is practically the same as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is practically the same as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that two things are very similar or nearly identical in nature or function. Example: "In terms of functionality, this new software is practically the same as the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Ms. Stewart's friends say that her current social activity is practically the same as it always was.

The New York Times

For a hilltop museum with no public parking nearby and in a city with limited public transportation, the parking increase is practically the same as an admission fee.

The New York Times - Arts

"We sell larger amounts from the middle market, even though our market share is practically the same as the United States," he said, explaining that the New York location sold fewer but more expensive items.

The New York Times - Arts

The absolutists of the old left imagined that victory would, when it came, be total and permanent, which is practically the same as saying that victory was and is impossible and will never come.

The Guardian - Books

Some projections have equal-area properties, while others provide for conformal delineations in which, for small areas, the shape is practically the same as it would be on a globe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

UTC is practically the same as GMT — so you can work out the time the leap second will happen according to how many hours behind or ahead of that you are.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The Virgin's facial features were practically the same as Jesus's.

The New York Times - Arts

Another considered this and replied, "He is a Protestant, he says it's practically the same as Wahhabi — let him be".

The New Yorker

"Really, during the Zhou dynasty we were practically the same as ancient Rome or Egypt!" His wife peered toward the dining room.

The New Yorker

To listen to some pundits, you'd think that ad was practically the same as the famous G.O.P. ad accusing Max Cleland of being weak on national security.

The New York Times

He also pointed out that the cost of construction there worked out to be practically the same as it would have been in Malaysia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is practically the same as" to highlight that differences are negligible in a specific context. For example, "For everyday use, this cheaper model is practically the same as the high-end version."

Common error

Avoid using "is practically the same as" when there are significant differences. Always consider if the distinction matters in your specific context; otherwise, use a phrase like "is similar to" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is practically the same as" functions as a comparative expression. It indicates that two or more things are very similar and that any differences between them are not significant or relevant in a particular context. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is practically the same as" is a useful comparative expression used to denote a high degree of similarity, where any differences are negligible in the given context. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various writing styles. Its frequency is classified as common, and it appears most often in scientific and news-related content. While the phrase is generally acceptable, being precise about the context and whether the differences truly are insignificant is essential. For more formal writing, alternatives like "is virtually identical to" might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is virtually identical to

Replaces 'practically' with 'virtually', emphasizing the high degree of similarity.

is almost equivalent to

Substitutes 'practically the same' with 'almost equivalent', focusing on functional similarity.

is essentially the same as

Uses 'essentially' instead of 'practically', highlighting the core similarity.

is nearly identical to

Emphasizes the closeness of the match using 'nearly' in place of 'practically'.

is for all intents and purposes the same as

Adds a legalistic tone, suggesting that any differences are inconsequential in practice.

is much like

Simplifies the comparison, indicating a strong resemblance but potentially less exactness.

bears a close resemblance to

Highlights the similarity in appearance or characteristics.

is roughly equivalent to

Indicates approximate equivalence, allowing for some degree of variation.

is akin to

Suggests a similarity in spirit or nature, often used in more formal contexts.

is comparable to

Indicates that the items can be compared because they share key characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "is practically the same as" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to indicate that two things are so similar that their differences are negligible for a given purpose. Example: "For basic image editing, this free software "is practically the same as" the paid version".

What are some alternatives to "is practically the same as"?

Alternatives include "is virtually identical to", "is almost equivalent to", or "is essentially the same as", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is practically the same as" versus "is similar to"?

"Is practically the same as" suggests a very high degree of similarity where differences are unimportant, while "is similar to" indicates a general resemblance without implying near equivalence. Use "is practically the same as" only when differences truly don't matter in context.

Is "is practically the same as" a formal or informal expression?

It's a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or scientific writing, you might prefer more precise language like "is virtually identical to" or "is almost equivalent to" for increased accuracy.