virtually necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually necessary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost essential or required, but not absolutely so. Example: "In today's fast-paced world, having a reliable internet connection is virtually necessary for remote work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He recognizes that this attitude is virtually necessary for the free play of imagination.

Harvard Business Review

The new regulation would let regional carriers like Cellular South and U.S. Cellular offer national data coverage, which is virtually necessary if those carriers want to compete effectively.

TechCrunch

HPV infection is now considered as virtually necessary but not sufficient to cause this malignancy (Walboomers et al, 1999).

British Journal of Cancer

Given that HPV is considered a virtually necessary cause of ICC, we further examined results restricted to HPV DNA-positive cases.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

One cause that is virtually a necessary condition is foreign occupation or the threat of foreign occupation, that is where the democracies put combat troops on territory the terrorists prize.

University of California, Berkeley

Storage virtualization is a technology that makes it possible to implement service by virtually allocating minimum necessary space instead of required space through the technology called 'Thin-Provisioning'.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Today, digital computers are employed for performing virtually all the necessary calculations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just dab in the colour and pat lightly on the face; there's virtually no blending necessary.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

International precedents already exist for virtually every procedure necessary to eliminate nuclear weapons safely, verifiably and without risk to any nation's security.

The New York Times

The songs are more than serviceable, while 'N Sync's members have the requisite cute-boy looks and, equally necessary, virtually no discernible personalities, the better for young girls to fill in the blankness.

The New York Times

Indeed, we find ourselves rooting for Clive and Vernon, even as it becomes clear that both of them -- much like James Penfield, the hero of "The Ploughman's Lunch," a movie written by Mr. McEwan back in 1984 -- are conniving opportunists, willing to use virtually any means necessary to achieve their ends.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually necessary" to indicate a strong need or requirement that falls just short of being absolutely essential. It acknowledges that while not strictly mandatory, the item or action is highly advisable or beneficial.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually necessary" when something is genuinely and unequivocally required. This phrase implies a degree of flexibility, so reserve it for situations where there's a strong but not absolute need.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually necessary" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun. It indicates a state of near-necessity, implying a strong recommendation or high degree of advisability. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually necessary" is a grammatically correct and usable expression used to indicate something is almost essential but not absolutely required. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While the phrase appears across various contexts such as news, science, and academia, it's not as prevalent as its close alternatives. When using "virtually necessary", ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of a strong but not absolute need. Remember, overstating or understating necessity can alter the intended message. Consider alternatives such as "almost essential" or "practically required" to subtly shift the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost essential

Indicates something is nearly essential, but not absolutely required.

practically required

Suggests a requirement based on practical considerations.

essentially needed

Highlights the fundamental need for something.

near indispensable

Emphasizes how close something is to being irreplaceable.

tantamount to essential

Compares the importance of something to being essential.

indistinguishable from required

Highlights the difficulty in differentiating something from being a requirement.

as good as necessary

Indicates that something is almost at the level of being necessary.

bordering on obligatory

Suggests something is approaching the level of being obligatory.

effectively compulsory

Implies something is compulsory in effect, though not by direct mandate.

close to vital

Indicates that something is nearly as important as being vital.

FAQs

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

Use "virtually necessary" to describe something that is almost essential or required, but not absolutely so. For example, "In today's fast-paced world, having a reliable internet connection is "virtually necessary" for remote work."

What can I say instead of "virtually necessary"?

You can use alternatives like "almost essential", "practically required", or "essentially needed" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "necessary" or "virtually necessary"?

The choice depends on the context. Use "necessary" when something is absolutely required. Use ""virtually necessary"" when something is highly advisable or beneficial, but not strictly mandatory.

What is the difference between "virtually necessary" and "optional"?

"Virtually necessary" implies a strong recommendation or near-requirement, while "optional" indicates that something is purely discretionary and not needed in most cases. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum of need.