almost identical

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "almost identical" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe two things that are very similar, but not quite the same. For example: "The two items were almost identical, but one was slightly larger than the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was almost identical.

The New Yorker

Almost identical titles.

The New York Times

They are almost identical.

The Guardian

Her response was almost identical.

The New Yorker

The statistics were almost identical.

The Guardian

The presentation was almost identical.

The Guardian

The results were almost identical.

The New York Times

Appearance: Almost identical to Facebook.

The Guardian

Botton's response is almost identical.

The Guardian - Sport

"Almost identical feeling to John," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

(The two versions are almost identical).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost identical", specify the aspect in which the items are similar to provide clarity. For example, "The two reports were almost identical in their conclusions."

Common error

Avoid using "almost identical" when there are significant differences. If the items are notably distinct, use a weaker term like "similar" or "related" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost identical" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate a high degree of similarity, but not complete equivalence. Ludwig shows many examples in which this phrase is used to describe physical appearance, statistical results, or even legal structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

27%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost identical" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe things that are very similar but not completely the same. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, be sure to specify the aspect in which the items are similar and avoid using it when there are significant differences. Alternatives like "nearly the same" or "virtually indistinguishable" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly the same

This alternative uses simpler language to convey near equivalence.

virtually indistinguishable

This suggests that the differences are so minor as to be unnoticeable.

practically equivalent

This emphasizes the functional equivalence despite any minor variations.

substantially similar

This implies a significant overlap in characteristics.

closely resembling

This focuses on the visual or superficial likeness.

much alike

This is a more informal way of expressing similarity.

broadly analogous

This suggests similarity in function or structure, though perhaps not in appearance.

remarkably comparable

This highlights the unexpected degree of similarity.

roughly equivalent

This indicates a similarity that is not exact but close enough for most purposes.

comparable to

This denotes similarity that allows for a meaningful comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "almost identical" in a sentence?

You can use "almost identical" to describe two things that are very similar but not perfectly the same. For example, "The twins' handwriting was "almost identical", making it difficult to tell their notes apart."

What's the difference between "almost identical" and "identical"?

"Almost identical" suggests a very high degree of similarity with minor differences, while "identical" implies that there are no differences whatsoever. Using "almost identical" acknowledges slight variations that might exist.

What are some alternatives to saying "almost identical"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "nearly the same", "virtually indistinguishable", or "substantially similar".

Is it correct to say "exactly almost identical"?

No, "exactly almost identical" is contradictory. "Exactly" means without any difference, while "almost identical" acknowledges some differences. Choose one or the other based on the degree of similarity you want to convey.