virtually ineffective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually ineffective" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost completely ineffective or has very little impact. Example: "Despite the extensive training program, the new strategies proved to be virtually ineffective in improving employee productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But many contingents, including some from Nato countries, operate under caveats which restrict what they are allowed to do, rendering them virtually ineffective in combat scenarios.

Independent

Leaching is rare and virtually ineffective; strong evaporation leads to the upward movement of alkaline salts through capillary action, which often leaves a skin of white salt lime crystals on the surface.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Other thioureylene and thioamide-containing heterocyclic systems proved virtually ineffective as NOS inhibitors.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

The Dtx conjugate alone was virtually ineffective in the reduction of tumor growth or survival time extension; thus, a curative effect could be solely attributed to the Dox-containing conjugate.

Journal of Controlled Release

However, a naïve, "direct" application of systems engineering techniques to biological problems of practical significance may be rendered virtually ineffective by fundamental differences between cell biology and chemical processes.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

In fact, just such a proposal developed by the U.S. in August was deemed by local legislators as virtually ineffective.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Most ineffective protest ever?

Huffington Post

Linking play cleverly, he was virtually unrecognisable from the ineffective passenger of recent months.

The Guardian - Sport

There is evidence that the current surgeon general warnings on the side of cigarette packs are ineffective and virtually invisible.

The New York Times

Pakistani author and Taliban expert Ahmed Rashid said that, prior to 2001, the Taliban's "media reach to the Afghan people and the world had been virtually zero and totally ineffective".

Huffington Post

If a guilty plea were made in exchange for a plea bargain and the defendant when asked by the judge if she or he were satisfied with the representation provided by the defense attorney, answered "yes," it is virtually assured that an ineffective assistance of counsel claim will be denied.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually ineffective", consider whether a stronger, more direct term might be appropriate for emphasis. For instance, using "useless" or "futile" can sometimes provide more impact.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually ineffective" when something is completely ineffective. Reserve it for situations where there's a very slight, almost negligible effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually ineffective" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the degree to which something lacks effectiveness. It indicates that something is almost, but not quite, entirely ineffective. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually ineffective" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that has almost no effect or impact. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various domains, predominantly in scientific and news contexts. While the phrase is widely accepted, it is important to consider the context and potential for redundancy or overstatement. Alternatives such as "almost useless" or "essentially inoperative" may offer a more precise or impactful description depending on the specific situation. When writing, ensure that "virtually ineffective" accurately reflects the degree of ineffectiveness and avoid using it when a stronger term would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost useless

Emphasizes the near complete lack of utility or benefit.

practically worthless

Highlights the lack of value or effectiveness in a practical sense.

essentially inoperative

Focuses on the lack of operational capability or function.

nearly powerless

Stresses the lack of influence or ability to produce a desired effect.

as good as useless

Suggests a state that is equivalent to being completely useless.

to all intents and purposes ineffective

A formal expression that emphasizes ineffectiveness from every practical point of view.

hardly effective

Implies a minimal level of effectiveness that is insufficient.

scarcely operative

Highlights the rarity or infrequency of any effective operation.

barely functional

Emphasizes minimal functionality to the point of ineffectiveness.

in effect, useless

Directly states the uselessness of something, framing it as the effective outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually ineffective" to describe something that has very little or almost no effect, such as "The new policy proved "virtually ineffective" in reducing crime rates."

What are some alternatives to "virtually ineffective"?

Alternatives include "almost useless", "practically worthless", or "essentially inoperative". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "completely virtually ineffective"?

Yes, saying "completely virtually ineffective" is generally redundant. "Virtually" already implies near-completeness, so adding "completely" doesn't add significant meaning and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "ineffective" and "virtually ineffective"?

"Ineffective" means something doesn't produce the desired result, while "virtually ineffective" suggests it produces almost no result. The latter emphasizes a near-zero impact.