be virtually identical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be virtually identical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more things that are almost the same or have very few differences. Example: "The two reports are so similar that they can be considered to be virtually identical in their findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The embryos, and the stem cells derived, would be virtually identical to cells in the patient.

The New York Times

Each structure needs to be virtually identical to ensure that a circuit operates as intended.

MIT Technology Review

Not only that, but the vote margins in each district would be virtually identical.

The Washington Post

Then, Dr. Olson calculated that the setting would be virtually identical at 4 05 p.m. on Dec. 13, 1994.

The New York Times - Science

Although these infected groups had nothing at all to do with one another, the bacteria that caused the infections in each group proved to be virtually identical.

The New York Times - Science

INFINITI M45 -- This concept car is said to be virtually identical to the next production version of the M45 midrange luxury sedan, to go on sale next spring.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

They were virtually identical.

The New York Times

Our meals were virtually identical.

The New York Times - Food

The figures are virtually identical.

The New York Times

Response rates were virtually identical.

Journal of Environmental Management

The results, he says, were virtually identical.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be virtually identical" to emphasize a strong similarity with minor differences. It's more impactful than simply saying things are similar.

Common error

Avoid using "be virtually identical" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "almost the same" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be virtually identical" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a high degree of similarity. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is usable and provides many examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be virtually identical" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that two or more things are very similar, with only minor differences. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is frequently found in news, science, and business contexts. While acceptable across various registers, simpler alternatives may be preferable in very informal settings. When precision matters, especially when there are only insignificant differences, "be virtually identical" is a strong choice, as it emphasizes the high degree of similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be almost indistinguishable

Indicates a very high degree of similarity, to the point where differences are hard to detect.

be nearly the same

A more straightforward way of expressing similarity, suitable for less formal contexts.

be practically equivalent

Highlights the functional equivalence of the items being compared.

be essentially alike

Emphasizes the fundamental similarity, even if minor differences exist.

be much the same

Suggests a strong resemblance, focusing on the overall similarity.

be closely analogous

Suitable when drawing parallels or comparisons between different things.

be effectively equal

Focuses on the outcome or impact being the same, despite potential differences.

be tantamount to

Indicates that the two things are almost equivalent in their effect or significance.

be twins

Informal, but emphasizes exact resemblance

to all intents and purposes be the same

Highlights similarity in the most important aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "be virtually identical" in a sentence?

You can use "be virtually identical" to describe two things that are almost the same. For instance, "The two prototypes "are virtually identical" in functionality."

What phrases are similar to "be virtually identical"?

Similar phrases include "be almost indistinguishable", "be nearly the same", and "be practically equivalent".

When is it appropriate to use "be virtually identical"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that two things are so similar that the differences are negligible in most practical situations. It's suitable for formal and technical contexts.

Is there a difference between "be identical" and "be virtually identical"?

"Be identical" implies that two things are exactly the same. "Be virtually identical" means they're almost the same, with only minor differences. It acknowledges slight variations that don't significantly alter the overall equivalence.