exactly the same as

USAGE SUMMARY

"exactly the same as" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to compare two things that are closely alike. For example: "This recipe is exactly the same as the one my grandmother used to make."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I feel exactly the same as you".

The New York Times

This is exactly the same as before.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Exactly the same as the Kindle.

The Guardian - Tech

It's exactly the same as flying".

The Guardian

That's exactly the same as Barack Obama.

The Guardian

That's exactly the same as most presidents".

The Guardian

It's exactly the same as the shoes".

The New Yorker

They're exactly the same as the left hand side.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The problems are exactly the same as they always were.

The New Yorker

MotoGP 15 is, unfortunately, almost exactly the same as 14.

Independent

It's about being exactly the same as everyone else".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exactly the same as", ensure both subjects of comparison are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly the same as" when the items being compared are not clearly defined or understood. This can lead to confusion and weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly the same as" functions as a predicate adjective phrase expressing equivalence. It connects two nouns or noun phrases, asserting that they share identical qualities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a standard English construct. Ludwig's examples show this in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exactly the same as" is a versatile phrase to express equivalence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and its prevalent use across diverse contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and academic domains. The phrase asserts a strong connection, leaving minimal room for perceived distinctions. When using this phrase, ensure clarity of references to avoid any ambiguity. While alternatives like "identical to" or "equivalent to" exist, "exactly the same as" offers a direct and emphatic expression of similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely equivalent to

Emphasizes the precise nature of the equivalence.

identical to

Highlights the indistinguishable nature of the comparison.

equivalent to

This alternative is shorter.

duplicates of

Highlights the identical nature of something.

completely alike

Focuses on the overall similarity without specifying precision.

a carbon copy of

Emphasizes the exactness of the replication or similarity.

virtually indistinguishable from

Suggests a near-perfect similarity, allowing for minor differences.

the spitting image of

Used to describe the exact similarity in looks.

for all intents and purposes, the same as

Acknowledges possible minor differences, but asserts practical equivalence.

tantamount to

Indicates that the two things are equal in effect or value.

FAQs

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

Use "exactly the same as" to indicate that two things are completely alike. For example, "This car model is "exactly the same as" the previous year's version".

What can I say instead of "exactly the same as"?

You can use alternatives like "identical to", "precisely equivalent to", or "completely alike" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "exactly the same as" or "the same as"?

"Exactly the same as" emphasizes the complete lack of difference, while "the same as" simply indicates similarity. Both are grammatically correct, but "exactly the same as" provides a stronger assertion of equivalence.

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

"Exactly the same as" means there are no differences, while "virtually the same as" implies only minor, insignificant differences exist.