virtually even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually even" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more things are almost equal or balanced, but not perfectly so. Example: "The scores were virtually even, with only a slight margin separating the two teams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

In the latest polls, the race appears to be virtually even.

The New Yorker

Weichert's rate of sales for the first half of October was virtually even with October 2000 in New Jersey.

The New York Times

Mr. Gingrich, who resigned as speaker after Republicans lost seats in 1998 as his party worked to impeach President Clinton, said the election showed "we are a nation divided, virtually even in the Senate, virtually even in the House, virtually even for the presidency".

The New York Times

The male to female ratio is virtually even, and our conversion rate from members to subscribers is three times higher than the industry average".

The Guardian

Over all, advancing stocks were virtually even with declines on the New York Stock Exchange, with more than 1.06 billion shares traded.

The New York Times

Beyond the number of seats in Congress, if one adds up all the votes cast in 2000 for the House of Representatives across 435 individual districts, they are virtually even between the parties.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

And virtually everywhere, even as profits surge, workers' real incomes have been flat or even falling.

The Economist

Such a tactic would have been virtually unthinkable even a week ago.

The Guardian

After selling Darren Bent, Jordan Henderson and Kenwyne Jones, he has virtually broken even on transfers.

The Guardian - Sport

And she replies (as you knew she would), "Believe me, it's virtually impossible even then".

The New Yorker

Removing poorly performing teachers is virtually impossible, even over allegations of sexual or substance abuse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually even", ensure the context clearly establishes the items being compared and the metric by which they are nearly equal. For instance, specify "virtually even in polls" or "virtually even in sales" to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually even" when there is a significant difference between the items being compared. It is more accurate to use terms like "close" or "comparable" if the difference is non-negligible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually even" functions as an adverbial modifier to an adjective, specifically modifying "even" to denote a state of near or approximate equality. It highlights that while things may not be perfectly balanced, the difference is minimal. As confirmed by Ludwig, this expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually even" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe situations where two or more things are nearly equal or balanced. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly in contexts such as news reporting and analytical discussions. While "virtually even" implies a slight difference, it effectively communicates a high degree of similarity. Alternatives include "almost equal" and "nearly identical", but the best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance. When using "virtually even", clarity and precision are key to ensure accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost equal

Emphasizes the near equality without necessarily implying a previous imbalance.

Nearly identical

Highlights the high degree of similarity between two or more things.

Practically the same

Indicates that any differences are negligible or inconsequential.

Substantially equivalent

Suggests equivalence in substance or effect, despite potential minor differences.

Roughly equivalent

Emphasizes an approximate equivalence, allowing for a greater margin of difference.

In close agreement

Focuses on the high level of agreement or correspondence between two things.

Neck and neck

Describes a situation where competitors are very close in a race or competition.

A close call

Implies that the result was very close and could have gone either way.

On par

Suggests that something is at the same level or standard as something else.

In the same ballpark

Indicates that values are similar and within a reasonable range of each other.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually even" to describe situations where two or more things are almost equal or balanced. For example, "The two candidates are "virtually even" in the polls."

What phrases can I use instead of "virtually even"?

Alternatives to "virtually even" include "almost equal", "nearly identical", or "practically the same" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "virtually even"?

Yes, "virtually even" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English to indicate near equality or balance, according to Ludwig.

What is the difference between "virtually even" and "exactly equal"?

"Virtually even" implies a slight difference or margin, while "exactly equal" means there is no difference at all. Use ""virtually even"" when things are very close but not perfectly the same.