barely the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely the same" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two things that are very similar but have slight differences that make them not quite identical. Example: "The two designs are barely the same, with only minor adjustments in color and layout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Her words echoed those of Barack Obama, but have had barely the same impact.

The Guardian

A seven-year gap at this stage is such a massive part of those lives and they're barely the same people as last time out.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I came to believe that when you change the life cycle of a plant or an animal you end up with something that is barely the same species," he said.

The New Yorker

Lecturing in Charleston, in March, 1850, Louis Agassiz, one of Harvard's most popular professors, explained that black and white Americans inhabited separate "zoological provinces": they were barely the same species, and only whites were descended from Adam and Eve.

The New Yorker

It's barely the same game (and often not the same players) as cricket's four day and even its 50-over versions – that all important new audience needs to be stroked.

The Guardian - Sport

This reported impact is larger than the share of spent in big data (2 % of revenue spent in total), but slightly lower than the share of capex spent (3.1 %), which would suggest that big data leads to barely the same profitability as other projects in telecom companies.

Journal of Big Data

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Her fellow journalist, Matthew Cooper of Time magazine, just barely escaped the same lock-up.

The Guardian

Mike Dunleavy inbounded the ball from the baseline and found Chris Duhon just barely on the same side of midcourt.

The New York Times - Sports

It came just the same: a barely perceptible drizzle in the early afternoon that eventually became a genuine drizzle.

The New York Times - Sports

The media barely noticed; the same obliviousness persists.

The Washington Post

Poor Tsonga has barely been the same since.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing items or concepts that are closely related but not exactly alike, "barely the same" can help highlight the nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "barely the same" when the differences are substantial or significant. The phrase implies a high degree of similarity with only minor deviations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely the same" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically intensifying the similarity between two subjects while acknowledging a subtle difference. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its use is grammatically correct. Examples show it comparing species, games, and even people.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely the same" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a situation where two entities are highly similar but possess subtle differences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression. It's most frequently encountered in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. When using the phrase, remember to emphasize the near-identity and ensure that the subtle differences are relevant to the discussion. Alternatives like "almost identical", "virtually alike", and "scarcely distinguishable" can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical

Indicates a very high degree of similarity, approaching perfect identity.

virtually alike

Emphasizes the negligible differences between two things.

scarcely distinguishable

Highlights the difficulty in perceiving any differences.

hardly different

Focuses on the lack of substantial variation.

nominally similar

Suggests similarity in name or form, but perhaps not in substance.

technically comparable

Implies a basis for comparison exists, but the similarity might be weak.

roughly equivalent

Indicates an approximate correspondence, allowing for some deviation.

marginally comparable

Points to a slight degree of comparability.

faintly reminiscent

Suggests a subtle echoing or mirroring of qualities.

remotely related

Indicates a distant or tenuous connection.

FAQs

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

Use "barely the same" to describe two things that are almost identical but have slight differences. For example, "The two versions of the software are "barely the same", with only minor updates to the interface."

What's a good alternative to "barely the same"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "almost identical", "virtually alike", or "scarcely distinguishable" to express a similar meaning.

Is "barely the same" the same as "exactly the same"?

No, "barely the same" indicates a very high degree of similarity but acknowledges minor differences. "Exactly the same" means there are no differences whatsoever.

When is it appropriate to use "barely the same" instead of "almost the same"?

"Barely the same" is useful when emphasizing that despite the high degree of similarity, the small differences are still noteworthy or significant. Use "almost the same" when those differences are less important.