just about the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just about the same" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two things are nearly identical or very similar in nature or quality. Example: "The two proposals are just about the same in terms of cost and benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Every day, just about the same thing".

The New York Times

The rate is just about the same today.

The New York Times

trained men, so they follow just about the same system.

The New Yorker

"Just about the same age as Ronald Reagan," he said.

The Guardian

Shares of MetLife are hovering at just about the same price he paid in March.

The New York Times

To the untrained eye the "after" pictures look just about the same as the "before" ones.

The New Yorker

Other than visual upgrades, the content looks just about the same.

The New Yorker

By contrast China's leaders were, at just about the same time, beginning to loosen their grip.

The Economist

He was just about the same age as Copaken's grandson Jacob.

The New Yorker

At just about the same time, Anne gave birth to a daughter.

The New Yorker

"They are so opposite, but their outcome and scores are just about the same".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "just about the same" with a specific reference point or unit of measurement to quantify the similarity, such as "just about the same size" or "just about the same price".

Common error

Avoid using "just about the same" when there are significant differences between the items being compared. Overstating the similarity can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just about the same" functions as a qualifier, indicating an approximate equivalence. Ludwig shows it is frequently used to describe things that are very similar but not perfectly identical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just about the same" is a versatile expression used to indicate near equivalence. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, especially in news and media. It serves as a qualifier, softening claims of perfect similarity. For enhanced clarity, it's best practice to provide specific points of reference when using this phrase. While generally acceptable, opting for more formal alternatives like "substantially similar" may be preferable in highly formal contexts. Be mindful not to overstate the similarity and consider the context to ensure the most appropriate expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly identical

Emphasizes the close similarity, almost to the point of being indistinguishable.

almost equal

Highlights that the difference is minimal, focusing on the quantitative aspect.

virtually the same

Indicates the similarity is so close that any difference is insignificant in practice.

practically equivalent

Suggests the effect or result is the same, even if the underlying details differ.

more or less identical

Acknowledges a slight possibility of difference, but stresses a high degree of similarity.

roughly equivalent

Conveys an approximate equality, allowing for some margin of variation.

substantially similar

Highlights that the key aspects are alike, even if there are minor differences.

comparable

Points out that the items are alike and can be compared side by side.

much alike

Indicates the items share significant similarities, often used in informal contexts.

close enough

Implies that the similarity is sufficient for the purpose at hand, even if not perfect.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "just about the same"?

Use "just about the same" when you want to express that two things are very similar but not exactly identical. It implies a close approximation rather than precise equivalence.

What are some alternatives to "just about the same"?

You can use alternatives such as "nearly identical", "almost equal", or "virtually the same" depending on the degree of similarity you want to convey.

How does "just about the same" differ from "exactly the same"?

"Exactly the same" implies perfect identity, while "just about the same" suggests a very close resemblance with minor differences. The choice depends on the accuracy you need to convey.

Is "just about the same" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "just about the same" leans towards a neutral or slightly informal tone. In highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "substantially similar" or "practically equivalent" for a more refined expression.