largely the same as

USAGE SUMMARY

"largely the same as" is a perfectly appropriate and valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two things and emphasize that although there may be some minor differences, the items are essentially the same. For example: "The two versions of the book are largely the same, but the new edition has a few additional details not found in the original."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You can expect this to be largely the same as it is now on the current Pandora site — large ads splashed in the background.

TechCrunch

Our team is largely the same as it was in National One.

The Guardian - Sport

The plan is largely the same as that proposed by the magistrate judge, Roanne L. Mann.

The New York Times

Mike Childs, climate campaigner with Friends of the Earth, said: "The problems with biochar are largely the same as biofuel.

The Guardian

It's not even a product launch, because the new product is largely the same as the old one.

The Guardian

But political marketing, for the most part, remains largely the same as it was 20 years ago.

The New York Times - Magazine

The format is largely the same as last year, with CBS using four channels, which is a good thing.

The New York Times

The tax change proposals would likely remain largely the same as those announced earlier by the Gyurcsany cabinet.

The Economist

The top 15 travel Web sites visited by students, meanwhile, are largely the same as those visited by United States Internet users as a whole.

The New York Times

Ms. Pasquarelli said Jamaica Hills houses averaged two to three months on the market, which she said was largely the same as last year.

The New York Times

In its statement on Wednesday, the Fed otherwise portrayed its assessment of the economy as largely the same as in its evaluation in April.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing items using "largely the same as", ensure you clarify any notable differences to avoid misleading the reader. For example, "The software is largely the same as the previous version, but the user interface has been updated."

Common error

Avoid using "largely the same as" when significant differences exist. This can create confusion or misrepresent the actual situation. For instance, don't say 'The two products are largely the same' if one has crucial features the other lacks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely the same as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to express that two or more things are similar in most respects, but not entirely identical. This can be seen in Ludwig's examples where different products, policies, or concepts are compared.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "largely the same as" is a comparative phrase used to indicate that two or more things share significant similarities while acknowledging minor differences. Ludwig AI's analysis and the provided examples confirm its widespread usage across various domains, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. The phrase is grammatically correct, exhibits a neutral tone, and is suitable for both formal and informal writing. When employing this phrase, it's essential to clarify any notable differences to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives such as "essentially identical to" or "mostly equivalent to" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially identical to

Highlights the almost complete identity of two things, with very few differences.

pretty much the same as

Less formal and emphasizes a high degree of similarity without being completely identical.

mostly equivalent to

Emphasizes the equivalence between two things with minor differences.

by and large equal to

Indicates a general equality, but allows for some exceptions or variations.

virtually indistinguishable from

Stresses that it is difficult to tell the difference between two things.

for the most part similar to

Focuses on the shared characteristics, while admitting some dissimilarities.

almost uniform with

Highlights the consistent similarity between two things or situations.

broadly analogous to

Indicates a general similarity, but acknowledges some differences may exist.

in many respects akin to

Suggests a similarity in several aspects, though not necessarily all.

comparable to a great extent with

Formally indicates that two things can be compared and have many similarities.

FAQs

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

Use "largely the same as" to indicate that two items or concepts are similar in most aspects, but may have minor differences. For example, "The new policy is "largely the same as" the old one, with a few updates to the enforcement procedures."

What are some alternatives to "largely the same as"?

You can use alternatives like "essentially identical to", "mostly equivalent to", or "virtually indistinguishable from" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "largely the same as" in formal writing?

Yes, "largely the same as" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure that the context warrants a comparison where near-equivalence is intended, and any minor differences are clearly articulated.

What's the difference between "largely the same as" and "exactly the same as"?

"Largely the same as" implies that there are minor differences, while "exactly the same as" indicates no differences whatsoever. Using "largely the same as" is more appropriate when acknowledging slight variations.