, the CBS pact was virtually devoid of numbers that might measure success.

The New York Times

In 800-plus pages, Ross offers a landscape virtually devoid of humanity.

The New York Times - Books

The North Italian Plain, Puglia, and the southern half of Sicily are virtually devoid of woodland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His accounts of political intrigue are virtually devoid of any sense of a struggle over ideas.

The Economist

Aside from allegations that Mr. Fujimori is stealing the election, the campaign so far has been virtually devoid of issues.

The New York Times

Early lunar probes revealed a surface that was mountainous, rugged, heavily cratered and virtually devoid of maria.

The Economist

The interior lowlands of the province are virtually devoid of woodlands, with the exception of Ujung Kulon National Park.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It has become a whipped-dog subject, virtually devoid of manifestos, heavy on irony and bottom-line issues.

Independent

But now they are the working parts of a restocking experiment the Conservancy is undertaking on 13,000 bay bottom acres that are virtually devoid of clams.

The New York Times

This image may be beautiful, but it belies a harsh environment virtually devoid of human habitation: the sea of sand dunes of the arid Libyan desert.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually devoid" to clearly convey that something is almost entirely lacking a specific quality or substance. It's stronger than "lacking" but softer than "completely without".

Common error

While "virtually devoid" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in very informal writing. Simpler phrases like "almost without" or "nearly lacking" might be more appropriate depending on the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually devoid" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a near-complete absence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. It effectively conveys that something is almost entirely lacking a particular quality or substance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually devoid" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that effectively conveys a near-complete absence of something. As Ludwig AI validates, it functions as an adjective phrase and finds common usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While alternatives like "almost devoid" and "basically devoid" exist, understanding the nuances of each can refine your writing. Remember to use it appropriately, considering the formality of your writing and avoid overusing in overly informal scenarios. By noting typical errors you can avoid awkward sentences and improve your written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost devoid

Expresses a near-total absence, very close in meaning to "virtually devoid" but perhaps implying a slightly higher degree of exception.

nearly devoid

Synonymous with "almost devoid" and "virtually devoid", indicating a very small amount present.

practically devoid

Very similar to "virtually devoid", suggesting that for all practical purposes, something is absent.

basically devoid

Indicates a fundamental lack, similar to "virtually devoid" but emphasizes the basic or essential nature of the absence.

essentially devoid

Highlights the lack of something crucial or fundamental, emphasizing the importance of what is missing more than "virtually devoid".

largely devoid

Suggests that something is mostly missing but may have trace amounts, making it less absolute than "virtually devoid".

almost without

Indicates a condition that is very close to lacking something entirely, subtly differing from the direct assertion of "virtually devoid".

bereft of

A more formal and literary way of saying lacking, carrying a stronger emotional connotation than "virtually devoid".

scarcely any

Emphasizes rarity and infrequency, differing from "virtually devoid" by focusing on the infrequency rather than the completeness of absence.

lacking in

A broader phrase indicating a deficiency in something, less emphatic about the completeness of absence compared to "virtually devoid".

FAQs

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

Use "virtually devoid" to describe something that is almost entirely lacking a particular quality or substance. For example, "The desert landscape was virtually devoid of vegetation."

What are some alternatives to "virtually devoid"?

You can use alternatives like "basically devoid", "almost devoid", or "nearly devoid" depending on the context.

Is it more correct to say "virtually devoid of" or "almost devoid of"?

Both "virtually devoid of" and "almost devoid of" are correct and have very similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "largely devoid" and "virtually devoid"?

"Largely devoid" suggests that something is mostly missing but may have some trace amounts, while "virtually devoid" indicates a near-total absence. "Largely devoid" implies a greater presence, however small, than "virtually devoid".