identical

USAGE SUMMARY

'identical' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe two or more things that are exactly alike. For example: "My twin brother and I look almost identical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others are exploring ways to create products identical to those we currently eat, but without the environmental concerns.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When the ads created by Sterling Cooper are for real products, they're often similar, but not identical to the actual commercials of the time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Miliband's stance has the additional benefit of almost identical to that of Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, so at least giving both parties some mutual political cover.

The Guardian

AOn Wednesday, colleagues of Daly will present a substantially identical resolution on greenhouse gas emissions at a shareholder meeting convened by fellow oil company Chevron.

The Guardian - Business

Traits that correlated more closely in non-identical twins compared with identical twins indicated a greater influence of environmental factors.

The Guardian

For those who looked closely at the SNP and Scottish Labour manifestos, however, beyond Trident the pledges and philosophy therein appeared virtually identical, Sturgeon having belatedly followed Labour's lead (rather than the other way round) on a mansion tax, bankers' bonus and abolition of non-dom status.

The Guardian

In Ive's view, people are "OK to a degree" with carrying an identical smartphone to millions of other people, but a watch needs to be more unique".

The Guardian - Tech

Wherever you go the retreat has an identical structure and discipline: 10 days of silence, meditating from 4am to 9pm, with short breaks for meals and rest.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In contrast, the killer is wearing a black outfit identical to that worn by the killer in both the Sotloff and Foley videos.

The Guardian

Unfortunately both Labour (and the Conservatives before them) have presided over thousands of pubs closing their doors - almost identical numbers, in fact.

The Guardian

The latest judgment said: "The court concluded that there had been a violation of article 3 of protocol No 1 because the case was identical to other prisoner voting cases in which a breach of the right to vote had been found and the relevant legislation had not yet been amended".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "identical", ensure that the comparison is truly exact and not merely similar. Avoid using it when describing things that are only closely related but not precisely the same.

Common error

Avoid using "identical" when "similar" or "comparable" would be more accurate. Overstating the sameness can weaken your argument and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The word "identical" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are exactly the same. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable term in written English. For instance, in a sentence like "The two cars are identical", it describes the cars' state of being alike.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "identical" is a versatile adjective used to denote exact sameness or equivalence. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely used in written English. Its high frequency across various domains, especially news and media, underscores its importance in conveying precision. Related phrases like "exactly the same" or "indistinguishable" can offer stylistic variations. When employing "identical", ensure a comparison is truly precise to avoid potential misinterpretations. With its frequent use and well-defined meaning, mastering "identical" can improve clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exactly the same

Emphasizes the complete and precise equivalence between two or more things.

indistinguishable

Focuses on the inability to perceive any difference between items.

completely alike

Highlights the overall similarity without focusing on specific details.

precisely equivalent

Stresses the exact matching in value or measure.

mirror image

Suggests a reflected likeness, like that seen in a mirror.

carbon copy

Implies an exact duplicate, often used metaphorically.

duplicate

Simply states that something is a copy or replica.

of one kind

Implies that the items are all the same type of thing with no differences.

homologous

Used in scientific contexts to describe structures with a shared ancestry or composition.

interchangeable

Highlights the ability to use one item in place of another without any difference in outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "identical" in a sentence?

Use "identical" to describe things that are exactly the same. For example, "The two fingerprints were "exactly the same"" or "The twins wore "completely alike" outfits."

What's the difference between "identical" and "similar"?

"Identical" means exactly the same, with no differences, while "similar" means having some likeness but not being the same. Use "identical" when there is complete equivalence, and "similar" when there are only partial resemblances.

Which is correct: "identical to" or "identical with"?

"Identical to" is the more common and preferred usage. While "identical with" is not incorrect, it is less frequently used in modern English.

What can I say instead of "identical"?

You can use alternatives like "exactly the same", "indistinguishable", or "completely alike", depending on the context.