about same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about same" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically intended to convey a sense of similarity or equivalence, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "The two products are about the same in terms of quality and price."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Cook about same amount of time on the second side.

The New York Times

"Everyone outside Africa has about same amount of Neanderthal DNA.

The Guardian

As a result, many people tend to be ambivalent about same sex or transgendered issues.

The Guardian

A film, "Glitter," postponed to accommodate the star's physical and mental stress, about same.

The New York Times - Arts

After LFC the strength becomes near about same till pure silt sample.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

It will also, for the first time, ask about "same sex civil partnership status".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Texas was not about same-sex marriage.

The New Yorker

And what's all this about same-sex marriages?

The New York Times

But he dodged questions about same-sex marriage.

The New York Times

They came in response to celebrity blogger Perez Hilton's question about same-sex marriage.

Independent

Also, he has at least two colleagues who have written about same-name misadventures.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "about same" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically correct alternatives like "approximately the same" or "roughly equivalent".

Common error

Do not use "about same" as a standalone phrase. Always include a subject or object to which it refers. For example, instead of saying "The prices are about same", say "The prices are approximately the same" or "The prices are roughly equivalent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about same" functions as an adjectival phrase, attempting to describe a noun by indicating similarity or equivalence. However, its non-standard grammatical structure makes it unsuitable for formal use. As Ludwig AI points out, it's better to seek alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "about same" is used to express similarity, it's grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Ludwig AI confirms this, advising the use of alternatives such as "approximately the same" or "roughly equivalent". Although the phrase appears in a variety of sources including News & Media, Science, and Wiki, its usage should be limited to very informal contexts. When in doubt, opting for a grammatically correct alternative will ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately equal

Replaces "about same" with a more formal and mathematically precise term.

roughly equivalent

Substitutes "about same" with an alternative suggesting a general similarity.

more or less identical

Emphasizes the high degree of similarity, almost to the point of being the same.

pretty much the same

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate substantial similarity.

nearly identical

Highlights the close resemblance between two things.

almost the same

Indicates that two things are very similar but not completely identical.

in the same ballpark

Uses an idiom to suggest that two values or quantities are close.

of similar magnitude

A more formal way of saying things are roughly the same size or importance.

comparable

Indicates that two things can be compared and are generally alike.

much alike

A simple way to express that two things share many similarities.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "about same"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately the same", "roughly equivalent", or "nearly identical" depending on the context.

Is "about same" grammatically correct?

No, "about same" is not grammatically correct in standard written English. It's better to use phrases like "approximately the same" or "more or less the same".

When can I use "about same"?

While "about same" might be acceptable in very informal speech or casual conversation, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "roughly the same".

What is the difference between "about same" and "approximately the same"?

"About same" is a shortened, grammatically incorrect version of "approximately the same". The latter is the preferred and more formal option.