identical items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identical items" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to objects or products that are exactly the same in every aspect. Example: "The store offers a discount when you purchase two identical items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They sell mostly identical items, for mostly the same price.

The New Yorker

A basket of identical items costs 30% more in France, says a study by La Tribune, a daily.Rising fuel and food prices are worrying consumers all over Europe.

The Economist

Then, I compared them with identical items at Amazon, looking in particular for the ones among the 40,000 or so that are now available for subscription.

The New York Times

Recognising the difference between two similar but not identical items reflects a deep level of memory retention, the researchers reported in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

Independent

Once a dealer could dazzle a customer with the story behind an 1894 opium bottle; now thousands of identical items can be found online.

The New York Times

In a world where economies of scale do not matter any more, mass-manufacturing identical items may not be necessary or appropriate, especially as 3D printing allows for a great deal of customisation.

The Economist

Average or median prices aside, however, the federation charts also show that the variation of prices for identical items within the United States – even within a single city – dwarfs the cross-national variation in prices for the same item.

The New York Times

Each question set contained identical items, but the order of items was changed.

Security Informatics

In this paper, we introduce efficient descending auctions for two environments: multiple non-identical items and buyers with unit-demand valuations; and multiple identical items and buyers with non-increasing marginal values.

Games and Economic Behavior

It can compare not only identical items (a one-liter bottle of Coke), but also similar non-identical items, such one-liter bottles of mineral water from two separate brands.

TechCrunch

We study mechanisms for selling identical items when the total supply is unknown but is drawn from a known distribution.

Games and Economic Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing prices, specify that you are comparing "identical items" to ensure a fair comparison. For example, 'Check prices carefully to ensure you're comparing identical items with the same features and warranty.'

Common error

Avoid using "identical items" when you mean similar items. "Identical" implies a perfect match in every aspect, whereas "similar" allows for minor differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identical items" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As demonstrated in Ludwig, it describes items that are exactly the same in all respects. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "identical items" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, denoting objects or products that are exactly the same in every aspect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely applicable across various registers, though particularly common in scientific and news contexts. The phrase's primary function is to ensure clarity and precision, and its best practice involves using it judiciously to avoid misrepresenting similar objects as perfectly matching. Alternatives include "matching items" or "duplicate items", depending on the nuance you want to convey. Based on a comprehensive analysis of numerous examples, Ludwig provides a clear understanding of how to effectively employ "identical items" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the same items

Directly expresses that the items are not different.

matching items

Emphasizes the correspondence or similarity between items.

duplicate items

Highlights that the items are copies or replicas of each other.

indistinguishable items

Focuses on the inability to tell the items apart.

uniform items

Implies the items conform to a standard or pattern.

equivalent items

Indicates that the items have the same value or function.

alike items

A simpler way to say items that are similar or nearly identical.

corresponding items

Suggests a relationship of matching or agreement between the items.

carbon copy items

Suggests that an item is an exact copy of another item, as with a carbon copy.

twin items

Highlights that the items are like twins, being very similar or identical.

FAQs

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

You can use "identical items" to describe products that are exactly the same, such as: "The store sells "identical items" at different prices depending on the brand".

What can I say instead of "identical items"?

You can use alternatives like "matching items", "duplicate items", or "the same items" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "identical items" or "similar items"?

"Identical items" refers to things that are exactly the same. "Similar items" refers to things that have common features but are not exactly the same. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the relationship between the items.

What's the difference between "identical items" and "comparable items"?

"Identical items" are exactly the same in every aspect. "Comparable items" may have similar functions or features but are not necessarily exactly the same. "Comparable items" are often used for price comparisons when identical ones aren't available.