effectively identical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "effectively identical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more things that are practically the same in function or outcome, even if there are minor differences. Example: "The two software programs are effectively identical in their performance, making it difficult to choose between them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But marketing aside, the two sweeteners are effectively identical in their biological effects.

The New York Times - Magazine

(Nowadays, especially in film, the adultery narrative is effectively identical with crime fiction — crime, confession, consequence).

The New Yorker

The researchers found that these produced scores effectively identical to those of human graders.

The New York Times

These spectra show that [hu] (Fig. 4a) and [hu I138M] (Fig. 4b) amyloids adopt effectively identical core structures for both types of conditions.

Nature

Despite their effectively identical DNA (in recent years, scientists have shown that even monozygotic twins generally have a small number of unique genetic mutations), the two men have taken contrasting courses and we want to find out why.

The Guardian - Books

Despite their effectively identical DNA (in recent years, scientists have shown that even monozygotic twins generally have a small number of unique genetic mutations), the two men have taken contrasting courses and we want to find out why.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Because of this, flies sharing the same autosomal background effectively had identical or nearly identical genomes.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

However, it was considered significant that Bernard Matthews regularly transports turkeys and turkey products between the UK and its plant in Hungary, and that the H5N1 strains previously found in Hungary, and those found at Suffolk, were effectively genetically identical.

Wikipedia

The spectrally filtered song has effectively an identical oscillogram as the overall temporal modulations in the amplitude envelope have been preserved.

European Journal of Neuroscience

The scale goes from 0 (unidirectional evolution) to 1 (rates identical, effectively a Mk1 model).

Nature

It is shown that maps learned on a given structure can generalise effectively to nominally identical structures.

Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "effectively identical", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific aspects in which the items are similar. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "effectively identical" when there are significant differences between items, even if they share some similarities. Overstating the equivalence can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "effectively identical" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It serves to describe something by indicating that it is practically the same as something else, even if there are minor differences. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "effectively identical" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe items that are practically the same, even with minor variations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's prevalent in scientific, news, and formal contexts, conveying similarity or equivalence. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the specific aspects of similarity to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases include "virtually the same", "practically indistinguishable", and "functionally equivalent". Be cautious not to overstate the equivalence if significant differences exist. Remember to choose these alternatives carefully based on the precise shade of meaning you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually the same

Indicates near-perfect similarity, with only negligible differences.

practically indistinguishable

Highlights the difficulty in discerning any meaningful difference.

functionally equivalent

Focuses on the equivalence in function or operation.

tantamount to

Suggests an equivalence in effect or value.

almost the same

Emphasizes a very high level of similarity with only minor deviations.

essentially equivalent

Highlights the fundamental equivalence despite potential superficial differences.

comparable in practice

Indicates that in real-world applications, the difference is negligible.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance or similarity in nature or quality.

much the same

Highlights a high degree of similarity in most respects.

for all practical purposes the same

Explicitly states that any differences are inconsequential in practice.

FAQs

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

You can use "effectively identical" to describe things that have the same outcome or function. For example, "The two products are "effectively identical" in terms of performance".

What's a good substitute for "effectively identical"?

Alternatives include "virtually the same", "practically indistinguishable", or "functionally equivalent", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "effectively identical" even if there are minor differences?

Yes, "effectively identical" implies that any differences are negligible or do not significantly impact the outcome or function.

What is the difference between "effectively identical" and "identical"?

"Identical" means exactly the same in every way. "Effectively identical" means that while there may be slight differences, they don't matter in practice. The phrases "virtually the same" or "practically indistinguishable" carry a very similar meaning to "effectively identical".