virtually unaffected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually unaffected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition where something has experienced little to no impact or change. Example: "Despite the economic downturn, the company's profits remained virtually unaffected."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vertical dimension was virtually unaffected.

Seminars in Orthodontics

But his high approval rating remained virtually unaffected.

The New York Times

A few hours later, traveling by mini-cab, they reached Phuket's virtually unaffected east coast.

The New York Times

"Male labor supply is virtually unaffected by fatherhood," the report notes.

The New York Times

By contrast, the scores for sedans are virtually unaffected by the number of people and amount of cargo inside.

The New York Times

Indeed many sectors remain virtually unaffected, with some employers even increasing their graduate intake this year (reference: AGR Winter Survey).

The Guardian

If the wavelength is large in relation to the obstacle, then the wave will pass by the obstacle virtually unaffected.

Britannica

Even more remarkably, people's impressions of Trump's personal qualities have been virtually unaffected by his precedent-smashing campaign and presidency.

The Washington Post

Due to its massive character, the platform dynamics is virtually unaffected, even by severe maneuvers of the manipulator.

Acta Astronautica

But that pattern ended in the early 1990s, and residential spending was virtually unaffected by the 2001 recession.

The New York Times

More important from the point of view of this study, inclusion of this measure of smoking leaves the size and significance of the other variables virtually unaffected.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually unaffected", ensure the context clearly indicates what potential influence was present. For example: "The economy remained "virtually unaffected" by the new regulations."

Common error

Avoid using "virtually unaffected" when there's been a clear, measurable change, even if small. "Slightly affected" is more appropriate for minor changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually unaffected" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it has experienced little to no impact from a particular influence or event. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate and appropriate use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

35%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually unaffected" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that has experienced little to no impact, change, or influence. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples spanning science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "almost untouched" and "largely unchanged" exist, the best choice depends on the specific context. As Ludwig AI highlights, the register of "virtually unaffected" ranges from neutral to formal. Be careful not to overstate the lack of impact when a small change is indeed present; "slightly affected" may be more appropriate. Understanding these nuances will ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost untouched

Indicates that something has experienced very little or no change.

nearly intact

Suggests something remains mostly whole or undamaged.

largely unchanged

Implies that there have been few alterations or modifications.

substantially unaltered

Indicates that significant aspects have not been changed.

effectively immune

Suggests a resistance or lack of susceptibility to some influence.

practically impervious

Implies nearly complete resistance to being affected.

essentially the same

Highlights the lack of noticeable difference after a change.

remained stable

Focuses on the absence of significant fluctuations or movement.

minimally impacted

Directly states that the impact was very small.

hardly influenced

Emphasizes the lack of effect or sway.

FAQs

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

Use "virtually unaffected" to describe something that has experienced little to no impact from a particular event or influence. For example: "The company's profits were "virtually unaffected" by the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "virtually unaffected"?

You can use alternatives like "almost untouched", "largely unchanged", or "minimally impacted" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "completely unaffected" instead of "virtually unaffected"?

While "completely unaffected" implies no impact at all, ""virtually unaffected"" suggests that any impact was so small as to be negligible. Choose the phrase that most accurately reflects the situation.

What's the difference between "virtually unaffected" and "slightly affected"?

"Virtually unaffected" means there was essentially no change, while "slightly affected" indicates that there was a small, but noticeable, change.