essentially the same as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'essentially the same as' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase can be used to compare two similar objects or ideas, to indicate that they are generally similar in certain characteristics despite minor distinctions. For example, "The goals of the two companies were essentially the same, but each had a different approach to achieving them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's essentially the same as the others.

The New Yorker

"Chemically it's essentially the same as sugar.

The New York Times

This is essentially the same as the SIGGRAPH 2001b paper.

Stanford University

This respondent's factual case is essentially the same as Bannercraft's.

Cornell University

Essentially the same as the SIGGRAPH 2002 paper.

Stanford University

The rules are essentially the same as real golf.

The Guardian - Sport

In this case, revenue is essentially the same as profit.

Harvard Business Review

Its weathering is essentially the same as that of muscovite.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Removing it is essentially the same as deconvolving with the Poisson (or Gaussian) distribution.

Harvard University

We view the second clause of the oath as essentially the same as the first.

Cornell University

The ion-induced luminescence was essentially the same as the luminescence under UV photon irradiation.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essentially the same as" to highlight the core similarities between two items while acknowledging minor differences. This helps to provide a balanced and nuanced comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "essentially the same as" when there are significant differences. Be sure the similarities genuinely outweigh the distinctions to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially the same as" functions as a comparative connector, highlighting similarities between two subjects. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

27%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essentially the same as" is a versatile comparative connector suitable for various contexts, from formal academic writing to news articles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and effective for highlighting similarities while acknowledging minor differences. When writing, ensure that the similarities truly outweigh the differences to maintain credibility. Consider alternatives like "virtually identical to" or "substantially similar to" for nuanced comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually identical to

Emphasizes a near-perfect match with minimal differences.

practically equivalent to

Highlights that, for all practical purposes, the two things are equal.

almost the same as

Indicates a very slight deviation but maintains overall similarity.

substantially similar to

Suggests a significant degree of resemblance, though not complete identity.

largely analogous to

Implies a strong parallel in key aspects or features.

comparable to

Indicates that two things can be fairly compared because they share significant qualities.

tantamount to

Suggests that two things are equal in effect or value, even if different in appearance.

roughly equivalent to

Indicates an approximate level of sameness or value.

much like

This alternative is more casual and less formal.

akin to

This alternative suggests a similarity in spirit, character, or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "essentially the same as" in a sentence?

Use "essentially the same as" to indicate that two things are very similar in nature or function, despite some minor differences. For example, "The new model is "essentially the same as" the previous one, with only a few cosmetic changes."

What are some alternatives to "essentially the same as"?

Some alternatives include "virtually identical to", "practically equivalent to", or "substantially similar to". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "essentially the same as" in formal writing?

Yes, "essentially the same as" is suitable for formal writing, as it accurately conveys a nuanced comparison. However, ensure that the context and the degree of similarity warrant its use.

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

"Essentially the same as" implies minor differences exist, while "exactly the same as" implies no differences whatsoever. Use "essentially the same as" when there are slight variations that do not affect the overall comparison.