virtually more than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually more than" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear and may lead to confusion, as "virtually" implies something that is almost or nearly the case, which contradicts the comparative "more than." Example: "The new software is virtually more than just a tool; it’s a complete solution."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And to be honest, I stay very busy, so I connect with friends virtually more than IRL.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is, rather, a pure-dance ballet in which inventive choreography is virtually more important than the emotions conveyed.

The New York Times - Arts

In future an increasing proportion of work will be done virtually, much more than just software development and digital design.

The Guardian - Opinion

A major complaint focuses on the suddenness of the Israeli withdrawal, which was completed virtually overnight, more than six weeks ahead of Prime Minister Barak's target date of July 7.

The New York Times

Prof Ceder and his colleagues have virtually screened more than 12,000 materials.

BBC

In these tests, nodes virtually situated more than 1-hop away are also able to send traffic to the destination node thanks to the routing protocol.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Given the order of magnitude of the increase in bank reserves, from virtually nothing to more than $1 trillion almost overnight and now to more than $2 trillion, it was not unreasonable to be concerned about the potential for Zimbabwe-style hyperinflation.

The New York Times

Johannesburg's black population virtually doubled, to more than 400,000.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Legislators virtually never face more than token opposition for re-election.

The New York Times

Indeed, it is precisely because it has continued, challenged but virtually unchecked, for more than a generation, that political cynicism has intensified.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, it is precisely because it has gone on challenged, but virtually unchecked, for more than a generation, that political cynicism has intensified.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reconsider the phrase. Often, a more direct wording like "almost greater than" or "nearly surpassing" will provide better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually more than" when you intend to convey a sense of approximation combined with exceeding a limit. The combination can confuse readers. Choose clearer alternatives such as "almost" or "practically".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually more than" attempts to function as an intensifier modifying a comparative. However, this usage is questionable, as the combination of "virtually" (meaning almost or nearly) with "more than" creates semantic ambiguity. Ludwig AI confirms it is not correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually more than" presents a challenge in terms of grammatical correctness and semantic clarity. While it appears in some sources, Ludwig AI indicates it is incorrect. Its attempt to combine approximation with exceeding a limit leads to ambiguity. For clearer communication, alternative phrases like "almost greater than" or "nearly surpassing" are recommended. Despite appearing in neutral contexts such as news and encyclopedias, its infrequent use suggests it should be avoided in formal writing in favor of more precise language. Always aim for clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost greater than

Replaces "virtually" with "almost" and restructures the phrase for clarity.

practically exceeding

Substitutes "virtually" with "practically" and "more than" with "exceeding" to convey a sense of surpassing a limit.

nearly surpassing

Replaces "virtually" with "nearly" and "more than" with "surpassing", indicating a close approach to exceeding.

effectively above

Uses "effectively" to approximate and "above" to indicate exceeding a certain level.

essentially beyond

Replaces "virtually" with "essentially" and "more than" with "beyond" to emphasize exceeding a boundary.

in effect surpassing

Highlights the actual outcome of exceeding by using "in effect" and "surpassing".

to all intents and purposes over

Indicates an outcome that is, in practical terms, "over" or above a certain limit.

for all practical purposes above

Similar to the previous example, it stresses practical consideration when something is above a certain level.

tantamount to exceeding

Expresses something "tantamount to exceeding" expectations or limits.

as good as surpassing

Indicates that something is nearly or "as good as surpassing" a threshold.

FAQs

What does "virtually more than" mean?

The phrase "virtually more than" is not a standard or clear English construction. It attempts to combine approximation ("virtually") with exceeding a limit ("more than"), which can be semantically confusing.

How can I rephrase "virtually more than" for better clarity?

Consider using phrases like "almost greater than", "nearly surpassing", or "practically exceeding", depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Is "virtually more than" grammatically correct?

No, "virtually more than" isn't considered grammatically sound. The adverb "virtually" suggests approximation, while "more than" implies exceeding, creating a contradictory expression. Ludwig AI confirms that it is not correct.

Are there contexts where "virtually more than" might be appropriate?

While some sources may use the phrase, it's generally advisable to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more precise alternatives to prevent confusion. An example would be if you meant "the impact was almost greater than the impact of", but is not clear enough.