virtually no

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually no" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is almost an absence of something, suggesting a very small amount or degree. Example: "There was virtually no evidence to support the claims made in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"There's virtually no signage.

The New York Times

This has virtually no effect.

The New York Times

He spoke virtually no English.

The New York Times - Sports

Virtually no check out lines.

The Economist

Virtually no ads are here.

The New York Times - Sports

"There is virtually no crime.

The New Yorker

There are virtually no nonwhites.

The New York Times

There is virtually no unemployment.

The Economist

Meat contains virtually no carbohydrates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There was virtually no interactivity.

The New York Times

Or virtually no debt".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually no" to emphasize a near absence rather than a complete absence. This adds nuance, suggesting a trace amount might exist.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually no" when there is absolutely none of something. The phrase implies a minuscule amount might be present, so ensure that implication is accurate to avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually no" functions as an intensifying adverb modifying a determiner. It emphasizes the near absence or extremely small quantity of something. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly precedes nouns to indicate a minimal presence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually no" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a near absence or a very small quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. It functions as an intensifier, downplaying the significance or quantity of the noun it modifies. While generally neutral in register, "virtually no" finds frequent use in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. Remember to use it when you want to convey that something is almost non-existent but not entirely so, differentiating it from phrases like "absolutely no". Alternatives include "almost no" and "practically no".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost no

Indicates a quantity that is slightly more than zero, closer in meaning to "virtually no".

practically no

Suggests that for all practical purposes, something is non-existent or negligible.

next to no

Implies a quantity so small it is almost nonexistent.

scarcely any

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of something's presence.

hardly any

Highlights the minimal amount or degree of something present.

barely any

Indicates the presence of something at a minimal level.

very little

Focuses on the small quantity of something.

effectively none

Suggests that the practical effect is the same as having none.

negligible amount of

Emphasizes that the amount is so small it can be disregarded.

almost nonexistent

Directly states the near absence of something.

FAQs

How do I use "virtually no" in a sentence?

Use "virtually no" to indicate that something is almost completely absent or has a negligible presence. For example, "There is virtually no chance of rain today" means the probability of rain is very low.

What can I say instead of "virtually no"?

You can use alternatives like "almost no", "practically no", or "scarcely any" depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "virtually no" or "absolutely no"?

"Virtually no" suggests a tiny amount might exist, whereas "absolutely no" indicates a complete absence. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual situation you're describing.

What's the difference between "virtually no" and "nearly no"?

Both "virtually no" and "nearly no" convey a similar meaning of near absence, but "virtually no" might suggest an even closer proximity to zero than "nearly no".