essentially same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essentially same" is not correct in standard written English; it should be "essentially the same." You can use it when you want to indicate that two or more things are fundamentally similar despite some differences.
Example: "While the two proposals differ in details, they are essentially the same in their overall objectives."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The ductility of 350WT steel from monotonic tensile tests is essentially same at room and low temperatures (−40 °C).

Construction and Building Materials

Further, it has been shown that the sequence of phase transformations (γ-Nb2C → β-Nb2C → α-Nb2C) involves ordering of vacancies whereas the basic lattice in all these three structures remains essentially same.

Acta Materialia

Two models yield the essentially same results for the weak nonlinearity, the small axial speed and the low mode, while the difference between two models increases with the nonlinear term, the axial speed, and the order of mode.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

This short pitch was observed at comonomer concentrations as low as 10 mol%, and the lattice remains otherwise essentially same as that of N6 up to about 30 mol% AMCC.

Polymer

Case (iii) (w_1in W, w_2in E_j^*): This is essentially same as case (ii).

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

This implies that the basic structure of the nanoparticles is essentially same as that of the bulk material.

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"I have been open and consistent in my opposition to same-sex marriage, and find that House Bill 444 is essentially same-sex marriage by another name," the governor, a Republican, said.

The New York Times

Otherwise, they are essentially the same pitcher.

The New York Times - Sports

But the policy is essentially the same.

The Economist

But it is essentially the same deal.

The Economist

The situation this year is essentially the same.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical correctness, always use the phrase "essentially the same" to ensure clarity and adherence to standard English.

Common error

Avoid omitting the word 'the' in the phrase. The correct phrase is "essentially the same", as "essentially same" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially same" functions as a descriptive modifier, aiming to convey a high degree of similarity or equivalence between two or more entities. However, it is grammatically incorrect, lacking the definite article "the". Ludwig shows that the correct form is "essentially the same".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essentially same" is commonly used to express a high degree of similarity, especially in scientific and news contexts. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "essentially the same." While often used to highlight fundamental likeness, it's crucial to include "the" to adhere to standard English grammar. Alternatives like "virtually identical" and "practically the same" can be used to convey a similar meaning while ensuring grammatical correctness. Remember to always use "essentially the same" to guarantee clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually identical

Emphasizes near-perfect similarity with only minor differences.

practically the same

Highlights that the differences are negligible in practical terms.

almost identical

Indicates a very high degree of similarity but acknowledges some minor discrepancies.

basically equivalent

Focuses on the functional equivalence of the items being compared.

largely similar

Suggests that the items share most of their characteristics.

broadly comparable

Implies that the items can be compared on a general level, despite some differences.

more or less the same

Indicates an approximate similarity, allowing for slight variations.

roughly equivalent

Suggests a general equivalence without requiring precise matching.

substantially alike

Emphasizes significant similarities, though not necessarily perfect ones.

closely related

Focuses on the connection or relationship between the items, implying shared characteristics.

FAQs

How to use "essentially the same" in a sentence?

Use "essentially the same" to describe things that are alike in their fundamental nature, even if there are minor differences. For example, "Although the two models have different interfaces, they are "essentially the same" in terms of functionality".

What's the difference between "essentially the same" and "exactly the same"?

"Essentially the same" implies that things are alike in their core aspects, while "exactly the same" means there are no differences whatsoever. "Essentially the same" allows for minor variations, while "exactly the same" does not.

What can I say instead of "essentially the same"?

You can use alternatives like "virtually identical", "practically the same", or "almost identical" depending on the degree of similarity you want to express.

Which is correct, "essentially same" or "essentially the same"?

"Essentially the same" is the grammatically correct phrase in standard English. "Essentially same" is considered incorrect.