virtually every time

USAGE SUMMARY

"virtually every time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that happens very often. For example, "I have to explain the directions to visitors virtually every time they come by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby was booed virtually every time he touched the puck Tuesday night.

The New York Times - Sports

Virtually every time my elder daughter, Alix, invited friends round, they would watch the film.

The Guardian

One man who is there virtually every time, year after year, dominates.

The New York Times - Arts

Throughout all four, he stole the show virtually every time he opened his mouth.

The New York Times

"I felt awful virtually every time I've had one of my on-court meltdowns".

The Guardian - Books

Virtually every time we transplant a human organ, we knowingly transfer an infectious agent.

The New York Times - Health

Virtually every time Mr. Romney spoke, he misrepresented the platform on which he and Paul Ryan are actually running.

The New York Times

Early in the marriage, they fought over directions virtually every time they sat in the car together.

The New York Times

Virtually every time Clemens encountered some danger against the Orioles, he used a fastball to rescue him.

The New York Times - Sports

The answer pops up, literally, virtually every time someone signs on to America Online: in-your-face advertising.

The New York Times

You tend to get beaten, you don't exactly travel by luxury charter jet - it's domestic flights virtually every time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually every time" to emphasize a high degree of frequency, suggesting only rare exceptions. It's more impactful than 'often' but less absolute than 'always'.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually every time" when there are significant exceptions. Overusing it can weaken your argument and undermine credibility. Instead, consider phrases like "frequently" or "often" if the event doesn't occur almost every time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually every time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the frequency of an action or event, suggesting it occurs in almost all instances. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually every time" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express that something occurs in nearly all instances. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage is correct and effective in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, and sports contexts, this phrase serves to emphasize regularity and consistency. When using this phrase, ensure the context genuinely reflects a high degree of frequency and avoid overstating its applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost always

Replaces "virtually every time" with a simpler, more direct expression of frequency.

nearly every instance

Substitutes "time" with "instance", emphasizing the individual occurrences.

in almost all cases

Focuses on the cases or situations where something happens, rather than the timing.

practically every occasion

Uses "practically" instead of "virtually", maintaining a similar meaning of near-universality.

more often than not

Expresses that something happens frequently, although not necessarily in almost every instance.

as a rule

Implies something happens consistently, though not explicitly every time.

for the most part

Indicates that something is generally true, but allows for some exceptions.

almost without exception

Highlights the rarity of exceptions to a general rule.

ordinarily

Suggests that something usually happens in a certain way.

typically

Indicates that something is representative of a usual pattern or behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually every time" to describe actions or events that happen with great regularity. For example, "Virtually every time I visit that restaurant, I order the same dish."

What phrases are similar to "virtually every time"?

Alternatives to "virtually every time" include "almost always", "nearly every instance", and "in almost all cases". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "practically every time" instead of "virtually every time"?

Yes, "practically every time" is a valid and very similar alternative to "virtually every time". Both phrases suggest a high frequency of occurrence with very few exceptions.

When is it not appropriate to use "virtually every time"?

Avoid using "virtually every time" if the event or action does not genuinely occur with very high frequency. If there are noticeable exceptions, consider using a less emphatic phrase such as "often" or "frequently".