is indistinguishable from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is indistinguishable from" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something is so similar or alike that it cannot be distinguished from something else. Example: The fake designer handbag is so well-made that it is indistinguishable from the authentic one.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is indistinguishable from craft.

The Guardian

Sandler's performance is indistinguishable from all of his other films.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The site is indistinguishable from the surrounding industrial yards.

The New York Times

It is indistinguishable from the propaganda of the victors.

The Guardian

The result is indistinguishable from a conventional steamed pudding.

The New York Times - Food

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic".

The New York Times - Books

As such, it is indistinguishable from Mr. Bush's own commercials.

The New York Times

It is indistinguishable from any other department store.

The New York Times

It states: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic".

The New York Times

Indeed loneliness – the bad sort – is indistinguishable from mild depression.

Independent

In that significant respect this case is indistinguishable from Essential Enterprises.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is indistinguishable from" to highlight situations where two things are so alike that they cannot be told apart, either physically, conceptually or functionally. For example: "The copy is indistinguishable from the original."

Common error

While "is indistinguishable from" is generally acceptable, overuse in highly formal or technical writing can make it sound less precise. In those cases, consider alternatives like "is identical to" or "is equivalent to" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is indistinguishable from" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject by asserting that it cannot be differentiated from another entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes a high degree of similarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

23%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is indistinguishable from" is a versatile phrase used to express a very high degree of similarity, essentially meaning that two or more items cannot be told apart. As Ludwig AI indicates, this expression is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. Related phrases include "is identical to" and "cannot be told apart from". Remember to avoid overuse in highly formal settings, where more precise language may be preferable. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for clearly and effectively conveying the concept of near-perfect likeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is identical to

Focuses on perfect sameness rather than lack of differentiation.

cannot be told apart from

Directly states the inability to differentiate.

is the same as

Emphasizes equivalence but may not always imply an inability to tell the difference.

is not discernable from

Emphasizes the lack of visible or perceivable difference.

is virtually the same as

Highlights a near-perfect resemblance, adding a degree of approximation.

is practically equivalent to

Stresses functional similarity and interchangeability.

bears no difference from

Highlights the absence of any differentiating features.

is substantially similar to

Indicates a significant degree of likeness, though not necessarily perfect.

is on par with

Highlights the comparative quality rather than physical appearance.

is uniform with

Highlights the consistency in appearance or quality with each other.

FAQs

How can I use "is indistinguishable from" in a sentence?

Use "is indistinguishable from" to describe items, concepts, or qualities that are so similar that they cannot be differentiated. For example, "The taste of this imitation vanilla is indistinguishable from the real extract."

What are some alternatives to "is indistinguishable from"?

You can use alternatives like "is identical to", "is the same as", or "cannot be told apart from" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is indistinguishable from"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize the extreme similarity between two things, indicating that there is no practical way to tell them apart. For instance, "On this small screen, 720p "is indistinguishable from" 1080p".

What's the difference between "is indistinguishable from" and "is similar to"?

"Is similar to" indicates a resemblance, while "is indistinguishable from" means that a difference effectively doesn't exist or cannot be detected. The latter highlights a far greater degree of likeness.