identical to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identical to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more things are exactly the same in every way. Example: "The results of the experiment were found to be identical to those of the previous study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Identical to Merriam.003.001.

University of California, Berkeley

Identical to No. 3353.

Yale University

Engine virtually identical to the Citroën's.

Independent

His present looked nearly identical to mine.

The New York Times

"The Marseglia case is identical to Ribatti's".

The New Yorker

"It was identical to that".

The New York Times

It's identical to global trade.

The New York Times

Appearance: Almost identical to Facebook.

The Guardian

All privileges (admcil); identical to "*".

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It was identical to my idea.

The Guardian - Film

Their DNA is 99% identical to ours.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "identical to" when you want to emphasize a complete and exact match between two or more things. It leaves no room for interpretation regarding their similarity.

Common error

Avoid using "identical to" when a simpler word like "similar" or "same" will suffice. Save it for situations where you need to convey a precise, absolute equivalence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identical to" functions as a prepositional phrase that indicates equivalence or complete sameness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to highlight that two things are exactly the same.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "identical to" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to express that two or more things are exactly the same. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is acceptable for use in written English. This phrase appears frequently in scientific, news media, and academic contexts, indicating its versatility across various domains. While alternatives like "the same as" or "equivalent to" exist, "identical to" is best reserved for situations requiring an emphasis on complete and exact sameness. When aiming for clear and precise communication, particularly in formal writing, understanding the nuances of "identical to" ensures accurate and effective expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the same as

Emphasizes the lack of difference in nature or quality.

equivalent to

Highlights functional or quantitative equality, often in technical contexts.

equal to

Focuses on precise correspondence in amount, number, or value.

indistinguishable from

Highlights the inability to tell the difference between two things.

a carbon copy of

Implies an exact reproduction or imitation.

a dead ringer for

Suggests a strong resemblance, often in appearance.

virtually the same as

Indicates a close but not necessarily perfect similarity.

closely resembles

Suggests a significant degree of similarity in specific aspects.

bears a strong resemblance to

Emphasizes the noticeable similarity in appearance or characteristics.

mirrors

Implies an exact reflection or close correspondence in structure or function.

FAQs

What does "identical to" mean?

The expression "identical to" means exactly the same as, without any difference. It indicates a complete match in all aspects.

When should I use "identical to" instead of "similar to"?

Use "identical to" when there is no discernible difference between the items being compared. Use "similar to" when there are only minor differences.

What are some alternatives to "identical to"?

Some alternatives include "the same as", "equivalent to", or "indistinguishable from", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always grammatically correct to use "identical to"?

Yes, "identical to" is grammatically correct. However, ensure that the comparison is accurate and that the subjects being compared are truly without any differences. Otherwise, using a phrase like "similar to" may be more appropriate.