fundamentally same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fundamentally same" is not correct in standard English; it should be "fundamentally the same." You can use it when discussing concepts, ideas, or items that share the same core principles or characteristics despite differences in other aspects.
Example: "While the two theories may appear different on the surface, they are fundamentally the same in their approach to understanding human behavior."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For example, risk assessment, environmental impact assessment, and health impact assessment, whether practiced by consultants, federal agencies, or academic researchers, in Europe, USA, or China, are considered as just different manifestations of the fundamentally same process of science-based policy support.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Tories are fundamentally the same people with the same elitist agenda.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Tiger's swing is fundamentally the same.

The New York Times - Sports

Were they, he wondered, fundamentally the same?

The New Yorker

The processes used are all fundamentally the same.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet the jobs they were doing were fundamentally the same.

The Guardian - Opinion

But underneath, it's fundamentally the same product.

MIT Technology Review

I view Islam, Christianity and Judaism as fundamentally the same.

The Guardian

Racists discriminate against people who are fundamentally the same.

The Guardian

The drugs work in fundamentally the same way.

The Washington Post

Moreover, the mechanisms used to arrive at metaphoric and literal interpretations are fundamentally the same.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form: "fundamentally the same". This ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

Common error

Avoid omitting the article "the" between "fundamentally" and "same". This small word is crucial for correct grammar and clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamentally same" aims to function as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a core similarity. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "fundamentally the same".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fundamentally same" is an attempt to convey that things share a basic, essential similarity. However, as Ludwig AI confirms, the correct and commonly accepted form is "fundamentally the same". This grammatical distinction is crucial for clear and professional communication. While the intended meaning is generally understood, using the grammatically correct version enhances credibility. Alternatives such as "essentially identical" or "basically the same" can be used to express similar ideas. Always ensure the inclusion of "the" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially identical

Emphasizes that the core nature is the same, with negligible differences.

basically the same

Focuses on the primary aspects being equal, though details may vary.

intrinsically similar

Highlights the inherent similarity from the core nature of the subjects.

at heart the same

Suggests that despite outward appearances, the core essence remains consistent.

fundamentally equivalent

Indicates that the essential functions or values are equal.

substantially alike

Highlights a significant degree of similarity, though not necessarily complete identity.

largely indistinguishable

Focuses on the difficulty in discerning differences between the subjects.

for the most part identical

Indicates that only minor differences exist.

in essence the same

Suggests a shared underlying nature, even with surface-level variations.

comparable in nature

Stresses that the essential qualities are similar.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "fundamentally same"?

The grammatically correct way to express this idea is "fundamentally the same". The inclusion of the article "the" is essential for proper English usage.

What does "fundamentally the same" mean?

The phrase "fundamentally the same" means that two or more things are essentially alike in their basic nature or function, despite potential superficial differences.

Can I use other phrases instead of "fundamentally the same"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "essentially identical", "basically the same", or "intrinsically similar" depending on the context.

Is there a situation where "fundamentally same" is acceptable?

While some sources may occasionally use "fundamentally same", it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Sticking to "fundamentally the same" ensures clearer and more professional communication.