basically the same as

USAGE SUMMARY

"basically the same as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that two things are similar. Example: His job title is basically the same as mine.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The basic process for converting wholewheat flour to bread flour is basically the same as above.

WikiHow

"It was basically the same as breathing.

The New York Times - Sports

Which was basically the same as that Adam Lallana goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Basically, the same as all other recent Scottish surveys.

The Guardian

The model is basically the same as the CRP mixture model with a slight modification.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The PWM circuit is basically the same as the one adopt in Lab 4.

Cornell University

The above mechanism is basically the same as that proposed for high hydrogen-containing carbons before.

Electrochimica Acta

The oscillation mechanism is basically the same as that for formic acid.

Electrochimica Acta

The results of the improved evaluation method are basically the same as the official water quality.

Journal of Hydrology

Except for some minor rule changes, the indoor game is basically the same as the outdoor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first cast in New York was basically the same as London's, and it was excellent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "basically the same as" with a brief explanation of any key differences.

Common error

Avoid using "basically the same as" when significant differences exist. This can mislead the audience and undermine your credibility. If there are substantial variations, choose a more accurate phrase such as "similar to" or "related to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically the same as" functions as a prepositional phrase used to express similarity or equivalence between two or more things. It indicates that despite potential minor differences, the overall characteristics or nature are alike. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basically the same as" is a versatile phrase used to denote a general similarity between two or more things, acknowledging that minor differences may exist. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While appropriate for a variety of contexts, including news, general writing and even wiki articles, more formal settings might benefit from more precise alternatives such as "essentially identical to" or "virtually equivalent to". Remembering to clarify differences when using this phrase ensures clear communication. With an expert rating of 4.5, it's a reliable tool for expressing similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially identical to

Emphasizes that the core nature is alike, even with minor variations.

virtually equivalent to

Indicates near-perfect sameness but allows for extremely minor differences.

practically indistinguishable from

Focuses on the inability to tell the difference in most real-world contexts.

much the same as

Highlights a high degree of similarity, with slight room for variation.

comparable to

Implies similarity for the purpose of comparison, without claiming exact identity.

analogous to

Suggests a similarity based on shared characteristics or functions, often in a more abstract or conceptual sense.

roughly equivalent to

Indicates a similarity in effect or value, but allows for imprecision.

on par with

Highlights similarity in quality or status, implying equality in performance.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance in nature or character, but not necessarily in every detail.

bears a resemblance to

Highlights observable similarities, but does not guarantee functional equivalence.

FAQs

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

You can use "basically the same as" to indicate that two things are very similar, even if not completely identical. For instance, "This recipe is basically the same as the one my grandmother used to make."

What's a more formal alternative to "basically the same as"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "essentially identical to", "virtually equivalent to", or "practically indistinguishable from".

How does "basically the same as" differ from "exactly the same as"?

"Basically the same as" implies minor differences might exist, while "exactly the same as" suggests no differences whatsoever. Use "basically the same as" when you want to acknowledge slight variations while still emphasizing overall similarity.

Is it acceptable to use "basically the same as" in academic writing?

While acceptable, using more precise language can enhance the clarity and authority of academic writing. Consider stronger synonyms like "fundamentally the same as" or "substantively the same as" when appropriate.