virtually faultless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually faultless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost perfect or has very few errors. Example: "The artist's technique was virtually faultless, showcasing her exceptional skill and attention to detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

So far this week, Spieth has been virtually faultless.

The New Yorker

Even if you're seeing it for the umpteenth time, you can be surprised by the musical's vigor, warmth, uplift and virtually faultless construction.

The New York Times

They were virtually faultless, showing dogged determination to blunt the new-ball attack on an admittedly true surface.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Part of this feels almost faultless.

The New Yorker

But then, Ms. Wintour has always been about faultless grooming.

The New York Times - Style

The Sixth and Seventh, however, were well nigh faultless.

The Guardian - Music

Most people who are poor have not gotten there faultless.

Huffington Post

Faultless, actually.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nico was faultless.

The Guardian - Sport

Ah, faultless legal reasoning.

The Guardian - Film

His pacing was faultless.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually faultless" to describe performances, constructions, or systems that have very few or no mistakes. It's appropriate for formal and semi-formal contexts where you want to convey a high degree of accuracy or quality.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually faultless" when describing something that clearly has noticeable flaws. The phrase implies a level of near-perfection, so ensure it aligns with the actual quality or condition of what you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually faultless" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "faultless". It suggests that something is nearly perfect, possessing few, if any, noticeable errors or defects. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually faultless" is a phrase used to describe something that is near-perfect. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. While its frequency is relatively rare, it's predominantly found in News & Media contexts. Related alternatives include "almost flawless" and "nearly perfect". When using "virtually faultless", ensure the context reflects a high degree of accuracy or quality, avoiding its use when describing something with obvious flaws. The phrase is appropriate for formal and semi-formal contexts and has a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost flawless

Emphasizes the absence of flaws while acknowledging a slight possibility of imperfections.

nearly perfect

Highlights the approximation to perfection, suggesting a very high degree of accuracy or quality.

practically impeccable

Indicates a state of being beyond reproach, with very few things that could be criticized.

close to perfect

Suggests that something is approaching perfection but may not have fully reached it.

virtually flawless

Similar to the original, but emphasizes flawlessness instead of faultlessness.

essentially perfect

Highlights that the item or action is perfect in all essential aspects, even if minor details may be lacking.

almost without error

Focuses on the rarity of errors, suggesting a very high level of accuracy or precision.

largely error-free

Indicates that the majority of something is free from errors, but some errors may still exist.

next to perfect

Conveys a high degree of perfection, suggesting that something is very close to being perfect.

borderline flawless

Implies that something is almost flawless, pushing the boundaries of flawlessness.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually faultless" to describe something that is close to perfect or has very few errors. For example, "The pianist's performance was "virtually faultless", showcasing incredible skill".

What phrases are similar to "virtually faultless"?

Similar phrases include "almost flawless", "nearly perfect", and "practically impeccable".

Is it better to say "virtually faultless" or "completely faultless"?

"Virtually faultless" implies near perfection with minimal errors, whereas "completely faultless" suggests absolute perfection, which is often difficult to achieve. "Virtually faultless" is usually more realistic and appropriate.

What's the difference between "virtually faultless" and "almost faultless"?

The difference between "virtually faultless" and "almost faultless" is minimal; both suggest a state very close to perfection. "Virtually" may slightly emphasize the impression of perfection more strongly than "almost".