appear identical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear identical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing two or more items, people, or situations that look the same or very similar. Example: "The two paintings appear identical at first glance, but upon closer inspection, there are subtle differences in the brushwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To the untrained eye, they appear identical.

The New York Times

To the untrained eye, most of the inspection stickers appear identical to legitimate stickers.

The New York Times

At first, the drawings appear identical, but each is slightly different.

The Guardian - Arts

When they were infants and toddlers, they were often dressed alike, and in early photographs they appear identical.

The New York Times

The tool could prove important for law enforcement and fighting terrorism, shedding light on subtle relationships among germs that otherwise appear identical.

The New York Times

For Borges, Menard's Quixote is radically different to Cervantes', even if they appear identical: how could an identical paragraph mean the same in 1605 as in the 1930s?

The Guardian - Books

They were designed to appear identical, so prisoners would be disoriented and not know where they were if they were shuttled back and forth.

The New York Times

What makes the ones in this Triassic amber intriguing is that, under the microscope at least, they appear identical to modern examples.

The Economist

Pairs of chunky and fashionable glasses – which appear identical to conventional eyewear – have a discreet dial on each of the arms which can switch between three different pre-set strengths.

The Guardian - Business

Chinese automakers have repeatedly prompted confrontations with Western producers by introducing vehicles that appear identical to Western models, but there has not yet been a case of a Chinese automaker copying advanced Western engine technology.

The New York Times

While their different surnames might suggest that they're are unrelated, Thompson and Thomson appear identical (except for a slight difference in moustache style) and were based on Hergé's father and uncle, identical twins.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appear identical" to highlight a visual or superficial similarity that might not hold true upon closer inspection. It's effective for setting up a contrast or revealing hidden differences.

Common error

Avoid assuming that items which "appear identical" also function identically. Physical similarity doesn't guarantee equivalent performance or composition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear identical" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a perceived or superficial similarity between two or more entities. As noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appear identical" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe things that look the same. As indicated by Ludwig, it's widely applicable across various domains, including news, science, and general conversation. While frequently used, it's important to remember that things which "appear identical" may not always be truly the same upon closer inspection. Alternatives like "seem the same" or "look alike" can provide similar meanings, but "appear identical" is particularly useful for highlighting a potential superficial similarity before revealing underlying differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear indistinguishable

Replaces "identical" with "indistinguishable", stressing the difficulty in discerning any differences.

seem the same

Replaces "appear" with "seem", suggesting a perception rather than a definitive fact.

are seemingly the same

Adds "seemingly" to indicate that the similarity may be superficial.

look alike

Uses "look" instead of "appear", emphasizing visual similarity.

appear equivalent

Substitutes "identical" with "equivalent", implying functional or effective sameness.

appear uniform

Replaces "identical" with "uniform", suggesting a consistent appearance across a group.

present as identical

Changes the verb to "present", indicating a display of similarity.

give the impression of being identical

Emphasizes the subjective nature of the perceived similarity.

bear a striking resemblance

Uses stronger language to describe a notable similarity in appearance.

mirror each other

Implies a perfect, reflective similarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "appear identical" to describe things that look the same. For example, "To the untrained eye, the two paintings "appear identical"."

What is a good alternative to "appear identical"?

Alternatives include "seem the same", "look alike", or "appear indistinguishable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "appear identical" or "appears identical"?

"Appear identical" is used when referring to plural subjects, while "appears identical" is used with singular subjects. For instance, "The coins "appear identical"," but "This coin "appears identical" to that one."

What's the difference between "appear identical" and "are identical"?

"Appear identical" suggests a superficial similarity, whereas "are identical" implies a complete and absolute equivalence. If something "appear identical", closer inspection might reveal differences.