are approximately the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are approximately the same" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more items that have similar values or characteristics, indicating that they are not exactly equal but close enough for practical purposes. Example: "The two measurements taken from the experiment are approximately the same, suggesting consistency in the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ridges trend generally east west and are approximately the same height.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The mature eggs of horses and humans are approximately the same size somewhat less than 150 microns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The two animals are approximately the same size, and mothers and young of both species have been found in the same nest burrows.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Because the major roles in the play are approximately the same size, the actors end up spending a lot of time waiting around to go on, so you really need people with minimal vanity who enjoy the company," he said.

The New York Times

The events cost about $8,000 for a booth and are approximately the same.

TechCrunch

The calculated result and the measured value are approximately the same.

Construction and Building Materials

We conclude that effective stress and total stress are approximately the same in this model.

Geothermal Energy

For low-speed flows, the static temperature and stagnation temperature are approximately the same [38].

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

The decay profiles of the TCSPC measurements are approximately the same for the different probing wavelengths.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Moreover, the specific charge values yielded by the two methods are approximately the same and very close together.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

The preferred orientation changes from (200) to (111) with yttrium addition, while the grain sizes are approximately the same.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two sets of data, use "are approximately the same" to convey that the differences are not statistically significant or relevant to the analysis. For example, "The average scores of the two groups are approximately the same, indicating that the intervention had no significant effect."

Common error

Avoid using "are approximately the same" when a more precise comparison is possible. If you have the exact values, use them instead of generalizing with "approximately the same". For example, if the values are 5.1 and 5.2, stating they "are approximately the same" is less informative than saying "the values are 5.1 and 5.2 respectively".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are approximately the same" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating a degree of similarity or near equivalence between two or more entities. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

14%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are approximately the same" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a high degree of similarity between two or more items. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While perfect for conveying near-equality, it's important to avoid overstating similarity when precise data is available. Related phrases like "are nearly the same" and "are roughly the same" offer nuanced alternatives. Primarily found in scientific and news contexts, this phrase serves to efficiently communicate that differences are negligible for the purpose at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are nearly the same

This alternative emphasizes a slight difference, implying a very close similarity but not perfect equality.

are roughly the same

Replaces "approximately" with "roughly", suggesting an estimation or lack of precise measurement.

are almost the same

Indicates a high degree of similarity, close to being identical but not quite.

are virtually identical

Emphasizes a higher degree of similarity, suggesting any differences are negligible.

are practically the same

Highlights that the differences are so small that they don't matter in practice.

are more or less the same

Acknowledges some variation but asserts that overall they are similar.

are comparable

Focuses on the ability to compare due to similar qualities or characteristics.

are of similar magnitude

Specifically refers to size or quantity being roughly equal.

are on par

Implies equality in status or level, more often used in competitive contexts.

are close in value

Highlights the proximity in numerical or measurable value.

FAQs

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

Use "are approximately the same" to compare two or more items that share similar characteristics or values, implying the difference is negligible for the purpose at hand. Example: "The two models "are approximately the same" in terms of performance."

What phrases can I use instead of "are approximately the same"?

Alternatives include "are nearly the same", "are roughly the same", or "are almost the same". The choice depends on the degree of similarity you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "are approximately equal" instead of "are approximately the same"?

Yes, "are approximately equal" is a valid alternative. While both express a similarity, "equal" emphasizes a quantitative aspect, whereas "the same" can apply to qualities as well as quantities. For example, "The prices "are approximately the same"" focuses on the monetary value, and the features "are approximately the same" focuses on their characteristics.

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

"Are exactly the same" implies perfect identity, with no discernible difference. "Are approximately the same" suggests that there may be some differences, but they are small enough to be disregarded in a given context.