approximately the same thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately the same thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that two or more items, concepts, or ideas are similar or nearly identical in nature or effect, but not exactly the same. Example: "While the two theories differ in some aspects, they are approximately the same thing in terms of their overall conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Luckily, the world over, people want approximately the same thing: kisses, bread, and a change to get in out of the rain.

The New Yorker

Luckily, people the world over want approximately the same thing: kisses, bread, and a chance to get in out of the rain.

The New Yorker

When they tried to explain exactly why they were throwing stones, everyone said the same thing -- not approximately the same thing, but exactly the same thing.

The New York Times - Magazine

One of the following sentences means approximately the same thing as "I have tremendous respect for women and the many roles they serve that are vital to the fabric of our society and our economy".

The New Yorker

Many of the manufactures use movements from MMT and others and most of them do approximately the same thing.

TechCrunch

Call it process journalism or call it "just talking" but what we do at TechCrunch and what they do at AllThingsD and what they do at TNW and GigaOm is approximately the same thing: we spread the word on important deals, inventions, and improvements in the tech industry.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

An intermediate-mid in French or Japanese can do approximately the same things in their respective languages.

University of Chicago

"We have three different toolbars that approximately do the same thing," said Gary Flake, the head of Live Labs, Microsoft's Internet research unit.

The New York Times - Tech

However, they are nice to an interracial family for approximately two seconds, which is totally the same thing as challenging societally constructed racial biases.

Huffington Post

Approximately 20percentt of people reported feeling overwhelmed by "information overload" in a Pew survey reported earlier this month, compared with 27percentt reporting the same thing in a 2006 survey.

Huffington Post

"The same thing here.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "approximately the same thing" when you want to convey that two concepts or objects share significant similarities without being completely identical. This acknowledges subtle differences while highlighting the overall equivalence.

Common error

Avoid using "approximately the same thing" when the differences are significant or material. If the items being compared have key distinctions that alter their function or meaning, a more precise descriptor is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately the same thing" functions as a qualifier, indicating that two or more things share similar characteristics or outcomes without being completely identical. It serves to highlight the similarities while acknowledging potential minor differences. Ludwig examples illustrate this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "approximately the same thing" is used to express that two or more entities are very similar but not completely identical. Ludwig AI classifies the phrase as grammatically correct and its usage is deemed uncommon. It appears frequently in news and media, academic and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity in writing, it's important to use this phrase when the differences between the compared entities are minor, and to avoid it when key distinctions exist. Alternatives such as "roughly equivalent" or "virtually identical" can be used for a more or less degree of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical

Indicates a very high degree of similarity, with only slight differences.

more or less identical

Indicates a close resemblance with minor discrepancies.

much the same

Implies a close similarity, often used for comparing conditions or situations.

virtually identical

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

roughly equivalent

Suggests a similarity in value or effect, though not necessarily in form.

substantially equivalent

Highlights that the core essence or function is the same, even if minor details differ.

largely similar

Focuses on the overall likeness while acknowledging possible differences.

pretty much the same

An informal way of saying that things are largely alike.

near enough the same

A more colloquial way to express approximate similarity or equivalence.

comparable to

Highlights that the elements being discussed are similar enough to be compared.

FAQs

What does "approximately the same thing" mean?

The phrase "approximately the same thing" means that two or more items, concepts, or ideas are very similar but not exactly identical. They share key characteristics or outcomes but may have minor differences.

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

You can use "approximately the same thing" to compare different concepts or items, such as, "While the methods differed slightly, the results were "approximately the same thing"."

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

"Approximately the same thing" implies slight differences exist, while "exactly the same thing" means there are no differences whatsoever. Choose based on the precision you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "approximately the same thing"?

You can use alternatives like "roughly equivalent", "virtually identical", or "more or less identical" depending on the context and the level of precision required.