hardly distinguishable from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly distinguishable from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two things that are very similar or nearly identical, making it difficult to tell them apart. Example: "The two paintings were hardly distinguishable from each other, both featuring the same color palette and style."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The wig is hardly distinguishable from her own red hair, however, and her clothing is fashionable.

The New York Times

The Japanese silk paintings and screens of idealized landscapes were hardly distinguishable from their Chinese counterparts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In other words, Dean's "pro-gun" position is hardly distinguishable from the agenda of most liberal groups.

The New York Times - Magazine

Baptist worship is hardly distinguishable from the worship of the older Puritan denominations (Presbyterians and Congregationalists) of England and the United States.

Britannica

The dolls in Elisabeth Condon's deceptively decorative paintings are hardly distinguishable from the children she depicts, blurring the distinction between reality and fantasy.

The New York Times

He thought Hitler's seizure of Prague was "hardly distinguishable from war", but his comments on it in the Lords favoured the swastika.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

At one extreme, hardly any weight is given to priority as it competes with maximizing well-being, and the prioritarian doctrine is then barely distinguishable from straight act utilitarianism with utility identified with well-being.

SEP

At the other extreme, hardly any weight is given to maximizing well-being as it competes with priority, and the prioritarian doctrine is then barely distinguishable from the maximin principle with well-being as the maximand.

SEP

This Sunday, they were scarcely distinguishable from another.

The New Yorker

None of these are beautiful artifacts; most, in fact, are barely distinguishable from bound typescripts.

The New Yorker

The figures of Adam and Eve are distant and barely distinguishable from the wilderness beyond them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly distinguishable from" to emphasize a striking similarity where differences are minimal or insignificant. This is useful when contrasting two subjects that might be expected to have notable variations.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly distinguishable from" when there are clear and obvious differences between the subjects. Ensure the comparison is genuinely close to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly distinguishable from" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a very high degree of similarity or near identity. Ludwig examples confirm its use in assessing likeness between distinct entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly distinguishable from" effectively conveys a strong similarity, indicating that differences are minimal. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly science, news, and encyclopedic writing. While versatile, it's important to ensure the subjects truly share striking similarities to maintain accuracy. Alternatives like "almost identical to" and "nearly the same as" can offer nuanced emphasis. With its frequent usage and clear meaning, "hardly distinguishable from" remains a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical to

Emphasizes the near perfect similarity between two things.

nearly the same as

Focuses on the lack of significant difference.

virtually indistinguishable from

Highlights the practical impossibility of telling them apart.

scarcely different than

Indicates a very small degree of dissimilarity.

barely perceptible from

Focuses on the minimal difference in perception.

not easily differentiated from

Stresses the difficulty in distinguishing between them.

cannot be told apart from

Emphasizes the inability to discern a difference.

for all intents and purposes the same as

Highlights that any differences are inconsequential.

tantamount to

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

closely resembles

Focuses on the similarities in appearance or nature.

FAQs

How can I use "hardly distinguishable from" in a sentence?

Use "hardly distinguishable from" to describe two things that are so similar that it's difficult to tell them apart. For instance, "The twins were so alike, their personalities were "hardly distinguishable from" one another."

What are some alternatives to "hardly distinguishable from"?

You can use alternatives like "almost identical to", "nearly the same as", or "virtually indistinguishable from" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "hardly distinguishable from" in formal writing?

Yes, "hardly distinguishable from" is appropriate for formal writing. It's frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts to denote a strong similarity between subjects, as shown by examples in Ludwig.

What's the difference between "hardly distinguishable from" and "slightly different from"?

"Hardly distinguishable from" indicates a high degree of similarity where differences are minimal and difficult to perceive. "Slightly different from" implies that there are noticeable, albeit small, differences. Therefore, you would use "hardly distinguishable from" when the subjects appear nearly identical and "slightly different from" when there are clear, but minor, variations.