hardly the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly the same" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two things are not similar or equivalent in a significant way. Example: "While both movies feature a similar theme, they are hardly the same in terms of execution and style."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hardly the same thing.

The Economist

Hardly the same.

The Guardian - Film

But, it is hardly the same.

The Guardian - Sport

That is hardly the same thing as political reform.

The Economist

Unsupervised and hidden are hardly the same thing.

The New Yorker

But that's hardly the same as doing more with less in making an airplane".

The New Yorker

Living alone and being alone are hardly the same, yet the two are routinely conflated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They have only "presidential sovereignty" — hardly the same thing, and hardly worth defending.

The New York Times - Books

Havel allowed that he felt "strangely paralyzed, empty inside," fearful that dissent and governing were hardly the same.

The New Yorker

But Murray, still overly prone to dark thoughts, was hardly the same steady flame that Djokovic has been this season.

The New York Times - Sports

In losing three times this year, she was hardly the same filly who thrilled horseplayers and horse lovers in 2009.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly the same" to clearly distinguish between two things that might be superficially similar but differ in important aspects. This prevents confusion and ensures precise communication.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly the same" when the differences are minor or insignificant. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound overly dramatic or misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly the same" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun by emphasizing the significant differences between two things that might appear similar. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hardly the same" is a versatile comparative expression used to emphasize significant differences between two subjects. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, it frequently appears in news and media, as well as scientific writing, to ensure clarity and precision. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's essential to use it judiciously, avoiding overstatement in cases of minor differences. Remember that alternatives such as "significantly different" or "not quite equivalent" may be more appropriate depending on the degree of dissimilarity you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of a different nature

Focuses on a fundamental difference in kind.

not quite equivalent

Suggests a lack of full equivalence.

not on the same level

Highlights a difference in quality or status.

distinctly dissimilar

Points to a clear and obvious difference.

significantly different

Highlights a notable degree of dissimilarity.

far from being alike

Emphasizes the distance between the two things being compared.

not at all identical

Emphasizes a complete lack of identity.

not remotely comparable

Highlights a very low degree of comparability.

bears little resemblance

Indicates a minimal similarity.

worlds apart

Implies a vast difference or separation.

FAQs

How can I use "hardly the same" in a sentence?

Use "hardly the same" to emphasize the differences between two items or concepts, suggesting that they are not as similar as one might think. For example, "While both cars are SUVs, they are "hardly the same" in terms of fuel efficiency and features."

What are some alternatives to "hardly the same"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly different", "not quite equivalent", or "distinctly dissimilar" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "hardly the same" or "not the same"?

"Hardly the same" implies a greater degree of difference than "not the same". Use "hardly the same" when you want to strongly emphasize the dissimilarity.

What's the difference between "almost the same" and "hardly the same"?

"Almost the same" suggests a high degree of similarity, while ""hardly the same"" indicates that, despite any superficial similarities, the two things being compared are fundamentally different.