approximately the same as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately the same as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two quantities or values that are close in amount or degree but not exactly equal. Example: "The temperature today is approximately the same as it was yesterday, hovering around 75 degrees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pot in the backpack is approximately the same as making an illegal turn in a car.

The New York Times

The stipend will be approximately the same as for graduate students in other MIT departments.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

My value was approximately the same as a piece of sheep fat in the sun.

The New York Times

The energy carried in a fast CME is approximately the same as that released in a solar flare.

Britannica

The rate-of-pay will be approximately the same as for graduate students in other MIT departments.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We project this summer's peak demand to be approximately the same as last year's, when our service territory set an all-time usage record.

The New York Times

A more numerate slogan would be "Lotto: Your Chance of Finding the Winning Ticket in the Road is Approximately the Same as Your Chance of Buying it".

The Guardian - Tech

The critical undercooling required is found to be approximately the same as that defined by Turnbull's patch nucleation theory.

Acta Materialia

(B) The NS1− H1N1 virus particles was approximately the same as the wild type virus particles in the Rac1-interfered cell lines.

Nature

Although the process of formation is thought to be approximately the same as that of a fluvial pothole, the moulin pothole can be distinguished by its location.

Britannica

-- For example, through spring, a standard room including breakfast and a 10percentt service charge at the Imperial Hotel costs $307 -- approximately the same as last year.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "approximately the same as" to indicate a similarity that does not require exact precision. It is suitable for contexts where minor differences are acceptable and understood.

Common error

Avoid using "approximately the same as" when there's a significant difference between the items being compared. Use a more appropriate phrase like "somewhat similar to" or "bears some resemblance to" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately the same as" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that two or more things share a similar attribute or value without being precisely identical. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts to establish near equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "approximately the same as" is a versatile expression used to denote similarity without requiring exact precision. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It is particularly common in scientific, news, and academic contexts, where it serves to compare quantities, values, or attributes that are close but not identical. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the degree of similarity is accurately represented, avoiding its use when there are significant differences. Alternatives like "roughly equivalent to" or "nearly identical to" can be employed depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually the same as

Emphasizes that any difference is so small it's almost negligible.

roughly equivalent to

Emphasizes a less precise level of similarity, focusing on overall equivalence rather than exact sameness.

nearly identical to

Highlights a high degree of similarity, suggesting a very small difference between the two items being compared.

almost equal to

Focuses on the quantitative aspect, suggesting that the values or amounts are very close.

comparable to

Indicates that the items can be fairly compared, often implying they share key characteristics or features.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance or similarity in nature or quality, often used in more abstract or conceptual contexts.

much like

Offers a simpler, more informal way of expressing similarity.

on par with

Implies a similar level of quality or performance.

in the same ballpark as

Suggests that two amounts, sizes, or values are close to each other, although not exactly the same, more informal.

along the lines of

Indicates a general similarity or resemblance, without necessarily implying a close match.

FAQs

How can I use "approximately the same as" in a sentence?

You can use "approximately the same as" to compare two things that are close but not exactly equal, for example: "The cost of the repair was approximately the same as the value of the car."

What's a more formal alternative to "approximately the same as"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "roughly equivalent to" or "nearly identical to". These alternatives provide a similar meaning but are often preferred in academic or professional writing.

Is "approximately the same as" suitable for scientific writing?

Yes, "approximately the same as" is acceptable in scientific writing when describing values or measurements that are not precisely identical but fall within an acceptable margin of error.

What's the difference between "approximately the same as" and "exactly the same as"?

"Approximately the same as" implies a slight difference or margin of error, while "exactly the same as" suggests there is no difference at all. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the relationship between the items being compared.