be approximately the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be approximately the same' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate two or more things are similar, though not identically the same. For example, "The two designs were similar in style, but the colors were not quite the same; they could be approximately the same, however."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Autumnal events would be approximately the same intervals earlier.

Britannica

The stipend will be approximately the same as for graduate students in other MIT departments.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The cost to build the first block was just over Shs 38m and the second will be approximately the same".

The Guardian

The zone thickness was found to be approximately the same for samples of comparable porosities.

Chemical Engineering Science

The rate-of-pay will be approximately the same as for graduate students in other MIT departments.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The opening of these three plugs is controlled to be approximately the same at 55%% of the plug surface area.

Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science

The critical undercooling required is found to be approximately the same as that defined by Turnbull's patch nucleation theory.

Acta Materialia

The absorption depth should be approximately the same (0.2 mm in this case) at the frequency of the laser.

Polymer

We project this summer's peak demand to be approximately the same as last year's, when our service territory set an all-time usage record.

The New York Times

Although the process of formation is thought to be approximately the same as that of a fluvial pothole, the moulin pothole can be distinguished by its location.

Britannica

Velocity or electric dipole magnitude during modulation should be approximately the same as when the transmitter resonates at only one frequency.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the units or criteria used for comparison when stating that two or more things "be approximately the same".

Common error

Avoid using "be approximately the same" when there are significant differences. If the variations are substantial, opt for phrases that indicate a weaker correlation, such as "be somewhat similar" or "share some characteristics".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be approximately the same" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying the subject by asserting a state of near equivalence. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates similarity without strict equality. This usage is supported by numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

21%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be approximately the same" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to indicate similarity without strict equality. As Ludwig AI's analysis and the numerous examples show, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, from scientific research and news reports to encyclopedic entries and wiki articles. This phrase is most commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, making it a reliable choice for expressing near equivalence in various forms of writing. When you aim to communicate that two or more entities share similar characteristics without being perfectly identical, this expression serves as an effective and easily understood means of expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be roughly the same

Replaces "approximately" with "roughly", suggesting a less precise estimate of similarity.

be nearly the same

Emphasizes the closeness of the similarity, suggesting a small margin of difference.

be almost identical

Indicates a very high degree of similarity, close to being indistinguishable.

be practically equivalent

Suggests that the differences are negligible for practical purposes.

be on par with

Implies a comparison of equality in terms of quality, status, or performance.

be comparable to

Highlights the similarity for comparison purposes.

be of a similar order

Indicates that the magnitude or scale is alike.

be much alike

Suggests a strong resemblance or similarity.

bear resemblance to

Focuses on the shared characteristics or features.

exhibit similarities to

Formal way to denote similarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "be approximately the same" to indicate that two or more things are similar, but not exactly equal. For example, "The costs for both projects will "be approximately the same"."

What are some alternatives to "be approximately the same"?

Alternatives include "be roughly the same", "be nearly the same", or "be almost identical", depending on the degree of similarity you want to convey.

Is it better to say "be approximately the same" or "be exactly the same"?

The choice depends on the accuracy you want to convey. "Be approximately the same" indicates a close similarity with minor differences, while "be exactly the same" implies no difference at all.

Can "be approximately the same" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "be approximately the same" is suitable for formal writing, especially when precise measurements are not available or necessary. It is commonly used in scientific, academic, and business contexts.