around the same

USAGE SUMMARY

'around the same' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express that an action or amount is not exactly the same but is close to it. For example: "We finished the project around the same time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Festivals took around the same amount.

The Economist

Hang around the same group of people.

WikiHow

Around the same time, U.A.E.

The New York Times

Around the same time (Oct.

The New York Times

His parents died around the same time.

The New York Times

It's around the same number this year.

The New York Times

Around the same time, I discovered Wattpad.

The Guardian

U2 played there around the same time.

The Guardian - Music

Mansour was released around the same time.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Roughly around the same time as Katrina".

The New York Times

Around the same time the orchestra had other difficulties.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To indicate events that occurred close in time, use "around the same time" or "at about the same time".

Common error

Avoid using "around the same" when precision is required. If you have an exact measurement, use that instead of an approximation. For instance, instead of saying "The temperature was around the same, about 25 degrees Celsius", use "The temperature was 25 degrees Celsius".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around the same" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify verbs or adjectives, indicating approximation or similarity in time, quantity, or quality. As shown by Ludwig, it expresses that things are not exactly identical but are close enough to be considered comparable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around the same" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that two or more things are approximately equal in time, amount, or quality. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While suitable for most contexts, more precise language might be preferred in highly formal or scientific writing. The phrase appears frequently in news, media, and wiki sources. For situations demanding greater precision, alternatives like "roughly equivalent" or "nearly identical" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in similar timeframes

Specifically relates to timing, indicating events occurring close together.

nearly contemporaneous

Highlights that events occurred at the same time or during the same period.

comparable timeframe

Highlights the similarity in timing, focusing on a period of time.

roughly equivalent

Focuses on the approximate equivalence of something, rather than the timing.

at approximately the same point

Focuses on a specific location or stage that is nearly identical.

in the vicinity of

Suggests an approximation, focusing on proximity rather than exactness.

in a similar ballpark

Implies that the numbers or values are close without being precisely the same.

almost identical

Emphasizes the high degree of similarity, nearly the same.

virtually indistinguishable

Emphasizes the impossibility of telling the difference between two things.

more or less equal

Indicates a general sense of equality, allowing for slight variations.

FAQs

How can I use "around the same" in a sentence?

You can use "around the same" to indicate that two or more things are similar in quantity, time, or quality but not exactly identical. For example, "The two products cost "roughly equivalent" prices".

What are some alternatives to "around the same"?

Alternatives include "roughly equivalent", "nearly identical", or "in the vicinity of", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "around the same" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "around the same" might be considered informal for highly formal or scientific writing. In such cases, consider using more precise language such as "approximately equal" or "comparable".

What's the difference between "around the same" and "exactly the same"?

"Around the same" implies an approximation or similarity, while "exactly the same" indicates that there is no difference whatsoever. Use "around the same" when precision is not critical and "exactly the same" when you want to emphasize that there is no difference.