virtually like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually like" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used when trying to express a similarity that is almost exact but not quite, though it's better to use clearer alternatives. Example: "The two products are virtually like each other in terms of functionality, but they differ in design."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

All of these games feature well known porn stars (helllllooo, Ron Jeremy is in Bonetown), which is cool for fans because they can interact with them virtually like never before.

TechCrunch

Potamkin had a keenly developed sense of form, which he considered virtually like music.

The New Yorker

You're visible, virtually, like a woolly (if pixelated) version of Robbie Williams.

The Guardian - Books

Now, of course, the extremist misery of "Breaking Bad" (which begins its second season on Sunday) feels virtually like reportage.

The New York Times - Arts

"Tiger has that God-given ability of strength and finesse, but his mind-set is virtually like Jack Nicklaus's was," said Irwin, a three-time United States Open champion.

The New York Times - Sports

For the majority of services that can't be delivered virtually, like Doctor on Demand, the act of rolling out city by city is expensive and time consuming.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

They are virtually like-for-like".

The Guardian - Sport

Virtually everyone liked the Celtics' chances in the series.

The New York Times - Sports

At the same time, the CerMet offers high and virtually metal-like conductor properties, enabling a down-scaling of the conductive paths to 150 µm diameter and smaller.

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

How can a nation dominate sport virtually overnight like this?" Nadal was angered by the allegations.

BBC

She won high praise from the visiting English critic Frances Trollope, who liked virtually nothing else about America.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, consider whether a more direct synonym like "almost" or "nearly" would better convey the intended degree of similarity than "virtually like".

Common error

Avoid using "virtually like" when the comparison is only superficial. If the items are not substantially similar, choose a phrase that reflects a weaker connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually like" functions as a qualifier, modifying the subsequent word or phrase to indicate a strong but not absolute similarity. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it expresses a resemblance that is close but not perfect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually like" serves as a qualifier, indicating a close but not perfect similarity between two entities. While grammatically acceptable and appearing in various contexts, its usage is somewhat uncommon and, as Ludwig AI points out, might benefit from clearer, more precise alternatives, particularly in formal writing. According to Ludwig's analysis, it is most frequently used in News & Media and Science, suggesting its utility in conveying resemblances in a broad range of topics. When accuracy is important, consider alternatives such as "almost the same as" or "nearly identical to" to provide a more definitive comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost the same as

Replaces 'virtually' with 'almost', emphasizing a high degree of similarity but not perfect identity.

nearly identical to

Focuses on the near indistinguishability of two things, more formal than "virtually like".

practically equivalent to

Stresses the practical interchangeability of the items being compared.

effectively similar to

Highlights that the effect or outcome is comparable, even if the underlying elements differ.

tantamount to

Implies that the two things are equal in their effect or value, often used in formal contexts.

much like

Simpler and more direct way of expressing similarity, omitting the nuanced 'virtually'.

comparable to

Suggests a degree of similarity that allows for comparison, though not necessarily equivalence.

akin to

Indicates a resemblance or affinity, often used to describe abstract qualities or concepts.

resembling closely

Emphasizes the visual or superficial similarities between two things.

bordering on

Indicates something is close to being a certain thing, emphasizing approximation.

FAQs

What does "virtually like" mean?

The phrase "virtually like" means almost the same as or nearly similar to. It suggests a strong resemblance without being completely identical.

Are there better alternatives to "virtually like"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "almost the same as", "nearly identical to", or "practically equivalent to".

How formal is the phrase "virtually like"?

"Virtually like" is generally suitable for neutral to semi-formal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, more precise language might be preferred.

Is "virtually like" grammatically correct?

Yes, "virtually like" is grammatically acceptable, although it's not always the most elegant or precise choice. According to Ludwig AI, it can be used when trying to express a similarity that is almost exact but not quite, though it's better to use clearer alternatives.