virtually just

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually just" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost or nearly the same as something else, often in a context where precision is not critical. Example: "The results of the experiment were virtually just what we expected, confirming our hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"For example, you could turn it into an organ and create songs and chord structures virtually just with your voice.

The Guardian - Music

Over the past year, I've watched with growing hope and excitement as new technologies have begun giving passengers in other major cities the ability to hail a cab virtually, just by tapping a button on their smartphones, instantly connecting passengers with available cabs in real time.

The New York Times

When scheduling the loop body, the top-down scheduler schedules operations not on the critical path, such as loop counter increment and loop repeat condition evaluation, as early as possible, while the bottom-up scheduler schedules them as late as possible, virtually just before the branch takes place.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Until recently seen as a top Oscar favorite, it's also proved to be a shocking box office bomb, falling away to virtually nothing just now after only its third weekend in general release.

Huffington Post

According to Monday's letter, PMF was "virtually eradicated" just 15 years ago, but the sample of long-term underground miners from last year showed a nearly ten-fold increase, to 3.23percentt of workers, in the central Appalachian states.

Huffington Post

Mr. Oppenheim was virtually unknown just a few years ago.

The New York Times

"We must now be ready for contingencies that seemed virtually impossible just a few months ago".

The New York Times

Well, he is virtually doing just that, at least on the Internet.

The New York Times

He tried to pull himself out with his right arm, not realizing it had been virtually severed just below the shoulder.

The New York Times

Clothing, household goods and department store sales all dropped to leave sales over the year since last April virtually flat – just 0.2% up.

The Guardian - Business

While Google's machine learning demonstrations involve solving problems which were described as "virtually impossible" just two years ago, mine could barely string a sentence together.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually just" when you want to convey that something is almost, but not quite, in a particular state or condition. It is best suited for situations where absolute precision is not required.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually just" when the situation demands exactness. For instance, if referring to numerical data or critical measurements, use more precise language. Overstating in these cases may mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually just" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which something is true or accurate. It serves to qualify a statement, suggesting it is nearly, but not completely, the case. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies verbs and adjectives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually just" is a correct and usable adverbial phrase to express approximation. While not exceedingly common, it appears across different source types, including news and scientific publications. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical function is to modify statements, softening the claim with an implication of near equivalence. When writing, make sure not to use "virtually just" when the situation demands absolute precision, and consider using alternatives like "almost exactly" or "practically the same" to match your intended nuance. According to Ludwig's analysis, its usage is consistent with conveying a state that is close to, but not exactly, the described condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost exactly

Emphasizes the high degree of similarity.

practically the same

Highlights the functional equivalence.

nearly identical

Focuses on the lack of discernible difference.

essentially the same

Points out the core similarity.

in effect

Indicates the outcome is the same.

for all intents and purposes

Highlights legal or practical consequences.

pretty much the same

Suggests a very high level of resemblance.

tantamount to

Equates in effect or value.

as good as

Emphasizes practical equivalence.

akin to

Suggests resemblance or similarity in quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually just" to indicate something is nearly or almost in a certain state. For example, "The project is "virtually just" complete, with only a few minor adjustments remaining."

What are some alternatives to "virtually just"?

Alternatives include "almost exactly", "practically the same", or "nearly identical", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "virtually just"?

Yes, "virtually just" is a correct and usable phrase in English. It is used to express that something is very close to being a certain way.

What's the difference between "virtually just" and "literally just"?

"Virtually just" means 'almost' or 'nearly', while "literally just" means 'exactly' or 'in a strict sense'. They have opposite meanings; use them carefully.