closely same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closely same" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers; instead, consider using more standard phrases to convey similarity. Example: "The two designs are closely same in their overall appearance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

We don't know how relationship norms and expectations will evolve in the gay community – where the ongoing Dan Savage-style debates about monogamy and fidelity will lead, for instance, or how closely same-sex marriage will be associated with childrearing.

The New York Times

The copolymers possess closely the same, relatively high thermal and thermooxidative stabilities as that of PNIPAAm.

Polymer

The pattern of the consonants is the formal vehicle of the substantive argument, the argument that what is asserted to be different is really, if you look closely, the same.

The New York Times

The Modal frequencies were closely the same which confirmed technique of simulation.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

Healy said that acquisition in a way is representative of bigger changes in the mobile ad industry, which follows closely the same evolutions we've seen across digital advertising as a whole.

TechCrunch

The power of the post-decapitation EEG in the anesthetized group is thus closely the same as in the awake group.

Plosone

Comparison of these animals showed that many components occurred at closely the same relative abundance while others varied up to 10-fold.

Plosone

The resulting relationships were characterized as closely bonded (same individuals, extended period) and casually bonded (short periods, see Methods).

Animal Behaviour

c) Why do these data, which show significant deleterious relationships between PCBs and Full Scale IQ, Verbal IQ, and Freedom from Distractibility, replicate so closely the same pattern seen in PCB-exposed children from Lake Michigan a decade ago?

Environmental Health Perspectives

At a recent class Mr. Segura and Mr. Gazenbeek watched closely as same-sex couples practiced the syncopated strides, close embraces and entwined legs of traditional Argentine tango.

The New York Times - Arts

Although today's ruling was not widely anticipated, the case was being watched closely by same-sex-marriage advocates.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "closely same" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically accepted alternatives like "very similar" or "almost identical."

Common error

A common mistake is to directly combine "closely" (an adverb) with "same" (an adjective) as if they form a standard compound adjective. Instead, use a construction where "closely" modifies a verb or adjective that correctly relates to "same", such as "closely resembles the same pattern" or rephrase entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely same" attempts to function as a descriptor indicating a high degree of similarity or equivalence. However, as indicated by Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically correct in standard English. Its intended function is to modify a noun by expressing similarity.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "closely same" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in standard written English. As Ludwig AI points out, it's advisable to use more appropriate alternatives like "very similar", "nearly identical", or "almost the same" to accurately convey the intended meaning of similarity or equivalence. Given its lack of proper grammatical structure and the availability of clearer alternatives, avoiding "closely same" will improve the clarity and correctness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very similar

Replaces "closely same" with a more common and grammatically correct expression of similarity.

nearly identical

Emphasizes the almost complete likeness between two things.

almost the same

Indicates a high degree of similarity with minor differences.

largely equivalent

Suggests that things are equal in most significant aspects.

highly alike

Uses a more formal tone to express a strong resemblance.

closely related

Indicates a connection or similarity, often in terms of origin or characteristics.

essentially the same

Highlights that the fundamental nature remains unchanged.

virtually identical

Implies a likeness so close that the differences are negligible.

comparable

States that things are worthy of being compared, implying notable similarities.

much the same

Indicates similarity, but also admits that there might be some differences

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "closely same"?

Instead of "closely same", consider using phrases like "very similar", "nearly identical", or "almost the same" to express similarity more clearly.

Why is "closely same" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "closely same" is not standard because "closely" is an adverb that needs to modify a verb or adjective to express how something is similar. "Same" is an adjective and doesn't fit this structure.

In what contexts can I use phrases similar to "closely same"?

Phrases like "very similar" or "almost identical" can be used in various contexts, from describing physical appearances to comparing abstract concepts. Always consider your audience and the level of formality required.

How can I rephrase a sentence that includes "closely same" to make it grammatically correct?

Rewrite the sentence to use a construction like "closely resembles the same pattern" or replace the phrase with a synonym such as "closely related" or "highly alike" depending on the intended meaning.