is the same as doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is the same as doing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two actions or concepts, indicating that they are equivalent in some way. Example: "In many cases, saying nothing is the same as doing nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Displays this help file (it is the same as doing "ahelp ahelp").

Harvard University

Nothing is the same as doing the experiment and finding new knowledge for the rest of the world.

Stanford University

Or that shooting someone dead in a film is the same as doing so in real life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, postal regulations already prohibit sending hazardous materials, so in both this and the matter of junk mail, adhering to department policy is the same as doing the right thing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Don't tell me that testing for three days on your own at the Catalunya circuit is the same as doing so with nine other teams at Silverstone with a host of young hopefuls at the wheel.

The Guardian - Sport

In essence, this is the same as doing basic algebra.

Johns Hopkins University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The first one is the same as done by Goel [6] while the second and third are the convolution and subordination techniques.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

It's the same as doing a summer Vogue cover: it has to say summer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"What they overlook is that if you do that repeatedly — if you do it 24 times — it's the same as doing it a total of 24 hours," Dr. Krantz says.

The New York Times

"For a performer, in a way, it's the same as doing any Shakespeare play.

BBC

"The advantages [of partnering with the PLA] might be the same as doing business with the mob," counsels a knowledgeable China-watcher.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is the same as doing", ensure the comparison is logically sound and the actions truly have equivalent outcomes or implications. This phrase can be effective for simplifying complex concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "is the same as doing" when the actions are only superficially similar. Ensure that the comparison holds true in all relevant aspects to maintain clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is the same as doing" functions as a predicate complement, linking a subject to an action that is deemed equivalent. As Ludwig shows, it's used to establish equivalence between actions or states, often simplifying complex concepts or drawing parallels.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is the same as doing" is a useful construct for equating actions or situations, emphasizing their functional equivalence. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears across various contexts, from academic writing to news articles. While versatile, it's important to ensure the comparison is logically sound and the actions truly share a similar outcome. Alternatives like "is equivalent to doing" or "amounts to doing" can provide nuanced variations, but the core purpose remains: to draw a clear comparison between two seemingly different things.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is equivalent to doing

Replaces "the same as" with "equivalent to", emphasizing functional similarity.

is tantamount to doing

Uses "tantamount to" to suggest the actions are virtually identical in effect or consequence.

is akin to doing

Substitutes "the same as" with "akin to", indicating a resemblance or similarity.

amounts to doing

Focuses on the end result being equivalent, using "amounts to" to show consequence.

is just like doing

Uses a more informal "just like" to convey similarity in action.

is effectively doing

Highlights that the action has the same effect as explicitly doing something.

is no different than doing

Emphasizes the lack of distinction between the two actions.

is indistinguishable from doing

Uses stronger language to show the two actions cannot be told apart.

mirrors doing

Suggests a direct parallel between the two actions, like a reflection.

replicates doing

Indicates one action creates a copy or duplicate of the effect of the other.

FAQs

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

Use "is the same as doing" to equate one action or situation to another. For example, "In some contexts, saying nothing "is the same as doing" nothing at all."

What are some alternatives to saying "is the same as doing"?

You can use alternatives such as "is equivalent to doing", "is tantamount to doing", or "amounts to doing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to use "is the same as doing"?

Not always. The accuracy depends on the context and whether the two actions being compared genuinely have equivalent outcomes or implications. Be sure the comparison is logically sound. Otherwise, "is similar to doing" would be a better fit.

What's the difference between "is the same as doing" and "is similar to doing"?

"Is the same as doing" implies a complete equivalence, while ""is similar to doing"" suggests a resemblance but not necessarily a full equivalence. The choice depends on the degree of similarity you want to emphasize.