are practically the same as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are practically the same as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing two or more items that are very similar in nature or function. Example: "The two models of the smartphone are practically the same as each other, with only minor differences in color and storage capacity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The morphologies of these films are practically the same as those of the Si substrate in Fig. 1e.

Nanoscale Research Letters

As Additional file 1: Table S3 and Table S4 illustrate, these are practically the same as those presented in the main text.

IZA Journal of Migration

X50-values of the aerosol from laser diffraction analysis obtained with the Twincer® disposable inhaler concept (containing multiple air classifier technology) are practically the same as that for the pure drug in the range of dose weights between 0 and 25 mg.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Finally, the proposed truncated Irwin spires method/configuration is confirmed as a proper way to carry out ABL wind-tunnel simulations, as the results are practically the same as the ones obtained with the well-established Counihan method to simulate ABL in wind tunnels.

Measurement

All these steps and parameters are practically the same as in 1842.

Huffington Post

The seasons and the weather in Aleppo are practically the same as here – Copenhagen is just a little chillier.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The Virgin's facial features were practically the same as Jesus's.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Stewart's friends say that her current social activity is practically the same as it always was.

The New York Times

Another considered this and replied, "He is a Protestant, he says it's practically the same as Wahhabi — let him be".

The New Yorker

"Really, during the Zhou dynasty we were practically the same as ancient Rome or Egypt!" His wife peered toward the dining room.

The New Yorker

To listen to some pundits, you'd think that ad was practically the same as the famous G.O.P. ad accusing Max Cleland of being weak on national security.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are practically the same as" to convey a strong sense of similarity, but acknowledge that subtle differences may exist. Ensure that your context aligns with this implication.

Common error

Avoid using "are practically the same as" when there are significant differences between the items being compared. Use a more nuanced comparison instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are practically the same as" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating a high degree of similarity between two or more entities. It's used to establish that the differences are insignificant for a particular purpose, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. Examples show its usage across multiple domains, including science and news.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are practically the same as" is a versatile comparative descriptor, indicating a high degree of similarity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. With a neutral register, it's adaptable across various contexts, mainly in science and news. Although precise, it does not exclude informal registers. When writing, ensure genuine, near-identical similarity to avoid overstatement. Alternatives include "are virtually identical to" and "are essentially the same as".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are virtually identical to

Emphasizes a negligible difference, implying near-perfect similarity.

are almost identical to

Suggests a very slight difference, nearly imperceptible.

are essentially the same as

Highlights the fundamental similarity, downplaying minor variations.

are nearly equivalent to

Focuses on the functional equivalence, even if there are structural differences.

are comparable to

Highlights the aspects in which the items can be measured against each other.

are much alike

Indicates a strong resemblance without implying exact equivalence.

bear a strong resemblance to

Focuses on visual or superficial similarities.

are closely related to

Highlights the close relation of the compared subjects or items.

share many similarities with

Emphasizes the presence of multiple common traits.

approximate to

Indicates an approximate relation between the compared subjects or items.

FAQs

What does "are practically the same as" mean?

The phrase "are practically the same as" suggests that two or more things are very similar, almost identical, but may have slight differences that are not significant in the given context. It's a way of highlighting their equivalence for a specific purpose.

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

You can use the phrase to compare two or more subjects that have close resemblances, as in, "For all intents and purposes, civil unions "are practically the same as same-sex marriage"."

What can I say instead of "are practically the same as"?

You can use alternatives like "are virtually identical to", "are almost identical to", or "are essentially the same as" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "are practically the same as" too informal for academic writing?

While "are practically the same as" is acceptable in various contexts, for formal academic writing, consider using "are nearly equivalent to" or "are comparable to" for a more precise and scholarly tone.