are exactly the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are exactly the same" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more items, concepts, or situations are identical in every aspect. Example: "The two models of the car are exactly the same in terms of performance and features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They are exactly the same.

The New York Times

Expectations are exactly the same.

The New York Times - Sports

"Soldiers with PTSD are exactly the same.

BBC

They are exactly the same type.

University of California, Berkeley

One said: "We are exactly the same".

The Guardian - Opinion

My contracted hours are exactly the same.

The Guardian

We are exactly the same age.

The Guardian

"Our lives here are exactly the same.

The New Yorker

"My colleagues are exactly the same.

The Guardian

No two people are exactly the same.

Harvard Business Review

The diplomas for the two programs are exactly the same.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are exactly the same" to clearly and unequivocally state that two or more things have no differences. It avoids ambiguity and leaves no room for misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "are exactly the same" when there are only minor similarities or when differences are negligible. Using a phrase like "are virtually identical" might be a better choice to convey that differences exists but are not so important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are exactly the same" functions as a comparative phrase used to assert that two or more entities share complete identity. As affirmed by Ludwig, it denotes an absolute equivalence leaving no room for dissimilarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are exactly the same" is a versatile and frequently used phrase for expressing complete equivalence across a broad spectrum of contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While appropriate for both formal and informal communication, it's essential to ensure genuine identity to avoid overstatements. Alternative phrases like "are identical" and "are completely the same" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. With its strong presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and academic institutions, "are exactly the same" remains a reliable choice for conveying precise sameness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are completely identical

Emphasizes the complete and total sameness between items.

are precisely equivalent

Highlights the precise and accurate nature of the equivalence.

are perfectly alike

Stresses the flawless and indistinguishable nature of the similarity.

are indistinguishable

Focuses on the inability to tell the difference between the items.

are virtually identical

Indicates a near-perfect similarity with minimal differences.

are one and the same

Emphasizes that two things are actually a single entity.

are twins

Uses a metaphor to suggest an exceptionally high degree of similarity.

are carbon copies

Implies a precise duplication, often in a negative or critical way.

mirror each other

Indicates a reversed but identical relationship, like a reflection.

correspond perfectly

Highlights the exact matching or alignment between two things.

FAQs

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

Use "are exactly the same" to express that two or more things are identical in every detail. For example: "The two versions of the software "are exactly the same", so there's no need to upgrade."

What can I say instead of "are exactly the same"?

You can use alternatives like "are identical", "are completely the same", or "are precisely equivalent" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are exactly the same" or "are almost the same"?

The correct phrase depends on the degree of similarity you want to express. "Are exactly the same" means there is no difference, while "are almost the same" implies minor differences.

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

"Are exactly the same" indicates complete equivalence, whereas "are similar" indicates that there are shared characteristics but not necessarily complete equivalence.