indistinguishable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'indistinguishable' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing two things that are very difficult or impossible to tell apart. For example: "The twins were almost indistinguishable, wearing identical outfits and hairstyles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Officers also found a top with traces of Mr Brown's DNA and and fibres found on Mr ap Rhys Pryce's overcoat were microscopically indistinguishable from the material of that top.

The Guardian

Jacob adds that if you look at early buildings by the architectural giant SOM (Skidmore, Owings and ­Merrill), they are indistinguishable from Mies; so much so, in fact, that Frank Lloyd Wright nicknamed the trio The Three Blind Mies.

The Guardian - Arts

Other studies have indicated that when homophobic abuse wasn't a factor, homosexual students are psychologically indistinguishable from heterosexual students.

The Guardian

"EDF and Centrica are now just an offshoot of Decc – they are all so in bed with each other they are indistinguishable".

The Guardian - Money

Her remarks formed part of a series of cutting attacks on the major parties, who, she said, were "virtually indistinguishable".

The Guardian

In the salad days of infatuation the high levels of dopamine (the pleasure-seeking hormone) combined with the low levels of serotonin (that helps us to feel calm and relaxed) combine to create a crafty reward system that is nearly indistinguishable from all other forms of addiction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If it turns left, it becomes indistinguishable from social democracy; if it turns right, charges of "neoliberalism" will be levelled.

The Guardian - Opinion

And by branding political Islam as extremist, he's playing on the ignorance of those for whom Muslim and Islamist are as good as indistinguishable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Put like that, such agents might seem destined to render megastores obsolete.Instead, the two retail models could eventually become indistinguishable.

The Economist

Since inflation expanded the size of the universe ten billion billion billion-fold, it had an effect that is, mathematically, almost indistinguishable from that of an infinite expansion.This inflationary expansion would, theory predicts, have generated huge quantities of gravitational waves.

The Economist

In his 1926 essay, "The Negro-Art Hokum", George Schuyler made the case that black artists were indistinguishable from their white colleagues.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indistinguishable", ensure clarity about what is being compared. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the items or concepts that share this quality.

Common error

Avoid using "indistinguishable" when describing highly subjective or abstract concepts where differences are inherently subtle and open to interpretation. For instance, saying "The two philosophies were indistinguishable" might be too strong if the differences, though subtle, significantly impact their practical application.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "indistinguishable" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that cannot be differentiated or told apart from something else. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indistinguishable" functions as an adjective denoting a lack of discernible difference between two or more entities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When writing, be precise in specifying what items are "indistinguishable" and avoid using the term for highly subjective concepts. Alternatives such as "identical" or "virtually the same" may be considered depending on the desired nuance. The frequency of use is very common, indicating its widespread acceptance and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identical

Emphasizes that two things are exactly the same, without any difference.

cannot be differentiated

Highlights the inability to tell the difference between two things.

virtually the same

Indicates that two things are almost the same, with negligible differences.

for all intents and purposes the same

Suggests that while there might be technical differences, they are practically equivalent.

impossible to tell apart

Focuses on the difficulty in distinguishing between two items.

equal

Implies that two things have the same value or quality.

alike

Indicates a similarity between two things, though not necessarily a complete match.

mirror images

Suggests that two things are exactly the same but reversed, like a reflection.

of a kind

Implies similarity in nature or character.

cut from the same cloth

Indicates that two things or people share similar qualities or origins.

FAQs

How can I use "indistinguishable" in a sentence?

You can use "indistinguishable" to describe things that are so similar that they cannot be told apart. For example, "The two brands of soda were "indistinguishable in taste"".

What's a good alternative to "indistinguishable"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "identical", "alike", or "virtually the same" as alternatives to "indistinguishable".

When is it appropriate to use "indistinguishable"?

It's appropriate when describing items or qualities that are so similar that they lack any meaningful difference. This term is often used in scientific, analytical, or comparative contexts.

Is there a subtle difference between "indistinguishable" and "undifferentiated"?

"Indistinguishable" emphasizes the inability to tell things apart due to similarity, while "undifferentiated" highlights a lack of distinct characteristics or features that would allow for differentiation. "Undifferentiated" is often used in developmental or evolutionary contexts.