exactly the same question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly the same question" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that a question is identical to one previously mentioned or asked. Example: - Yesterday, my boss asked me if I had finished my report yet. - Today, he asked me exactly the same question. - It seems like he doesn't remember asking me before.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

I was asked exactly the same question.

The New York Times - Magazine

Second, the poll applied exactly the same question wording in both 2010 and 2013, making a direct comparison more reliable.

The New York Times

He tells me that, at gatherings of his editors and translators, "I would ask exactly the same question.

The Guardian - Books

"We faced exactly the same question after Katrina," said John Campbell, an expert on aging at the University of Michigan and visiting scholar at the University of Tokyo.

The New York Times

Exactly the same question the committee members were undoubtedly asking, although on Wednesday they were too busy holding a hearing on nuclear cooperation with the United Arab Emirates to have much comment.

The New York Times

He told me that the folks at Defra had asked exactly the same question and have now commissioned him and his colleagues to look into the issue in more depth – to make sure it's not a quirk of accounting or some other bug in the data.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Now we face exactly the same questions, with no good answers for them.

The Guardian - Tech

Those were exactly the same questions, almost word for word, that Tony Blair faced over Iraq in 2003.

The Guardian - Opinion

A week later it was time to play, and - lo and behold - the coppers asked exactly the same questions in exactly the same order as they had the week before.

The Guardian - Sport

How old is she?" – coincidentally, and with distressing predictability, exactly the same questions the average fortysomething cheaty male would ask before embarking on an affair.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This seemed to me then, and still does, to connect directly to Pinter, who poses exactly the same questions: whether power is an integral part of sex and whether infidelity, real or imagined, is the best way of sustaining marriage.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly the same question" when you want to emphasize that a question is identical to one asked previously, often to highlight repetition or a lack of progress.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly the same question" when the questions are similar but not identical. Use phrases like "a similar question" or "a related question" instead to indicate a resemblance rather than a perfect match.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly the same question" functions as a noun phrase acting as an object or complement within a sentence. It serves to identify a specific question that is identical to a previous one, emphasizing the repetition or lack of variation. Ludwig examples showcase its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exactly the same question" is grammatically correct and commonly used to emphasize the identical nature of an inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. It functions as a noun phrase, serving to highlight repetition or a lack of variation. When using this phrase, ensure that the questions are truly identical to avoid misinterpretation. While "exactly the same question" is generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "precisely the same inquiry" exist for elevated formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely the same inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry" and "exactly" with "precisely", emphasizing the identical nature of the query.

identically the same question

Substitutes "exactly" with "identically", reinforcing the idea of sameness.

the very same question

Replaces "exactly" with "very", adding emphasis to the identical nature of the question.

the selfsame question

Uses "selfsame" for a slightly more formal or emphatic tone, highlighting the identity of the question.

the spitting image of a question

Employs an idiomatic expression to convey that the question is a direct duplicate of another.

a carbon copy question

Uses the term "carbon copy" to illustrate that the question is a direct replica.

the duplicate question

Replaces the descriptive phrase with a noun emphasizing replication.

the repeated question

Focuses on the act of repetition rather than exact duplication, subtly shifting the emphasis.

an analogous question

Indicates similarity and resemblance rather than exact duplication.

a parallel question

Indicates a question that runs alongside another in nature.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "exactly the same question" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "precisely the same inquiry", "identically the same question", or "the selfsame question". Each offers a slightly elevated level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "exactly the same question"?

While "same question" implies identity, using "exactly the same question" emphasizes the complete and unquestionable duplication. It's not always redundant, as it can serve to highlight repetition or a point of concern.

What's the difference between "exactly the same question" and "a similar question"?

"Exactly the same question" indicates that the questions are identical in wording and intent. "A similar question", on the other hand, suggests that the questions share some common elements but are not completely identical. Use "similar question" when the questions aren't 100% the same.

How to use "exactly the same question" in a sentence?

You can use it to emphasize repetition: "He asked me about my progress yesterday, and today he asked me "exactly the same question"." Or to express frustration: "Why does everyone keep asking me "exactly the same question"?"