virtually never

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'virtually never' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom used to indicate an incredibly small amount or percentage of something. For example, "I virtually never watch TV."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It virtually never happened.

The Guardian - Books

Ms. Stewart virtually never stopped working.

The New York Times

(Girls virtually never get it).

The New Yorker

He virtually never makes mistakes.

The New York Times - Science

Virtually never, though, does dementia come up.

The New York Times

The government virtually never prosecutes steroid users.

The New York Times - Sports

You're virtually never alone on the High Line".

The New York Times

Interviewers get guidelines but training is virtually never required.

The New York Times

"We virtually never not accept a kid," Mr. Lewis said.

The New York Times

His reasoning was that "good teams are virtually never blown out at home" and "championship-caliber teams virtually never lose at home like this even once".

The New York Times

You virtually never find a walk-up building that has a legal, planted roof deck".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually never" to emphasize that something is exceedingly rare, almost to the point of non-existence. This adds a stronger impact than simply saying "rarely".

Common error

Avoid using "virtually never" in very informal or casual settings, as it can sound overly formal or stiff. Simpler alternatives like "almost never" or "hardly ever" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually never" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying verbs to express a very low frequency of occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes that something happens extremely rarely. Examples show its usage across various contexts, reinforcing its role in indicating infrequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually never" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that expresses an extremely low probability of occurrence. As Ludwig AI points out, it is suitable for various contexts, though it tends to be slightly more formal than alternatives such as "almost never". Its prevalence in news, scientific, and business writing confirms its widespread acceptance and utility. When choosing between "virtually never" and similar phrases, consider the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost never

Emphasizes a high degree of infrequency, closely mirroring the meaning of "virtually never".

rarely ever

Highlights the scarcity of an event or occurrence, offering a slight variation in tone.

hardly ever

Indicates that something happens infrequently, maintaining a neutral connotation.

scarcely ever

Emphasizes the minimal frequency of an event, adding a subtle nuance of surprise or disbelief.

practically never

Similar to "virtually never", indicating that something is almost nonexistent.

almost no

Expresses a near absence of something, shifting the focus slightly from frequency to quantity.

infrequently

Directly conveys the lack of frequent occurrence, presenting a more formal tone.

on rare occasions

Highlights the exceptionality of an event, providing a descriptive alternative.

not often

A straightforward and simple way to express that something does not happen frequently.

seldom if ever

Emphasizes the rarity to the point of near nonexistence, adding a touch of emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually never" in a sentence?

Use "virtually never" to express that something almost never happens. For example, "She "virtually never" eats fast food because she prefers healthy meals".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "virtually never"?

Alternatives to "virtually never" include phrases like "almost never", "rarely ever", or "hardly ever", all of which convey a similar sense of infrequency.

Is it more formal to say "virtually never" compared to "almost never"?

"Virtually never" tends to be slightly more formal than "almost never". The choice depends on the context and the desired tone of your writing or speech.

Can "virtually never" be used in all types of writing?

"Virtually never" is suitable for most types of writing, but consider your audience and the overall tone. In very informal contexts, simpler options may be preferable.