virtually everybody

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually everybody" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that almost all people are included in a statement or situation, with a slight allowance for exceptions. Example: "At the event, virtually everybody enjoyed the keynote speaker's presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Virtually everybody was Christian.

The New York Times - Arts

Virtually everybody is corrupt more or less.

The New York Times

Virtually everybody who was anybody rests there.

Britannica

"Virtually everybody will have some side effects".

The New York Times - Health

Virtually everybody will get presbyopia, usually after age 40.

The New York Times

The actual voting figures ended up shocking virtually everybody.

The New Yorker

As noon beckoned, virtually everybody had made it inside.

The New Yorker

These planes are older than virtually everybody in this room.

The New York Times

Today, virtually everybody knows someone who has died from cancer.

The Guardian

Virtually everybody has a job and/ or multiple children.

The New York Times

This familiarity extends beyond pols to virtually everybody.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually everybody" to convey a strong sense of near-universal inclusion, while acknowledging the possibility of rare exceptions. It's more emphatic than "almost everyone".

Common error

Avoid using "virtually everybody" when the context clearly involves significant exceptions or a smaller subset of people. Using alternatives such as "most people" or "many individuals" may be more appropriate in these instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually everybody" functions as a determiner phrase, quantifying and modifying a noun (often implied, such as 'people'). As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a very high degree of inclusion, close to universality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually everybody" is a widely used phrase that indicates a near-universal application or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a determiner phrase expressing a very high degree of inclusion. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media, but also in academic and professional settings. While highly versatile, it's important to ensure its accuracy by avoiding its use when significant exceptions exist. Consider "almost everyone" or "nearly everyone" as alternatives for slight variations in emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost everyone

Slightly less formal and emphasizes the nearness to including everyone.

nearly everyone

Similar to "almost everyone", focusing on proximity to complete inclusion.

practically everyone

Highlights the practical reality of including almost all individuals.

just about everyone

Informal and indicates a high degree of inclusion with few exceptions.

all but a few

Emphasizes the small number of exceptions rather than the included majority.

the vast majority

More formal and stresses the large proportion of people included.

almost without exception

Highlights the rarity of exceptions to the generalization.

for the most part, everyone

Acknowledges potential exceptions while affirming the general truth.

by and large, everyone

Indicates a general statement that holds true despite minor variations.

in general, everyone

Suggests a common trend or characteristic shared by most people.

FAQs

What does "virtually everybody" mean?

The phrase "virtually everybody" means almost everyone; it indicates that a statement applies to nearly all people, with very few exceptions.

What can I say instead of "virtually everybody"?

You can use alternatives like "almost everyone", "nearly everyone", or "practically everyone", depending on the context.

Is "virtually everybody" a formal or informal phrase?

"Virtually everybody" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts; however, in very formal writing, consider using "almost everyone" or "nearly all people".

How do you use "virtually everybody" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually everybody" to describe a widespread action, belief, or characteristic, for example: "Virtually everybody agrees that climate change is a serious issue."