identical individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identical individual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing two or more individuals that are exactly the same in some aspect, such as genetics or characteristics. Example: "In the study, the researchers focused on the identical individuals to analyze the effects of the treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It has features that might be interpreted as limbs, sense organs and the like, and these features can be manipulated so that greeble families of similar but not quite identical individual greebles can be generated.

The Economist

For good measure, they are identical twins, which makes them even more important to science, for it means that Scott's biological reactions to unearthly phenomena – zero gravity or elevated levels of radiation – can, for the first time, be compared to the responses of a genetically identical individual on the ground.

The Guardian

Licences facilitate identification of otherwise identical individual units.

Crime Science

Theorem 7. E-PHXC does not exist for any identical individual binary codebooks.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Corollary 8. E-PHXC does not exist for any identical individual codebooks.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The phenotypic heterogeneity of supposedly identical individual cells has proved a confounding problem for molecular biologists.

Chemistry Central Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

However, since the site is accused of failing to verify its members' identities, it is unknown how many accounts were registered to identical individuals.

BBC

Most species form colonies of genetically identical individuals (called zooids) that arise from asexual budding.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An island-full of identical individuals could be wiped out by an infection, just as entire crops of genetically identical plants may succumb to plague and pestilence.

The Economist

Bernard Crespi, an evolutionary biologist at Simon Fraser University in Canada, said the study was the first to clearly demonstrate "the extreme of relatedness" in social microbes, a population of genetically identical individuals.

The New York Times - Science

A familiar coelenterate animal, the freshwater Hydra, usually reproduces asexually by budding, a process by which small portions of the adult structure become new, but genetically identical, individuals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about research or experiments, use "identical individual" to clearly indicate that the subjects or samples share the same characteristics, ensuring controlled conditions and accurate results.

Common error

Avoid using "identical individual" when you mean 'similar individual'. "Identical" implies an exact match, while 'similar' suggests only a resemblance. Be precise with your language to avoid misrepresenting your subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identical individual" functions primarily as a descriptive term, specifying that the individual being referenced is exactly the same as another in terms of specific characteristics. As indicated by Ludwig, it highlights the exact sameness and serves to clearly define the subject within a given context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "identical individual" is a descriptive term used to emphasize the exact sameness between two or more individuals, mainly within scientific or technical contexts. Ludwig AI analysis confirms the phrase as grammatically correct and frequently used to specify controlled conditions or standardized samples in research. While alternatives like "exact match" or "duplicate individual" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and the aspect of sameness being emphasized. Overall, understanding the nuances of "identical individual" enables more precise and effective communication, particularly in fields requiring accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genetically identical person

Highlights that the individual is an exact copy in terms of genetics.

exact match

Focuses on the precise correspondence between two individuals.

indistinguishable person

This phrase emphasizes the inability to tell the individuals apart.

duplicate individual

Highlights the fact that the individual is an exact copy.

equivalent person

Indicates a person that is equal to another in value or function.

carbon copy

Stresses an exact likeness to another.

mirror image

Emphasizes a reversed but otherwise identical likeness.

alike person

Highlights that two persons presents similarities.

twin

Implies a shared origin and high degree of similarity, often genetic.

look-alike

Implies similarity in appearance only.

FAQs

How can I use "identical individual" in a sentence?

You can use "identical individual" to describe entities that are exactly the same in relevant characteristics. For example: "The study compared the reactions of an individual to a stimulus, with the reactions of an "identical individual" under different conditions."

What are some alternatives to "identical individual"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "exact match", "duplicate individual", or "genetically identical person". The best choice depends on the specific aspect of sameness you want to emphasize.

Is it redundant to say "identical individual"?

While "individual" inherently implies uniqueness, "identical individual" is used for emphasis when comparing or contrasting distinct instances that happen to be the same in relevant traits. It's not strictly redundant, but its usefulness depends on context.

When should I use "identical individual" vs. "similar individual"?

"Identical individual" should be used when there is an exact match in the properties being considered. "Similar individual" is appropriate when there are resemblances, but not a complete match. In scientific contexts, precision is key.