virtually unheard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually unheard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost never heard or not commonly known. Example: "The artist's work was virtually unheard of until it was featured in a major exhibition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Antigay violence is virtually unheard of.

The New York Times

"Virtually unheard of in these cases".

The New York Times - Arts

Such good behaviour is virtually unheard of.

The Guardian

"In the legislative process, uniformity is virtually unheard of".

The New York Times

Agendas are vague, debate rare, dissent virtually unheard of.

The Economist

Nowadays they're virtually unheard of, unless you live in Eastbourne.

The Guardian

That's something virtually unheard of on mainstream American television.

The New York Times - Arts

Such a voluminous stash of booze is virtually unheard of.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

(Suicidal thinking or behavior was virtually unheard-of before age 10).

The New York Times - Health

"Finding that is pretty rare — actually, virtually unheard-of in the archaeological record," he said.

The New York Times - Science

Nonetheless, once someone is convicted and imprisoned, release is virtually unheard-of.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Strengthen your writing by opting for alternatives that are more precise or vivid, depending on the nuance you aim to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually unheard" when the subject is merely uncommon or unusual. Reserve it for situations that are genuinely exceptional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually unheard" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective or participle. It emphasizes the extreme rarity or near non-existence of something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes something that is almost never heard of or not commonly known.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

13%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually unheard" is a phrase used to describe something exceptionally rare. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the near non-existence of a thing or event, and often appears in news and academic writing. While alternatives like "almost unknown" and "rarely encountered" exist, "virtually unheard" carries a stronger emphasis on rarity. Be mindful not to overstate when using it, reserving it for genuinely exceptional cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost unknown

Focuses on the lack of knowledge about something, rather than its infrequency.

practically nonexistent

Emphasizes the rarity to the point of near absence.

scarcely known

Highlights the limited awareness or recognition of something.

rarely encountered

Focuses on the infrequency of finding or experiencing something.

infrequently observed

Emphasizes the lack of regular sightings or occurrences.

uncommon

A simpler way to express the lack of commonness.

seldom heard of

Highlights the infrequency with which something is spoken about or mentioned.

novel

Emphasizes the newness or uniqueness of something.

unprecedented

Highlights the lack of prior instances or parallels.

atypical

Focuses on the deviation from the norm or expected pattern.

FAQs

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

Use "virtually unheard" to emphasize the rarity of something. For example, "Such blatant disregard for the rules is "virtually unheard" of in this institution".

What are some alternatives to "virtually unheard"?

You can use alternatives like "almost unknown", "practically nonexistent", or "rarely encountered" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "almost unheard" instead of "virtually unheard"?

Yes, "almost unheard" is a valid alternative to "virtually unheard", though "virtually unheard" might add a slight emphasis on the extreme rarity.

What is the difference between "virtually unheard of" and "uncommon"?

"Virtually unheard of" indicates something is extremely rare, nearing nonexistence, while "uncommon" simply means not frequently encountered. The former is a stronger statement about rarity than the latter.