virtually none

USAGE SUMMARY

"virtually none" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a nearly complete lack or absence of something. For example, "There are virtually none of these items left in stock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's virtually none.

The New York Times

Bush has virtually none.

The Washington Post

"There's virtually none".

The New York Times - Sports

Some countries imported virtually none.

The New York Times - Health

But virtually none remain today.

The New York Times

He got it from virtually none.

The New York Times

Virtually none of it was real.

The New York Times

Virtually none involved successful collective farming.

The New York Times

But virtually none have occurred in years.

The New York Times - Books

And right now they have virtually none".

The New York Times

In Rumsfeld's case there was virtually none.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually none" when you want to emphasize that something is almost completely absent, but not necessarily entirely nonexistent. It's stronger than "very little" but slightly less absolute than "none".

Common error

Avoid using "virtually none" when there is a significant quantity or presence of something. "Virtually none" implies near-total absence, so using it inaccurately weakens your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually none" functions as a quantifier, indicating a near absence or a very small quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. The examples show it modifying nouns to express scarcity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

9%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually none" is a versatile phrase used to express a near absence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, making it a valuable tool for emphasizing scarcity in your writing. While suitable for diverse contexts, it sees frequent usage in news reporting and academic works. Remember that while "virtually none" implies a near absence, it is slightly less absolute than "none". Top sources that use this phrase include The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Economist, ensuring its credibility and proper usage across various professional domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nothing

Focuses on the quantity being close to zero.

practically nothing

Emphasizes that the amount is so small it's negligible.

hardly anything

Highlights the scarcity or infrequency of something.

next to nothing

Suggests the quantity is extremely small, close to zero.

scarcely any

Implies a very limited amount or number.

barely any

Emphasizes the minimal presence of something.

essentially zero

Highlights the complete absence of something in practical terms.

effectively nothing

Indicates that, for all practical purposes, something is absent.

close to zero

Stresses proximity to a state of nothingness or absence.

negligible amount

Indicates that the quantity is so small it can be disregarded.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually none" in a sentence?

Use "virtually none" to express that something is almost completely absent. For example, "Virtually none of the students passed the exam."

What are some alternatives to "virtually none"?

You can use alternatives like "almost nothing", "practically nothing", or "hardly anything" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "virtually none" and "none"?

"Virtually none" implies a near absence, while "none" indicates a complete absence. "Virtually none" suggests a very small amount might exist, whereas "none" means absolutely nothing exists.

Is it correct to say "virtually none"?

Yes, it is correct. "Virtually none" is a standard and accepted phrase in English used to express a near absence of something.