virtually equal

USAGE SUMMARY

"virtually equal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express that two things are almost but not quite the same. For example, you could say: "The two teams were virtually equal in terms of their skill level."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Opinion

Film

Music

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But he was virtually equal with Farage amongst the under 25s.

The Guardian

He also articulated virtually equal national rights for Israelis and Palestinians.

The New York Times

Henceforth, the naval strengths of the Japanese and of the Allies were virtually equal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The longer this goes on, the more accustomed people will become to drinking lesser-known brands and become accustomed to the virtually equal quality of those products".

The New York Times

These are invariably people waiting for their visa appointments – with visas costing $160 USD and upwards, virtually equal to the minimum wage of GHC 350.

The Guardian - Opinion

And you'll find a virtually equal percentage of girls and boys in the ranks of the National Youth Orchestras of Great Britain and Scotland.

The Guardian - Music

Even in countries like the United States, in which women enjoy virtually equal opportunities outside the home, patriarchal norms assign them primary responsibility for family care.

The New York Times

This study found that the risk of both fatal and nonfatal heart attacks with smokeless tobacco use was virtually equal to the risk with cigarette use.

The New York Times

That time is virtually equal to that of a Mustang Boss 302, which requires a 5-liter V-8 and 129 additional horses to do it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In Denver, Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas are now virtually equals.

The New York Times - Sports

In the first half, when Foster's net profits gained 10%, to $165 million, on sales of $1.2 billion, sales and profits from wine virtually equaled those from beer.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two entities or values, ensure that the context makes it clear what specific aspect is "virtually equal".

Common error

Avoid using "virtually equal" when there are significant differences between the compared entities. It should only be used when the differences are negligible or irrelevant for the purpose of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually equal" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, used to describe a noun by indicating a state of near-equivalence. It softens the assertion of equality, acknowledging minor differences while emphasizing overall similarity. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

57%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Film

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually equal" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe two things that are nearly the same. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is widespread and accepted in written English. It functions as an adjectival phrase, emphasizing a close comparison while acknowledging minor discrepancies. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, signaling its suitability for formal and neutral registers. When writing, remember that alternatives like "almost identical" or "nearly equivalent" can offer subtle shifts in meaning. Avoid using "virtually equal" when the differences are substantial, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical

Indicates a very slight difference, emphasizing near perfection in matching.

effectively equal

Emphasizes that the equality is evident in the effect or result.

nearly equivalent

Focuses on the functional similarity despite potential minor variations.

practically the same

Highlights that any difference is negligible in a practical sense.

tantamount to

Implies an equivalent effect or outcome, despite different forms.

roughly equivalent

Acknowledges some level of imprecision or estimation.

comparable to

Suggests a degree of similarity that allows for comparison.

on par with

Indicates equality in status, level, or quality.

much the same as

Focuses on the similarity in character or nature.

closely related

Indicates a strong connection or similarity, though not necessarily equal.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually equal" to describe two things that are almost the same. For example, "The two candidates had "virtually equal" support among voters".

What's the difference between "virtually equal" and "exactly equal"?

"Virtually equal" means nearly the same, with minor differences, while "exactly equal" means identical in every way. If you want to convey near equivalence, use "virtually equal"; for perfect equivalence, use exactly equal.

What are some alternatives to saying "virtually equal"?

Alternatives to "virtually equal" include "almost identical", "nearly equivalent", or "practically the same", depending on the nuances you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "virtually equal" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and precise way to express near equivalence and is commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts.