virtually instantaneously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually instantaneously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that occurs almost immediately, with very little delay. Example: "The software update was applied virtually instantaneously, allowing users to access the new features without any noticeable wait time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

They sold it virtually instantaneously - for a record sum.

The Guardian - Arts

Faxes are also date-stamped and arrive virtually instantaneously, along with a confirmation.

The New York Times - Tech

Trades are posted virtually instantaneously, and so are the prices being sought by buyers and sellers.

The New York Times

Last night, in the span of less than an hour, you responded to my emails virtually instantaneously and graciously.

Columbia University

It allows the Legislature, with the approval of the governor, to introduce and vote on bills virtually instantaneously, with no time at all for public input.

The New Yorker

Then they can communicate virtually instantaneously with other users of the software by sending a message, which travels through Aimster's computers and then to the other user.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Digitized information has some weird and wonderful properties: it can be transmitted almost instantaneously and copied at virtually zero cost, and copies are identical to the original.

Huffington Post

Email has become today's modern letter, however recipients can receive the message almost instantaneously, which can even create virtually a real time conversation if both participants are on the computer.

WikiHow

It is connected to every other computer on the planet and can access virtually every piece of human knowledge ever created, nearly instantaneously.

The Guardian - Tech

Thousands of communications channels make it possible for virtually anyone in the developed world to know, almost instantaneously, what others do, think, believe, claim, or predict.

Harvard Business Review

They said no, almost instantaneously.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually instantaneously" to describe processes or actions that occur so rapidly that the delay is negligible. This is especially effective when emphasizing the speed of technological processes or scientific reactions.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually instantaneously" in simple, everyday situations where a more common term like "immediately" or "quickly" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually instantaneously" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the manner in which an action occurs. It emphasizes the speed and near-immediacy of the event. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually instantaneously" is a useful adverbial phrase for describing actions that occur with minimal delay. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and readily usable. While frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, it adds a sense of precision when emphasizing speed. Alternatives like "almost immediately" or "nearly instantaneously" can be used for variety, but "virtually instantaneously" effectively conveys a sense of near-zero delay. When writing, be mindful of overuse in simple contexts to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost immediately

Emphasizes the near absence of delay, focusing on the immediacy of the action.

nearly instantaneously

Similar to the original phrase, but replaces "virtually" with "nearly", indicating a very short time frame.

practically instantaneously

Uses "practically" instead of "virtually", conveying the action occurs almost without any delay.

almost instantaneously

Replaces "virtually" with "almost", maintaining the meaning of happening very quickly.

in a split second

Uses a more figurative expression to highlight the extreme rapidity of the action.

in the blink of an eye

A common idiom that conveys something happening extremely fast.

without delay

Focuses on the absence of any waiting period, though not necessarily implying extreme speed.

right away

Indicates immediate action, though it doesn't necessarily imply something happens at near-zero time.

at once

Implies immediate commencement of an action, but not necessarily the completion of it.

forthwith

A more formal term indicating immediacy, but can also simply mean without any delay.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually instantaneously" to describe actions or processes that happen extremely quickly. For example: "The data was processed "virtually instantaneously"."

What are some alternatives to "virtually instantaneously"?

Some alternatives include "almost immediately", "nearly instantaneously", or "in a split second", depending on the context.

Is "virtually instantaneously" formal or informal?

"Virtually instantaneously" is relatively formal. Simpler alternatives like "immediately" or "instantly" are more appropriate for informal contexts.

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

The difference is subtle. "Virtually" implies near completion or effect, while "almost" suggests near occurrence. In most contexts, "almost instantaneously" and "virtually instantaneously" are interchangeable.