approximately the same size as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately the same size as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the sizes of two objects or entities that are similar but not identical in size. Example: "The new smartphone is approximately the same size as the previous model, making it easy for users to transition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As Bohr had noticed, the radius of the n = 1 orbit is approximately the same size as an atom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The AUF, with its 10,000 members, in a population of 4.7 million, is approximately the same size as the youth wings of all the other big parties combined.

The New York Times

The 10 Gerald R. Ford carriers, scheduled to enter service every five years beginning in 2015, will be approximately the same size as the Nimitz carriers, but various technological improvements are expected to reduce the number of crew members to as few as 2,500 (as opposed to some 3,250 crew members manning a Nimitz carrier).

Encyclopedia Britannica

(approximately the same size as France), different ecologies and geography in distinct parts of the country could have some effects on our rice diversity.

Rice

While JPEG2000 can compress to approximately the same size as our approach, it is noted that the JPEG technique failed to compress to the same size.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

These temperature differences are approximately the same size as the target temperature reduction and are consistent with previously published data [22, 23].

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

An autonomy architecture and a core set of perception, reasoning and control technologies is under development using a free-flying airship testbed of approximately the same size as the proposed Titan aerobot.

Advances in Space Research

For polymer chains which are approximately the same size as the filler particle, a decrease in chain dimensions is observed relative to the unfilled chain dimensions at all filler concentrations.

Polymer

This assures that cells in the very active tree are approximately the same size as cells in the fixed tree in a given region of space (somewhat similar to the construction of graded trees in AMR codes).

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

Setting a threshold on a signal is always somewhat arbitrary, and the most straightforward choice is to select the Neutral class of approximately the same size as the Leave and Remain classes.

Computational Social Networks

Carry on bags are now approximately the same size as the bags people used to check in.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing sizes, use "approximately the same size as" to indicate a similarity that isn't exact. Provide context to make the comparison meaningful for your audience. For instance, specify the units of measurement or provide a familiar object for reference. Example: "The new drone is approximately the same size as a small backpack."

Common error

Avoid using "approximately the same size as" when the sizes are noticeably different. This phrase implies a close resemblance, and misusing it can mislead your audience. If the sizes are only vaguely similar, use terms like "larger than" or "smaller than" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately the same size as" serves as a comparative adjective phrase. It functions to describe a noun by indicating its size relative to another noun, implying a similarity without exactness. Ludwig's examples show widespread use across various domains, indicating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approximately the same size as" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a similarity in size that isn't exact. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including science, news, encyclopedias, and wikis. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is meaningful and avoid overstating the similarity. Alternatives like "roughly the same size as" or "nearly the same size as" can be used to add nuance. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for providing relatable size comparisons in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roughly the same size as

This alternative uses "roughly" instead of "approximately", suggesting a slightly less precise estimation of size.

nearly the same size as

This suggests a very close similarity in size, implying almost identical dimensions.

almost the same size as

Similar to 'nearly', this indicates a high degree of size similarity, close to being identical.

about the same size as

This is a more casual way of expressing similarity in size, suitable for informal contexts.

close to the same size as

This emphasizes that the sizes are not exactly the same, but very near in value.

comparable in size to

This alternative uses 'comparable', highlighting that the sizes are similar enough to be compared directly.

similar in size to

This is a straightforward way to express that the sizes are alike, though it doesn't specify the degree of approximation.

of similar dimensions to

This focuses on dimensions rather than overall size, implying similarity in length, width, and height.

on par with in size

This suggests that the sizes are equivalent or at least very close, often used in more formal contexts.

in the same ballpark as

An idiomatic expression indicating that the sizes are generally similar, though not necessarily precise.

FAQs

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

Use "approximately the same size as" to indicate that two items or areas are similar in size but not exactly identical. For example: "The new park is approximately the same size as Central Park."

What can I say instead of "approximately the same size as"?

You can use alternatives like "roughly the same size as", "nearly the same size as", or "about the same size as" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "approximately the same size as" in formal writing?

Yes, "approximately the same size as" is appropriate for formal writing. While it contains "approximately", which suggests an estimation, the phrase itself is clear and professional. However, in highly technical contexts, consider providing specific measurements if precision is crucial.

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

"Approximately the same size as" indicates a similarity in size that isn't precise, while "exactly the same size as" suggests the sizes are identical. Use "approximately" when there's a slight difference or when you're estimating.