virtually the only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually the only" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost the sole example or instance of a particular category or type, with a slight allowance for exceptions. Example: "In this region, the river is virtually the only source of fresh water for the local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were virtually the only tenants.

The New Yorker

We were virtually the only vehicle.

The Guardian - Travel

Party politics then was virtually the only active intellectual arena.

The Guardian

That was virtually the only thing missing from these Games.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was virtually the only topic the country discussed.

The Guardian

Virtually the only record of his thinking is contained in those memoranda".

The New Yorker

It is now virtually the only technique employed in the computational investigation of molecules.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They, too, were thwarted, leaving Morocco virtually the only Arab country never to experience Ottoman rule.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Others felt queasy.Mr Museveni is virtually the only decision-maker in the government.

The Economist

Disunity was virtually the only consistent theme to emerge from Iowa's caucuses.

The New York Times

Virtually the only cheerful voice belonged to the English captain, Kevin Pietersen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually the only" when you want to emphasize that something is so close to being the only option that any other possibilities are negligible or unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually the only" if there are significant exceptions or alternatives. Ensure the context genuinely supports the near-exclusive nature of what you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually the only" functions as a limiting modifier, specifying that something is very close to being the sole instance or example, with only minor or negligible exceptions. It emphasizes near exclusivity, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually the only" is a commonly used phrase to indicate that something is close to being the sole instance or example of its kind. It is considered grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news media, science, and encyclopedias. Ludwig AI confirms that its strength lies in emphasizing near exclusivity while acknowledging potential minor exceptions. When using the phrase, ensure that the context supports this near-exclusive nature and avoid overstating the claim if significant alternatives exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost the only

Replaces "virtually" with "almost", indicating a very slight degree of difference from being the sole instance.

practically the only

Substitutes "virtually" with "practically", suggesting a focus on real-world implications rather than theoretical possibilities.

essentially the only

Replaces "virtually" with "essentially", highlighting the fundamental nature of the exclusivity.

basically the only

Substitutes "virtually" with "basically", implying a simplified or core understanding of the exclusivity.

nearly the only

Replaces "virtually" with "nearly", indicating nearness to being the sole instance but without the implied effectiveness.

just about the only

Uses "just about" to soften the exclusivity claim, suggesting slight leniency.

in effect the only

Focuses on the practical outcome of a situation, emphasizing the effective exclusivity.

for all intents and purposes the only

Emphasizes a legal or practical perspective, suggesting that for all practical considerations, it is the only option.

tantamount to the only

Compares the situation to being the only option, emphasizing equivalence in effect.

as good as the only

Implies that the option is functionally equivalent to being the only choice, despite other possibilities existing.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually the only" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually the only" to describe something that is almost the sole example of its kind. For example: "During the lockdown, streaming services were virtually the only form of entertainment available."

What's a good alternative to "virtually the only"?

Alternatives to "virtually the only" include "almost the only", "practically the only", or "essentially the only", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "virtually the only" in formal writing?

Yes, "virtually the only" is appropriate for formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms that it is commonly used in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications.

What's the difference between "virtually the only" and "literally the only"?

"Virtually the only" means almost the only, with a few possible exceptions. "Literally the only" implies there are no other options whatsoever. Using "literally the only" should be reserved for situations that are, in fact, absolutely exclusive.