virtually guarantee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually guarantee" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express a high level of certainty about an outcome, while acknowledging that there may still be some degree of uncertainty. Example: "The new marketing strategy is designed to virtually guarantee an increase in sales over the next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would virtually guarantee a Democratic victory.

The New York Times

That would virtually guarantee a flawed census.

The New York Times

The size of the squash will virtually guarantee sufficient yield.

The New York Times

Right answers to wrong questions virtually guarantee failure.

Harvard Business Review

Others think that would be foolish, since it would virtually guarantee victory for the Democrats.

The Economist

Lampard staying will virtually guarantee that he will surpass Bobby Tambling's club record of 202 goals.

Independent

They argued that the change would virtually guarantee his re-election.

The New York Times

STV would virtually guarantee that no single party could achieve an overall majority at Westminster.

The Economist

Still, state quotas for renewable energy will virtually guarantee some construction.

The New York Times

To some theorists, the new results virtually guarantee the existence of other Earthlike worlds.

The New York Times - Science

My scheme would virtually guarantee the social mix that most comprehensives have always lacked.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually guarantee", ensure the context supports a high probability. Avoid using it for speculative or uncertain situations.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually guarantee" when the outcome is merely hoped for or based on weak evidence. Overstating certainty can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually guarantee" functions as a qualifier to the verb "guarantee", modifying its strength. It softens the absolute claim of a guarantee, implying a very high degree of probability without complete certainty. Examples from Ludwig AI demonstrate usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually guarantee" is a phrase used to express a strong likelihood or high probability of a particular outcome. It functions as a qualifier, softening the absolute certainty of a full guarantee. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news media, science, and business. While it is suitable for formal settings, its register is generally neutral. When writing, be mindful of overstating certainty and choose the phrase only when there is strong evidence to support the anticipated outcome. If you're looking for alternatives, consider options like "almost assure" or "practically ensure".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all but guarantee

An idiom that suggests something is almost certain to happen, very close in meaning.

almost assure

Indicates a near certainty, but slightly less emphatic than "virtually guarantee".

practically ensure

Emphasizes the practical aspect of ensuring something, making it very likely to happen.

nearly assure

Similar to "almost assure", conveying a high probability but not absolute certainty.

effectively promise

Highlights the implied commitment or expectation associated with the outcome.

in effect, ensure

Focuses on the actual outcome of ensuring something, though not explicitly stated.

realistically assure

Adds a layer of realism or pragmatism to the assurance.

safely predict

Shifts focus to prediction, but with a high level of confidence.

confidently expect

Emphasizes the confidence in anticipating a particular outcome.

highly probable

Expresses the high probability of an event without suggesting certainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually guarantee" to express a high degree of certainty about an outcome, such as, "Implementing this strategy will virtually guarantee success."

What are some alternatives to "virtually guarantee"?

You can use alternatives like "almost assure", "practically ensure", or "all but guarantee" depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "virtually guarantee" or "absolutely guarantee"?

"Virtually guarantee" implies a very high probability but acknowledges a slight possibility of failure, while "absolutely guarantee" suggests 100% certainty. Choose "virtually" to be more realistic about potential unforeseen factors.

What is the difference between "virtually guarantee" and "likely to guarantee"?

"Virtually guarantee" conveys a stronger sense of assurance than "likely to guarantee". While "likely to guarantee" suggests a good chance of something happening, "virtually guarantee" indicates it is almost certain.