is virtually indistinguishable from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is virtually indistinguishable from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two things that are so similar that they cannot be easily differentiated. Example: "The new model is virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor, making it hard to tell them apart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

One set of cremated remains is virtually indistinguishable from another.

The New York Times

A Zeus-generated game log is virtually indistinguishable from an actual game log.

The New York Times - Sports

Ford's electric Focus, for instance, is virtually indistinguishable from its gasoline-powered siblings.

The New York Times

A stretch Crown Victoria -- which is virtually indistinguishable from the current cabs from the outside -- would cost more.

The New York Times

In many respects, it is virtually indistinguishable from BP's response plan and the response plans of the other major companies.

The Guardian

The most compact machines are smaller than minivans, and their output is virtually indistinguishable from the products of traditional printing presses.

The New York Times

The new model of the iPhone, which will go on sale Oct. 14, with preorders starting Friday, is virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor on the outside.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The drawings and photographs were virtually indistinguishable from one another".

The New York Times

In look and quality the orchestra and chorus were virtually indistinguishable from high-end Western counterparts.

The New York Times - Arts

(As a Calatrava retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art reveals, his building models are virtually indistinguishable from his sculptures).

The New Yorker

Trend charts suggest that by 2050, head-worn audio and visual 3D realism will be virtually indistinguishable from real-space.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is paramount, consider specifying the aspects in which the subjects are virtually indistinguishable. For example, "The taste of the imitation vanilla is virtually indistinguishable from the real extract in baked goods."

Common error

Avoid using "is virtually indistinguishable from" when there are noticeable or significant differences. If the differences are apparent, opt for phrases like "is similar to" or "shares some characteristics with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is virtually indistinguishable from" functions as a comparative expression. It serves to equate two subjects, highlighting their extreme similarity to the point where differences are negligible. As Ludwig shows, this structure is accepted and useful in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is virtually indistinguishable from" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a very high degree of similarity between two subjects. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is accepted in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. When writing, be sure to use it when emphasizing near-perfect similarity, but avoid it if noticeable differences exist. Alternatives include "is almost identical to" or "is nearly the same as".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is almost identical to

Indicates a very high degree of similarity, but not necessarily complete identity.

is nearly the same as

Suggests a close resemblance with minor differences.

is practically the same as

Emphasizes the functional equivalence despite potential minor differences.

is substantially similar to

Highlights a significant degree of resemblance.

is effectively equivalent to

Focuses on the outcome or effect being the same.

bears a close resemblance to

Highlights the visual or superficial similarity.

is closely allied to

Indicates a strong connection or similarity in nature.

is akin to

Suggests a similarity in essence or quality.

mirrors

Implies an exact duplication or reflection.

approximates

Suggests a close but not exact match.

FAQs

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

Use "is virtually indistinguishable from" to highlight that two things are almost identical. For example, "The texture of the vegan leather is virtually indistinguishable from genuine leather".

What can I say instead of "is virtually indistinguishable from"?

You can use alternatives like "is almost identical to", "is nearly the same as", or "is practically the same as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "is virtually indistinguishable from" or "is almost indistinguishable from"?

Both "is virtually indistinguishable from" and "is almost indistinguishable from" are correct. The choice depends on the degree of similarity you want to emphasize. "Virtually" implies a slightly higher degree of similarity than "almost".

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

"Is virtually indistinguishable from" indicates a very high degree of similarity, suggesting that the differences are so minor as to be negligible. "Is similar to", on the other hand, implies a resemblance but allows for more noticeable differences.