basically identical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically identical" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to express that two things are almost the same. For example, "The two houses were basically identical in size."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Basically identical to MyProtein, but a bit more expensive, so maybe it tastes better?

The Guardian - Sport

The present-day systems of Danish, Dano-Norwegian, New Norwegian, and Swedish are basically identical.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A Journal editor called the similarities to the attention of CBS News on Monday, and executives there, reading the two pieces, immediately concluded that they were basically identical.

The New York Times - Arts

He explained that the teams in both races would be basically identical, with most of the field representing teams in the elite ProTour ranking.

The New York Times - Sports

In particular, Mr. Ryan offers a plan for Social Security privatization that is basically identical to the Bush proposals of five years ago.

The New York Times

All of these FPIs have basically identical optics.

Earth, Planets and Space

The procedures of kinetic experiments were basically identical to those of equilibrium tests.

Applied Water Science

The charts in Figures 1 and 2 are basically identical at (t=0.1).

Advances in Difference Equations

The results are basically identical if we include or exclude these individuals.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Master and client software are basically identical, and operation mode only differs by software configuration.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Notably, this spectrum is basically identical to the "initial substrate" in the lower group of curves.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "basically identical" to indicate that while things may not be 100% the same, they function or appear as if they are.

Common error

Avoid using "basically identical" when there are significant or important differences. Use qualifiers like "similar" or "comparable" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically identical" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a high degree of similarity but not complete equivalence. Ludwig confirms that this is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "basically identical" is a grammatically sound and common way to express that two things are nearly, but not completely, the same. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples from diverse sources like news media, scientific publications and encyclopedias. While its usage is generally acceptable across different contexts, more formal settings might benefit from more precise alternatives like ""essentially equivalent"" or ""virtually the same"". When using the phrase, ensure that any existing differences are indeed negligible to avoid overstating the similarity. Remember, it suggests that the elements are so similar that distinctions become practically inconsequential. The phrase is widely used and understood, making it a valuable tool in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually the same

This alternative emphasizes the minimal difference between the items being compared.

almost indistinguishable

This phrase highlights the difficulty in telling the difference between the two items.

essentially equivalent

This emphasizes the functional equivalence despite any minor differences.

largely alike

This suggests that the majority of aspects are similar.

practically equivalent

Implies equivalence in practical terms, even if not perfectly identical.

nearly equivalent

This alternative denotes only a slight difference.

much the same

A more informal way of expressing similarity.

close to identical

Highlights the proximity to being completely identical.

effectively the same

Focuses on the outcome or effect being identical.

roughly equivalent

Indicates a general, rather than precise, equivalence.

FAQs

How can I use "basically identical" in a sentence?

You can use "basically identical" to describe two things that are very similar but not exactly the same. For example, "The two prototypes were "basically identical" in functionality."

What phrases can I use instead of "basically identical"?

You can use alternatives like "virtually the same", "essentially equivalent", or "practically equivalent" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "basically identical" in formal writing?

While "basically identical" is widely understood, it's somewhat informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise or sophisticated alternatives such as ""essentially equivalent"" or ""virtually the same"".

What's the difference between ""basically identical"" and "exactly the same"?

"Basically identical" suggests a very high degree of similarity but acknowledges that minor differences might exist. "Exactly the same" implies complete and total equivalence.