virtually exclusively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually exclusively" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to emphasize that something is nearly or almost completely limited to a particular thing or situation. Example: The new store caters to a virtually exclusive clientele, offering high-end products and personalized services only to members of their exclusive club.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The first was reported virtually exclusively by CNN.

The Guardian

Tyler and Waters concentrate their work virtually exclusively on Baltimore; Levinson, mostly so.

The Guardian - Travel

The players you choose are, virtually exclusively, the No1s in their positions in their countries, class acts, but the Lions is another team.

The Guardian - Sport

Much of Mr. Martens's questioning sought to show that the financial firms responsible for constructing the mortgage securities were wary of working with hedge funds like Paulson & Company that wanted to bet virtually exclusively against the investments' success.

The New York Times

"The compromise orchestrated by the A.G. in this case destroys the estate plan Brown had established in favor of an arrangement overseen virtually exclusively by the A.G.," Associate Justice John W. Kittredge wrote.

The New York Times

As Diarmaid MacCulloch points out in his new, immensely ambitious and absorbing history, "Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years" (Viking; $45), the phrase, which occurs in the Gospels "virtually exclusively in the reported words of Jesus," certainly isn't at all the same as the later "Son of God," and may merely be Aramaic for "folks like us".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

With the media focusing almost exclusively on private charities, virtually nothing has been reported about the importance of the monthly Social Security benefits payable to just about all of these children to age 18 (19 if still in high school).

The New York Times

The government has demonstrated little political strategy in coping with the revolt so far, relying almost exclusively on violence since August, deepening opposition in virtually every region of the country, and provoking extended clans in eastern and southern Syria.

The New York Times

My Christian brothers and fellow social conservatives adopted a narrow definition of values that centered almost exclusively on opposition to gay marriage and abortion to the exclusion of virtually everything else.

Huffington Post

What's interesting about how Halfbrick turns its game ideas into actual products is that virtually all of its games use one underlying engine (written almost exclusively in C++).

TechCrunch

The island was virtually devoid of internal communication systems, and the inhabitants lived almost exclusively in villages.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually exclusively", ensure that the context truly implies a near-complete limitation, and consider whether a more precise term might be appropriate if there are significant exceptions.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually exclusively" when there are notable exceptions or variations, as this can weaken the credibility of your statement. Be mindful of overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually exclusively" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the extent to which an action or characteristic is limited. It adds precision, indicating near-total restriction. Ludwig AI validates the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually exclusively" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial modifier that indicates a near-complete limitation. As confirmed by Ludwig, its function is to add precision by specifying the extent to which something is almost entirely confined to a particular condition. It appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While similar phrases exist, understanding the specific nuance of "virtually exclusively" is crucial for accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost entirely

Focuses on the extent to which something is complete, similar to "virtually exclusively" but may imply a slightly smaller margin of exception.

practically solely

Emphasizes the singular nature of something, akin to "virtually exclusively" but highlights the concept of 'only one'.

nearly uniquely

Underscores how distinct something is, similar to "virtually exclusively" in limiting scope.

almost completely

Stresses the degree of completeness, similar to "virtually exclusively" but focuses on achieving a near-total state.

primarily limited to

Highlights restriction, similar to "virtually exclusively" but with a clearer emphasis on constraint.

largely restricted to

Indicates a significant degree of limitation, like "virtually exclusively" but emphasizes the act of restriction.

chiefly confined to

Focuses on containment, similarly to "virtually exclusively" but more explicitly about something being kept within boundaries.

essentially limited to

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the restriction, mirroring "virtually exclusively" but highlighting what's basic or necessary.

effectively uniquely

Highlights the practical outcome of being unique, akin to "virtually exclusively" by underscoring the result of limitation.

tantamount to solely

Expresses equivalence to something being singular, relating to "virtually exclusively" by suggesting a parallel to 'only'.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually exclusively" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually exclusively" to indicate that something is almost entirely limited to a particular context or characteristic. For example, "The research was conducted "virtually exclusively" in laboratory settings."

What are some alternatives to "virtually exclusively"?

Alternatives include "almost entirely", "practically solely", or "nearly uniquely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "virtually exclusively" the same as "almost exclusively"?

"Virtually exclusively" and "almost exclusively" are very similar, both indicating a near-total limitation. However, "virtually" might suggest a slightly stronger degree of exclusion than "almost."

What is the register of the phrase "virtually exclusively"?

The phrase "virtually exclusively" is suitable for formal writing but can be used in news or general contexts as well. Its register is considered neutral to formal, depending on the overall tone of the content.