virtually possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is possible in theory or under certain conditions, but may not be practically achievable. Example: "While it may be virtually possible to achieve a perfect score, the reality is that most students will encounter challenges along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Well, virtually possible.

BBC

They have no idea how to create a tricky password in order to stay as safe as (virtually) possible from spamming and hacking.

Huffington Post

Although a fully automated rehabilitation intervention which assesses the patient's deficiencies and then uses this assessment to create an individualized rehabilitation plan is virtually possible, such intervention has low chances to be medically accepted [ 21].

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Profound information on available options is virtually not possible in regular neurologist encounters.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

In fact, several Pune neighborhoods will soon be "zero waste" — recycling or composting virtually everything possible.

The New York Times

First, it creates an army of cells, that together express antibodies tailored to combat virtually every possible substance, both self and non-self.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Although numerous empirical studies show that religious involvement is associated with better health and longer life expectancies, researchers have virtually ignored possible links between religious involvement and sleep.

Sleep Health

The models collectively represent virtually all possible approaches to education, and in effect serve as laboratories in which the universe of school practices can be studied.

The New York Times

As evidence of this, first note that (in the course of exploring hardware features) programmers have tried writing virtually every possible value to every hardware port of the calculator, but yet have not reported anything causing permanent damage.

University of California, Berkeley

In the current study, we built homology models of α7 nAChR and virtually screened possible nAChR ligands by combining molecular docking, molecular feature searches, hydrogen bond analyses, and quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) study.

Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling

Amid the confusion the government had not shown that there was even a need for a new law, the committee's report said, as virtually all possible offences appeared to fall under existing legislation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually possible" to indicate a scenario that is theoretically achievable but might face practical limitations. This nuanced approach adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually possible" when you mean something is "realistically possible". "Virtually" implies a theoretical possibility, whereas "realistically" suggests a practical one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually possible" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a statement's feasibility. It indicates a theoretical or conditional possibility, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis. It is employed to temper expectations or to acknowledge limitations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually possible" is a grammatically correct adverb-adjective combination used to express a nuanced form of possibility – one that exists more in theory than in practice. According to Ludwig, it's found in neutral to formal registers and serves to temper expectations. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, its usage is precise, suggesting a scenario that is technically achievable but faces practical limitations. If you are looking for alternative expressions for similar ideas, it is suggested that you try phrases such as "practically feasible" or "almost achievable". Make sure to choose the one that expresses your idea the best.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically feasible

Emphasizes the realistic chances of something happening, shifting from theoretical possibility to real-world practicality.

almost achievable

Highlights the near attainment of a goal, focusing on the degree of completion or success.

theoretically viable

Stresses the potential for something to work based on established principles or models, moving from practical to conceptual grounds.

near certain

Indicates a high level of confidence in something happening, close to being guaranteed.

potentially doable

Highlights that the action can be done.

hypothetically attainable

Focuses on reaching an objective through a particular case.

effectively realistic

The results that will be shown are real.

for all practical purposes, possible

Indicates the context of a certain possibility.

as good as feasible

Highlights something that is near perfection.

in essence attainable

Stresses a summary or general objective.

FAQs

What does "virtually possible" mean?

The phrase "virtually possible" describes something that is possible in theory or under specific circumstances, but might not be easily achievable in practice. It suggests a theoretical possibility rather than a practical one.

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

You can use "virtually possible" to describe scenarios where something is technically possible but faces challenges. For example, "It's "virtually possible" to travel to Mars with current technology, but the cost is prohibitive."

Which is correct, "virtually possible" or "realistically possible"?

The choice between "virtually possible" and "realistically possible" depends on the context. Use "virtually possible" when something is theoretically achievable but practically difficult. Use "realistically possible" when something is likely to happen given current conditions.

What are some alternatives to "virtually possible"?

Alternatives to "virtually possible" include "practically feasible", "almost achievable", or "theoretically viable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.