as nearly the same as can be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as nearly the same as can be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that two things are very similar or identical to the greatest extent possible. Example: "The two designs are as nearly the same as can be, making it difficult to choose between them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Analogously, the fit of all of them is nearly the same, whereas model I provides the best fit, as can be seen by the lowest value of sigma.

Health Economics Review

Nice as can be".

The New York Times

Rich as can be.

Forbes

However, as for our model, the evolved results via the different initial contours are nearly the same, which can be seen from the third column.

BioMed Research International

It's not nearly as good as it can be.

TechCrunch

As can be seen in Figure 7, the Weighted Window method can keep the bandwidth of each user at nearly the same level.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

As can be seen in Figure  4, the J.FP model has a slightly lower AIC but the shape of log (c t, t -  d)) remains nearly the same.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

She was as happy as can be".

The New York Times - Magazine

It was as extravagant as can be".

The New Yorker

"It's as bumpy as can be".

The New York Times - Sports

It's as simple as can be.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as nearly the same as can be" to indicate that differences are so minimal that they don't significantly affect the outcome or consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "as nearly the same as can be" when there are significant or consequential differences. This phrase is best reserved for situations where variations are truly minor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as nearly the same as can be" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates the extent to which something is similar or identical to something else. Although examples are limited in Ludwig, the available data suggests appropriate usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as nearly the same as can be" is used to convey a high degree of similarity, suggesting that any differences are negligible. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not frequently encountered, it is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts and serves to assure of close resemblance. Consider alternatives such as "almost identical" or "virtually the same" for brevity or emphasis. When using the phrase, clarify the aspects of similarity to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as close as possible

Focuses on proximity rather than an exact match.

almost identical

Emphasizes the high degree of similarity, nearing identity.

virtually the same

Highlights the negligible difference between the items.

practically indistinguishable

Stresses the difficulty in discerning any differences.

nearly equivalent

Highlights functional equivalence, even if not perfectly identical.

tantamount to

Implies equivalence in effect or value.

for all intents and purposes the same

Expresses functional equivalence in a legal or practical context.

as good as the same

Suggests a level of similarity where differences are negligible in practical use.

effectively the same

Indicates that the outcome or result is the same, even if the process differs.

much the same

A simpler way of saying they are similar.

FAQs

How can I use "as nearly the same as can be" in a sentence?

You can use "as nearly the same as can be" to express a high degree of similarity between two or more things, suggesting that any differences are minimal. For example, "The two prototypes are "as nearly the same as can be", with only slight variations in their manufacturing process".

What are some alternatives to "as nearly the same as can be"?

Alternatives include "almost identical", "virtually the same", "as close as possible", or "practically indistinguishable". The best choice depends on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "as nearly the same as can be" in formal writing?

Yes, "as nearly the same as can be" is appropriate for formal writing, although alternatives like "virtually the same" or "almost identical" might be preferred in some academic or professional contexts due to their brevity.

What's the difference between "as nearly the same as can be" and "exactly the same"?

"As nearly the same as can be" implies that there might be some minor differences, while "exactly the same" indicates complete identity. Use "as nearly the same as can be" when the differences are negligible or inconsequential.