virtually worthless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually worthless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has little to no value, often in a figurative sense. Example: "After the market crash, many investments became virtually worthless, leaving investors in a difficult position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The note was virtually worthless.

The New York Times

"Arid land without water is virtually worthless".

The New York Times

The national currency became virtually worthless.

The Washington Post

Mixed-color glass is virtually worthless.

The New York Times

We were anticipating that the equity was virtually worthless".

The New York Times

Phase one allowances (2005-08) are now virtually worthless.

The Economist

Such random, seemingly unwanted space could be virtually worthless.

The New York Times

It has its own border, currency (the Transnistrian ruble, virtually worthless outside the territory) and police.

The New York Times - Sports

Their shares are now virtually worthless, and they will receive nothing in compensation.

The New York Times

Food prices tripled overnight, and many salaries were made virtually worthless.

The New Yorker

But if uncovered they are virtually worthless, much like Keating's 20 years ago.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually worthless", ensure the context clearly indicates what has led to the loss of value. Providing this context strengthens the impact of your statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually worthless" when something has a small but significant value. The phrase implies a near-complete lack of worth, so reserve it for situations where the value is negligible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually worthless" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, describing a noun whose value or utility has diminished to near zero. It indicates a state of extreme devaluation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually worthless" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something that has lost almost all of its value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, with a neutral register making it suitable for diverse audiences. The primary purpose is to emphasize a significant loss or devaluation. While alternatives like "essentially worthless" or "nearly worthless" exist, "virtually worthless" maintains a strong presence, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly explains the cause of the devaluation to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially worthless

Emphasizes the fundamental lack of value.

nearly worthless

Highlights the close proximity to having no value.

almost worthless

Similar to 'nearly', suggesting a slight degree of remaining value.

largely worthless

Indicates that the majority of the value is absent.

basically worthless

Highlights that the value is practically non-existent.

literally worthless

Denotes a complete absence of value in a strict sense.

practically valueless

Focuses on the practical implications of the lack of value.

effectively useless

Shifts the focus to the lack of practical use rather than monetary value.

of little consequence

Highlights the lack of importance or significance.

inconsequential

Similar to 'of little consequence', indicating insignificance.

FAQs

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

Use "virtually worthless" to describe something that has lost almost all of its value or importance. For example, "After the company's scandal, its stock became "virtually worthless"."

What is a good alternative to "virtually worthless"?

Alternatives include "essentially worthless", "nearly worthless", or "almost worthless", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "virtually worthless" or "completely worthless"?

"Virtually worthless" implies a near-complete lack of value, while "completely worthless" indicates absolutely no value. Choose the phrase that most accurately reflects the degree of worthlessness you intend to describe.

What makes something "virtually worthless"?

Various factors can cause something to become "virtually worthless", such as market crashes, hyperinflation, bankruptcy, or obsolescence.