virtually simultaneous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually simultaneous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or actions that occur at nearly the same time, though not exactly. Example: "The two explosions were virtually simultaneous, creating a shockwave that rattled nearby buildings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Independent and virtually simultaneous development of a significant idea is well known in the sciences.

The New York Times

The distribution of the entangled photons in this pattern was measured with highly sensitive photodetectors that registered their virtually simultaneous arrival.

The New York Times - Tech

The Grad is an area weapons system designed in the Soviet Union to blanket a battlefield with multiple and virtually simultaneous rocket blasts.

The New York Times

In a virtually simultaneous ambush just six miles away in Habbaniya, a soldier was killed when the convoy he was traveling with was attacked with an explosive device and rocket-propelled grenades, according to The Associated Press.

The New York Times

Virtually simultaneous images of planar laser-induced incandescence of soot (soot-PLII) using 1064 nm excitation and combined soot-PLII and planar laser-induced fluorescence of poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH-PLIF) using 532 nm excitation reveal the temporal and spatial evolution of soot and its precursors during combustion.

Combustion and Flame

At 22 34 UTC (00 34am local time), Renesys observed the virtually simultaneous withdrawal of all routes to Egyptian networks in the Internet's global routing table.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In the case of suspicious focal tracer uptake in one investigation and simultaneous virtually inconspicuous finding in the same area using the corresponding different PET/CT technique, SUV was measured in the inconspicuous areas as well.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

What about five simultaneous crises?

The Guardian - Business

"Maybe this project could be seen as a sort of portal that lets you go back and forth between having those two simultaneous experiences: existing virtually and physically at the festival," Goshinski said.

Vice

Finally, it is virtually impossible to perform precipitation simultaneous with the addition of a protective coating to the magnetic particles, since maintenance of pH control is important and difficult.

BioMed Research International

Spreading depression (SD) is a wave of simultaneous and near-complete depolarization of virtually all cells in brain tissue associated with a transient "depression" of all spontaneous or evoked electrical activity in the brain.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually simultaneous" to describe events that occur close enough in time that the difference is negligible or unimportant for the context. This conveys a sense of near-perfect synchronization without claiming absolute precision.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually simultaneous" when events are perfectly synchronized. The term implies an approximation, so using it for truly simultaneous events can be misleading. In cases of perfect synchronization, use "simultaneous" or "synchronized" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually simultaneous" functions as an adverbial modifier describing how two or more events occur in relation to time. It modifies a verb or verb phrase, indicating that the events happen at approximately the same time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and appropriate usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually simultaneous" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe events occurring at approximately the same time. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase’s correctness and usability. Its prevalence in news, science, and encyclopedic sources indicates a neutral to formal register. While synonyms like "almost simultaneous" and "nearly simultaneous" exist, "virtually simultaneous" provides a specific nuance of near-perfect synchronization. Understanding its proper usage—avoiding it for perfectly synchronized events—ensures clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost simultaneous

Replaces "virtually" with "almost", indicating a slightly lesser degree of simultaneity.

nearly simultaneous

Uses "nearly" instead of "virtually", conveying a similar approximation of simultaneity.

practically simultaneous

Substitutes "virtually" with "practically", suggesting simultaneity in a practical sense.

effectively simultaneous

Replaces "virtually" with "effectively", highlighting the actual result as simultaneous.

essentially simultaneous

Uses "essentially" instead of "virtually", focusing on the fundamental simultaneity.

roughly simultaneous

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the simultaneity, implying less precision.

in near unison

Shifts the focus to the coordinated nature of the events occurring together.

in close succession

Highlights that the events occur closely together, but not necessarily at the exact same moment.

occurring in quick succession

Like "in close succession", suggests events that are close in time but not precisely simultaneous.

close in time

A simpler phrase indicating that the events happened with a small time separation.

FAQs

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

"Virtually simultaneous" is used to describe events that happen at almost the same time. For example: "The two explosions were "virtually simultaneous", shaking the entire city."

What's the difference between "virtually simultaneous" and "exactly simultaneous"?

"Virtually simultaneous" implies a slight difference in timing, while "exactly simultaneous" suggests that the events occurred at the very same moment. If precision is important, choose your words carefully.

Are there any alternatives to "virtually simultaneous"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "almost simultaneous", "nearly simultaneous", or "practically simultaneous" depending on the context.

Is "virtually simultaneous" formal or informal?

"Virtually simultaneous" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase. Its appropriateness often depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.