virtually everything except one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually everything except one" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that almost all items or aspects are included, with the exception of a single item. Example: "The report covers virtually everything except one crucial detail that was overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The two groups got together for a conference in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, in 1995, and agreed on virtually everything except for Event One.

The New Yorker

Scotland is now in charge of its own policy on virtually everything except for foreign policy, defence, social security and macroeconomics.

The Economist

She does virtually everything except scout players.

The New York Times - Sports

Virtually everything except the soil and plants was imported from China.

The New York Times - Travel

One of the investors in the airline is the Ryan family of Ireland, which founded Ryanair, Europe's low-cost carrier that has led the a la carte pricing concept in which passengers pay for virtually everything except for the seat belt and the bathroom.

Los Angeles Times

"Virtually everything else stops," one former official said.

The Guardian

During my visits there, I met children who had lost virtually everything – loved ones, homes, every material possession – and who still faced significant threats.

Unicef

(On the recording, André played everything except one synthesizer part).

The New Yorker

Everything except one thing.

The New Yorker

You've got everything except one thing: madness!

Huffington Post

Except for sheep, fish and dairy products, virtually everything consumed on the island is imported.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually everything except one" to clearly indicate near-total inclusion with a specific, limited exclusion. This phrase is useful when you want to emphasize the comprehensiveness of something while acknowledging a single exception.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually everything except one" if the exception is vague or undefined. Ensure the reader understands exactly what the "one" exception refers to, or it can weaken your statement and make it seem less precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually everything except one" functions as a quantifier with an explicit exception. It highlights near-completeness while specifying a single exclusion. Based on Ludwig's assessment, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually everything except one" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to denote near-total inclusion with a specific exclusion. As Ludwig AI correctly identifies, the expression is valid and has a very specific meaning.

While "virtually everything except one" does not have a high frequency of use, it appears across a range of reliable sources, primarily in news and media, business, and scientific contexts. When writing, be mindful that you should use "virtually everything except one" to clearly indicate near-total inclusion with a specific, limited exclusion. This phrase is useful when you want to emphasize the comprehensiveness of something while acknowledging a single exception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost everything but one

Replaces "virtually" with "almost" and "except" with "but", resulting in a slightly less formal tone.

nearly all except one

Substitutes "virtually everything" with "nearly all", offering a more concise alternative.

practically everything with one exception

Uses "practically" instead of "virtually" and explicitly states "with one exception" for clarity.

everything but a single item

Rephrases to emphasize the singularity of the exception, making the exclusion more prominent.

all but one thing

A shorter, more casual way of expressing the same concept, suitable for informal contexts.

almost every aspect except one

Focuses on aspects rather than items, useful when discussing abstract or multifaceted subjects.

virtually the entire thing except one detail

Highlights the comprehensive nature of "virtually the entire thing" while specifying the exception as a "detail".

the majority except one

Emphasizes that a majority is present, and specify an exception.

substantially everything but one

A more formal option using "substantially" to convey the completeness, while specifying an exception.

in essence everything less one

A slightly less common and slightly more formal phrasing, it uses "in essence" to emphasize general inclusion while isolating a single exclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually everything except one" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually everything except one" to indicate that almost all items or aspects are included, with the exception of a single item. For example: "The report covers "virtually everything except one" crucial detail that was overlooked."

What are some alternatives to saying "virtually everything except one"?

You can use alternatives like "almost everything but one", "nearly all except one", or "everything but a single item" depending on the context.

Is "virtually everything except one" formal or informal?

"Virtually everything except one" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality can also depend on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "virtually everything except one" and "almost everything except one"?

The difference between "virtually everything except one" and "almost everything except one" is subtle. "Virtually" suggests a higher degree of completeness than "almost", but in most contexts, they are interchangeable.