virtually everything but

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually everything but" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that almost all items or aspects are included, except for a specific one or a few. Example: "The store sells virtually everything but fresh produce, which is why I go to the farmer's market for my fruits and vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"We remember virtually everything, but we recall very little," Snyder explains.

The New York Times - Magazine

Well, the offense lacked virtually everything, but the Bruins' inability to pass consistently made them extremely one-dimensional.

The New York Times

There are different ways to view the decline in ratings for virtually everything but the Super Bowl.

The New York Times - Sports

The merchandise for sale will include seats, the foul poles, walls from Monument Park — virtually everything but the grass and the bases.

The New York Times

I start with a salad in which virtually everything but the artichokes is raw, so the flavors are clean and refreshing.

The New York Times - Food

The Buildings Department gave Mr. DiScala permission to demolish dozens of cottages at Spanish Camp, virtually everything but the Day cottage and the two nearby.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Virtually everything costs more, but not to the degree that housing does".

The New York Times

Increasingly an asymmetry has developed: they potentially know virtually everything about us, but we know virtually nothing about them.

The Guardian

Chinn says: "Being a triple Taurus, he was very sure of himself about virtually everything he did, but in this milieu he was kind of scared.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yoni Freedhoff, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Ottawa, Canada, another adviser to the group, said: "Not only has added sugar found its way into virtually everything we eat, but worse still, the use of sugar as a means to pacify, entertain and reward children has become normalised to the point that questioning our current sugary status quo often inspires anger and outrage".

The Guardian

Sure there's Nintendo, sushi, vending machines that sell virtually everything, and Pokemon, but look slightly deeper and you find a prolific, productive, and inventive electronic music scene.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually everything but" to clearly indicate a comprehensive inclusion with a specific, limited exclusion. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures precise communication.

Common error

While "virtually everything but" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very casual or informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "almost everything except" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually everything but" functions as a quantifier with an exception. It signifies near-total inclusion while explicitly stating an exclusion. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually everything but" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to express near-total inclusion with a specific exclusion. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives exist, the phrase effectively and clearly communicates a comprehensive scope with a noted exception. The key is to ensure its level of formality aligns with the intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost everything except

Replaces "virtually" with "almost", offering a slightly less formal tone.

Practically everything excluding

Uses "practically" instead of "virtually" and "excluding" instead of "but", creating a slightly more technical feel.

Nearly everything barring

Substitutes "virtually" with "nearly" and "but" with "barring", which adds a slightly more archaic tone.

Everything with the exception of

Offers a more formal and explicit way of expressing the exclusion.

All but

A shorter, more concise way of saying almost everything is included.

Almost all with the exception of

Combining "almost all" with "with the exception of" for a very explicit exclusion.

The majority except

Shifts the focus from "everything" to "majority", implying a slightly less complete inclusion.

Largely everything excluding

Similar to 'Practically everything excluding', but replacing 'Practically' with 'Largely'

For the most part, everything but

Adding "for the most part" softens the absolute nature of "everything".

Substantially everything except

Uses 'substantially' to emphasize that nearly everything meets the criteria.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually everything but" in a sentence?

Use "virtually everything but" to indicate that nearly all items or aspects are included, except for a specific exclusion. For example, "The store sells "virtually everything but" fresh produce".

What are some alternatives to "virtually everything but"?

You can use alternatives such as "almost everything except", "practically everything excluding", or "nearly everything barring" depending on the context.

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "almost everything except" and "virtually everything but"?

While both phrases are similar, ""virtually everything but"" might imply a slightly higher degree of comprehensiveness than "almost everything except". The choice often depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can I use "virtually everything but" in formal writing?

Yes, ""virtually everything but"" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the document. Consider using a more formal alternative like "everything with the exception of" for added emphasis.