virtually unused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually unused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost never used or has very little usage. Example: "The old library has a section of books that are virtually unused, gathering dust on the shelves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The freshly painted and well-equipped nursery went virtually unused.

The New York Times - Sports

The rush-hour road is virtually unused: "Occasionally, a single car would seem to float past".

The Guardian - Books

Many of the world-class facilities that were constructed for the Commonwealth Games now lie virtually unused.

The Guardian

CASSANDRA has possessed a Kindle (purchased by his ever-attentive wife) for more than a year and it remains virtually unused.

The Economist

The law was virtually unused until 1980 when the Second Circuit ruled that the law could be used by non-U.S.

The New York Times

A series of tunnels built as a second world war bomb shelter large enough to fit 8,000 people have remained virtually unused.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Northolt lies almost unused.

The Guardian - Opinion

The spread of wastelands on these 9,000-foot-high 9,000-foot-high 9,000-foot-highsteppesanded hillsides of acrossd swatheof northern China, is threatening to rend pastures of life thanddepend intimately on the land and to strand millions ofarmeders and farmers whillsidesofother place to go in a country with virtually no decent, unused land.

The New York Times

That beneficiary can be virtually anyone, including yourself, and unused funds can be rolled over to a new account for a family member.

Forbes

Most of it was unused.

The Economist

While this may not initially set your hair on fire, classified listings a la Craigslist are resources we turn to virtually every day, to find tickets to local events, sell an unused gadget, or find freelance work.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a resource or facility, use "virtually unused" to emphasize that it is available but underutilized. For example: "The new community center offers many resources but the gym remains "virtually unused".

Common error

Avoid using "virtually unused" when something is actually completely unused. "Virtually" implies a very small amount of use, not zero use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually unused" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that something is almost not used, implying a state of near idleness or underutilization. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually unused" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something that is close to being unused. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various neutral contexts, as demonstrated by numerous examples from news and media sources. While alternatives like "almost unused" or "essentially unused" exist, "virtually unused" effectively communicates the idea of underutilization or near disuse. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the level of use; it should not be used if something is entirely unused.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost never used

Emphasizes the infrequency of use, highlighting the near absence of utilization.

hardly ever used

Indicates a very low frequency of use, close to non-existent, but with a nuance of possibility.

practically untouched

Focuses on the lack of physical interaction or alteration due to its disuse.

essentially idle

Highlights the inactivity and lack of operation of something that is "virtually unused".

largely inactive

Suggests that the item is mostly not functioning or being utilized.

scarcely utilized

Emphasizes the insufficient or minimal level of utilization.

barely touched

Similar to untouched but can imply a minimal amount of handling without actual use.

effectively nonfunctional

Shifts the focus to the result of disuse, where the item's function is compromised.

left gathering dust

Idiomatic expression describing the deterioration and abandonment of an item.

gathering cobwebs

An idiomatic way of expressing the age of a thing "virtually unused".

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually unused" to describe something that is available but rarely used. For example, "The park's tennis courts are "almost never used" and could be considered "virtually empty".".

What's a good alternative to the phrase "virtually unused"?

Alternatives to "virtually unused" include "largely unused", "almost unused", or "essentially unused" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "virtually unused" if it has been used once or twice?

Yes, "virtually unused" implies very minimal use. Something that has been used just a few times can accurately be described as "virtually unused" if its overall potential for use is far greater than its actual use.

What is the difference between "virtually unused" and "completely unused"?

"Virtually unused" suggests a very small amount of use, whereas "completely unused" indicates that something has never been used at all. If there's any usage, no matter how minimal, "completely unused" would be incorrect.