virtually the whole of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually the whole of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that almost all of something is included or considered, often in a context where completeness is implied but not absolute. Example: "The report covers virtually the whole of the project's timeline, detailing every phase from inception to completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Hostilities spread to virtually the whole of North Island.

Britannica

Virtually the whole of South Korea snubs Windows Media Player for Gom Player.

The Guardian - Tech

"We were under the cosh for virtually the whole of the second half, and it was a fierce game.

The Guardian - Sport

Virtually the whole of Europe faces a crisis of escalating youth unemployment, and Britain is no exception.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Morally and philosophically," he wrote to Hayek, "I find myself in agreement with virtually the whole of it".

The New Yorker

These are cases only of probability, not knowledge as indeed is virtually the whole of scientific knowledge, excluding mathematics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

They are distributed virtually throughout the whole of the Deccan Plateau.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Almost all of the current cast members — and virtually the whole class of German schoolboys and schoolgirls stomping the Eugene O'Neill stage are replacements for the originals — look as if they have yet to meet their first pimples.

The New York Times

Talking to Mackay is a disconcerting experience, as almost every scientific dictum you've learnt is systematically rubbished; virtually the whole canon of 19th- and 20th-century scientific thought, starting with Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology, is dismissed as an atheist conspiracy to write God out of history.

The Guardian

At La Guardia, 850 flights were canceled -- virtually the whole schedules of American, Delta, MidWest Express and other airlines.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, virtually the whole training of historians is devoted to reading written texts, so that skill is hypertrophied, while the ability to interpret material objects is underdeveloped.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually the whole of", ensure the context allows for minor exceptions or slight incompleteness. It implies near totality, but not absolute completeness.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually the whole of" when significant portions are excluded or when absolute completeness is required. Use more precise language if the exclusion is substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually the whole of" functions as a prepositional modifier, adding detail about the extent or scope of a noun. Ludwig AI shows examples in different contexts, emphasizing its versatility in modifying subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually the whole of" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate near completeness or totality. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, with a neutral tone that makes it appropriate for both formal and informal writing. While it is most frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedia and Scientific content, it's crucial to remember that "virtually the whole of" implies some level of exclusion. When aiming for absolute completeness, alternative expressions might be required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost all of

Replaces "virtually" with "almost", indicating a slight reduction in the degree of completeness.

nearly the entire

Substitutes "virtually the whole of" with "nearly the entire", suggesting a focus on the completeness of the subject.

practically the complete

Replaces "virtually" with "practically" and "whole" with "complete", implying a sense of near-total inclusion.

substantially the full

Emphasizes the significant extent or degree of something, replacing "virtually" with "substantially" and "whole" with "full".

in great measure

Indicates that something is true to a large extent, offering a more figurative alternative.

for the most part

Suggests that something is generally true, though with possible exceptions, altering the focus slightly.

by and large

Implies a general statement that is true on the whole, even if not entirely accurate in every detail.

to a considerable extent

Highlights the degree to which something is true, presenting a more formal alternative.

the lion's share of

Indicates that the majority portion is being referred to.

a large proportion of

Focuses on the size of the portion being discussed.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually the whole of" in a sentence?

Use "virtually the whole of" to indicate that nearly all of something is included or affected. For example: "Virtually the whole of the town was affected by the flood."

What phrases are similar to "virtually the whole of"?

Similar phrases include "almost all of", "nearly the entire", and "practically the complete". Each conveys a similar meaning of near completeness.

Is it correct to say "virtually the whole of"?

Yes, "virtually the whole of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English. It's used to express that something is almost entirely the case.

What's the difference between "virtually the whole of" and "the entirety of"?

"Virtually the whole of" suggests near completeness, allowing for minor exceptions. "The entirety of" implies absolute completeness. Therefore, "virtually the whole of" can be considered less strict than "the entirety of".