virtually untouched

USAGE SUMMARY

"virtually untouched" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing something that has not been changed or altered in any noticeable way. For example, "The old theater remains virtually untouched since it closed over three decades ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The kitchen has been left virtually untouched.

The New York Times

Only Qatar has been virtually untouched.

The Economist

Their living rooms remain virtually untouched".

The Guardian - Film

The racks of hip-hugger briefs stood virtually untouched.

The New York Times - Style

This spring, she said, her azaleas have gone virtually untouched.

The New York Times

That part of the DEB has sailed through virtually untouched.

The Guardian

Slater goes through virtually untouched before he's met 20m downfield in a Morris sandwich.

The Guardian - Sport

North Dakota was left virtually untouched by the recession; the state's unemployment rate steadily fell throughout.

The New York Times

Just today, I returned another virtually untouched volume to the library.

The New York Times

The site has remained virtually untouched since the stadium was razed in 1951.

The New York Times - Sports

While a ruling class was created, the institution of slavery was left virtually untouched.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, use "virtually untouched" to describe environments or samples that have not been significantly influenced by external factors, ensuring reliability in research.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually untouched" when there are obvious signs of alteration or modification. Overstating the untouched nature can undermine your credibility and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually untouched" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective, where "virtually" modifies the adjective "untouched". It describes the extent to which something has remained in its original state. According to Ludwig, this is a grammatically correct construct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually untouched" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that has remained largely in its original state. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct, with the majority of examples found in News & Media and Encyclopedias. It is deemed appropriate for use across different registers. Remember to be mindful of overstating the lack of alteration, and consider alternatives like "essentially untouched" or "largely unaffected" to refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basically untouched

Replaces "virtually" with "basically", suggesting a minor deviation from being completely untouched.

essentially untouched

Substitutes "virtually" with "essentially", implying that something is untouched in its fundamental aspects.

largely unaffected

Shifts the focus to the lack of impact or influence, rather than physical contact.

practically pristine

Emphasizes the unblemished or perfect condition, akin to being untouched.

remained unaltered

Highlights the lack of change over time, suggesting a preservation of original state.

left intact

Indicates that something remains complete and undamaged, implying it has not been touched destructively.

scarcely affected

Highlights the minimal impact or influence on something.

almost immaculate

Stresses the cleanliness and perfection, close to being untouched or unspoiled.

barely grazed

Emphasizes minimal contact or impact, suggesting a near miss from being untouched.

generally preserved

Highlights the continuous maintenance of something in its existing state.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually untouched" to describe something that remains mostly in its original state, like, "The ancient ruins were "virtually untouched" after centuries of neglect".

What is a good alternative to "virtually untouched"?

Alternatives to "virtually untouched" include phrases like "essentially untouched", "largely unaffected", or "practically pristine", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "completely untouched" instead of "virtually untouched"?

While "completely untouched" suggests an absolute state of being unchanged, "virtually untouched" implies a near-complete lack of alteration. The choice depends on the accuracy you want to convey; "virtually" allows for minor imperfections or influences.

What does "virtually untouched" imply about the object or environment being described?

It implies that the object or environment has remained largely in its original state, without significant alteration or damage, making it valuable for study or preservation.