virtually every student

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually every student" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that the majority of students are included in a certain group or situation. For example: "Virtually every student in the school participates in the annual fundraiser."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Virtually every student incorporated classrooms, open space and fresh air, and spaces for family visits and therapy.

The New Yorker

Virtually every student in the recent production of "Anything Goes" can sight read a musical score, a talent they picked up in the choral music class.

The New York Times

At the Ocean School in Far Rockaway, Queens, where virtually every student is poor enough to qualify for free lunch, none of the 12 teachers in the ratings ranked "low" or "below average".

The New York Times

These policies don't just sweep in a little protected speech; in some cases, they go so far as to make virtually every student on campus guilty of harassment.

Huffington Post

Virtually every student of biology in secondary or higher education systems of the Western world, as well as many places influenced by textbooks produced therein, has been presented the example of "Lumbricus terrestris" as an object of study.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That was also the dream of virtually every other student in my 6th form college.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before long, the code would inform the criminal law that virtually every law student in the country was learning.

The New York Times

A new state law had just taken effect, requiring virtually every college student to be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis before stepping on campus.

The New York Times

NO! Now is not the time to procrastinate, although virtually every grad student does at this point.

Science Magazine

You may not take it now, but virtually every graduate student I have ever met (including me) is sorry they didn't.

Science Magazine

Unlike at the mostly-Black public school his sister attended, virtually every Germantown Friends student continues on to higher education -- including Lee, who ultimately graduated from Connecticut College.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually every student" when you want to convey that a situation applies to almost all students, acknowledging that there might be very few exceptions. For example, "Virtually every student participates in extracurricular activities".

Common error

Avoid using "virtually every student" when the situation doesn't truly apply to a large majority. If a significant number of students are exceptions, a more nuanced phrase like "many students" or "most students" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually every student" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun. It indicates a quantity that is close to totality. As Ludwig confirms, it correctly emphasizes that the majority of students are included in a group or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually every student" is a correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to indicate that a situation or characteristic applies to almost all students within a specific context. While subtle, it implies that any exceptions are so few as to be negligible. It's most frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the generalization is accurate and appropriate to avoid overstatement. If significant exceptions exist, consider using more moderate language like "most students". Also consider almost all students

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost all students

Emphasizes near-completeness but with a slightly less formal tone.

nearly every student

Similar to "almost all", conveying a high degree of inclusiveness.

almost every single student

Emphasizes the individual inclusion of each student.

practically every student

Highlights the idea that any exceptions are negligible.

the vast majority of students

Focuses on the large proportion of students included.

the overwhelming majority of students

Focuses on the significantly larger number than any other group.

in effect every student

Highlights that though exceptions may exist, they don't practically alter the overall result.

by and large every student

States a fact by disregarding minor exceptions.

for all practical purposes every student

Emphasizes that while theoretically exceptions may exist, practically the statement is true.

a large number of students

More general, indicating a significant but not necessarily near-complete inclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually every student" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually every student" to indicate that almost all students are involved in a particular activity or situation. For example, "Virtually every student at the school attended the pep rally."

What are some alternatives to "virtually every student"?

Some alternatives include "almost all students", "nearly every student", or "the vast majority of students".

Is it correct to say "virtually every student"?

Yes, "virtually every student" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe a situation that applies to almost all students.

What is the difference between "virtually every student" and "almost all students"?

The phrases "virtually every student" and "almost all students" are very similar in meaning. "Virtually every student" may slightly emphasize that the exceptions are negligible.