are indistinguishable from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are indistinguishable from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more things that are so similar that they cannot be told apart. Example: "The two paintings are indistinguishable from each other, making it difficult to determine which one is the original."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Indeed, they are indistinguishable from them.

The New York Times

Many projects three decades later are indistinguishable from "regular" neighborhoods.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

To my eye, they are indistinguishable from the surrounding jungle.

The Guardian - Travel

Gunmen in the province today are indistinguishable from Taliban fighters.

The New York Times

"Very often these buildings are indistinguishable from office buildings".

The New York Times

"Most art dealers are indistinguishable from fashion people," he said.

The New York Times - Style

The new fixtures are indistinguishable from the originals.

The New York Times

The limb bones are indistinguishable from those of modern humans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although the two forms cause disease of different severity, they are indistinguishable from one another.

Stanford University

In a communist society, the individual's best interests are indistinguishable from the society's best interest.

Stanford University

I have seen where employees and contractors are indistinguishable from an ownership/accountability and innovation standpoint.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are indistinguishable from" to emphasize a near-perfect similarity, where differences are so minimal they are hard to notice.

Common error

Avoid using "are indistinguishable from" when there are clear, albeit minor, differences. Instead, opt for phrases like "are very similar to" or "closely resemble".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are indistinguishable from" functions as a comparative descriptor, used to express that two or more entities share such a high degree of similarity that they cannot be differentiated. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly employed to highlight the likeness between objects, concepts, or even conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

25%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are indistinguishable from" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating that two or more entities share a high degree of similarity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Its function is to emphasize the near-perfect likeness between the compared items, often implying that any differences are negligible. Predominantly used in neutral to formal registers, this phrase finds frequent application in News & Media, Science, and Academic domains. When aiming to highlight the near-identity of compared entities, consider this phrase for its precision and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be differentiated from

Emphasizes the inability to perceive a difference.

are virtually identical to

Highlights a near-perfect match with only minor, insignificant differences.

are practically the same as

Suggests similarity to the point of being functionally equivalent.

are as alike as two peas in a pod

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey extreme similarity.

are nearly equivalent to

Focuses on the equivalence in value or function.

bear a striking resemblance to

Highlights the noticeable similarity in appearance or characteristics.

mirror each other

Implies a perfect reflection of qualities or attributes.

are twins

Uses a metaphorical term for things that are exactly alike.

have no discernible difference from

Points out the absence of noticeable distinctions.

amount to the same thing as

Indicates that despite different forms, the outcome or meaning is identical.

FAQs

How can I use "are indistinguishable from" in a sentence?

Use "are indistinguishable from" when comparing two or more items that appear to be the same. For example, "The two brands of bottled water "are indistinguishable from" each other in taste and appearance."

What's a less formal way to say "are indistinguishable from"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "are basically the same as", "are pretty much alike", or "look identical to".

What's the difference between "are indistinguishable from" and "are similar to"?

"Are indistinguishable from" suggests that there are no noticeable differences, while "are similar to" implies there are some differences, even if minor.

Which is more emphatic: "are similar to" or "are indistinguishable from"?

"Are indistinguishable from" is more emphatic, conveying that the items being compared appear identical, while "are similar to" acknowledges some degree of difference.