virtually safe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually safe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is mostly safe, with a small possibility of risk or danger remaining. Example: "While the new software has undergone extensive testing, it is still considered virtually safe for public use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

In effect, the approach would create a "walled garden" in cyberspace, with (virtually) safe neighborhoods and bright (cyber) streetlights to establish a sense of a trusted community.

The New York Times

Matthew Hoggard, out of contract and rumoured to be leaving Yorkshire at the end of the season, took a hat-trick to make his side virtually safe from relegation from the First Division.

The Guardian - Sport

By Monday, it should be 2-0, and the Ashes virtually safe.  .

BBC

A key goal of toxicology studies conducted for public health/regulatory purposes is to identify the "virtually safe dose".

Comprehensive Toxicology

Cancer risk assessment utilizing rodents requires extrapolation across five orders of magnitude to estimate the Virtually Safe Dose (VSD).

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology

Boss Nicky Law says the fixture backlog caused by the cold weather will have a huge impact on the relegation run-in but feels Alfreton are virtually safe.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He said it was difficult to stack the odds in favour of female candidates when the Lib Dems have virtually no safe seats.

The Guardian

His office argues that Schwab's brokers and sales managers sold auction-rate securities as being virtually as safe as short-term money market instruments, promising that investors could withdraw their money every week without fail.

The New York Times

In a statement condemning the EU's inaction, Amnesty International said: "With virtually no safe and legal routes into Europe, people are increasingly pushed into the hands of smugglers and traffickers, and are forced to risk their lives on unseaworthy vessels".

The Guardian

Mr Foweather said: "Mining is now virtually as safe as it can be.

BBC

Ideally, the cognitive part of your brain uses reasoned logic to assuage any irrational worries that the faster part has identified as areas of concern (for example, the 102nd floor of the Empire State building is virtually as safe as the second floor).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually safe", consider specifying the context or area where safety is ensured to provide clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually safe" when describing situations with significant potential risks. Reserve it for scenarios where the risks are genuinely minimal and well-controlled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually safe" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to describe a state of near-complete safety. It suggests a high degree of security but acknowledges a minimal, residual risk. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually safe" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to describe something that is almost entirely safe, with a very small chance of risk remaining. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase adheres to standard grammatical conventions. It's used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal communications, conveying reassurance while acknowledging a degree of uncertainty. When using the phrase, be mindful to align it with situations where residual risks are truly minimal to prevent misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost secure

Emphasizes the near-complete security, highlighting the minimal chance of breach.

mostly secure

Simple and direct, indicating a high degree of security with minimal exceptions.

nearly risk-free

Focuses on the absence of risk, suggesting that any remaining risk is negligible.

practically harmless

Highlights the lack of potential for harm, implying a very low level of danger.

effectively protected

Stresses the successful protection measures in place, minimizing potential threats.

substantially secure

Indicates a significant level of security, though not necessarily absolute.

largely invulnerable

Suggests a strong resistance to harm, implying a very robust defense.

in effect safe

Highlights that safety is present in practical terms, even if not guaranteed.

for all intents and purposes, safe

Stresses that in all practical considerations, the situation can be considered safe.

tantamount to safe

Conveys that the situation is equivalent to being safe, despite not being explicitly labeled as such.

FAQs

What does "virtually safe" mean?

"Virtually safe" means something is almost completely safe, but there's still a small possibility of risk or danger.

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

You might say, "The new vaccine is "virtually safe", with only minor side effects reported".

What are some alternatives to "virtually safe"?

You can use alternatives like "almost secure", "nearly risk-free", or "mostly secure" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "virtually safe" and "completely safe"?

Yes, "completely safe" implies no risk at all, while "virtually safe" acknowledges a very small, almost negligible, risk remains.