looks about the same

USAGE SUMMARY

"looks about the same" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is very similar in appearance to something else. Example: The two dresses are different colors, but they look about the same in terms of style and fit.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

But the landscape looks about the same as yesterday.

The New Yorker

"It looks about the same to me," Mr. Walker said.

The New York Times

(Without digging into the fine print, that looks about the same as the TurboTax guarantee).

The New York Times

"Farther out, every airline looks about the same," Mr. Beckerman said.

The New York Times - Travel

I don't need to wear them anymore, because I have white hair now, and it looks about the same.

The New Yorker

The apartment building on Pearl Street looks about the same, just as Etan's building does, not very far away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

He looked about the same age as my son Joshua.

The New York Times

The other shoot tipping treatments look about the same as the control.

Cornell University

Indeed, to the untrained eye, all baseball bats look about the same at the outset.

The New York Times - Sports

Whether it's Cauchy or normal, they look about the same.

Yale University

Coverage of former FBI director James B. Comey's testimony looked about the same across cable news channels.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two things using "looks about the same", ensure the context provides a clear basis for the comparison to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "looks about the same" when there are significant or functionally relevant differences between the items being compared. Be careful in scenarios where the similarity is superficial but underlying factors diverge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks about the same" functions primarily as a descriptive comparator, used to express similarity in appearance. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, it often qualifies a subject by indicating a perceived visual equivalence or near-equivalence with something else.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looks about the same" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that two or more things appear visually similar. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience to ensure the level of formality aligns with the intended message. Alternative expressions, such as "appears virtually identical" or "is virtually the same", may offer more precision or formality depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is virtually the same

Implies a near-perfect equivalence, minimizing any differences.

is almost indistinguishable

Indicates a difficulty in telling the difference between two things.

appears virtually identical

Emphasizes a high degree of similarity in appearance, almost indistinguishable.

has a similar appearance

Directly focuses on the visual aspect being alike.

bears a close resemblance

Stresses a significant similarity in features or qualities.

presents a similar image

Focuses on the visual impression being alike, rather than the inherent nature.

shows a striking similarity

Highlights that the resemblance is particularly noticeable or remarkable.

exhibits a comparable likeness

Highlights that the similarity is noticeable and worthy of comparison.

mimics the appearance of

Suggests that one thing is imitating the look of another.

approximates the look of

Indicates a degree of similarity without being completely identical.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "looks about the same"?

Consider alternatives such as "appears virtually identical", "is virtually the same", or "bears a close resemblance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "looks about the same" a formal expression?

While grammatically correct, "looks about the same" leans towards a neutral or informal register. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "exhibits a comparable likeness" or "presents a similar image".

What does it mean when something "looks about the same"?

It signifies that two or more things have a high degree of visual similarity, to the point where differences are either minor or not immediately apparent. It implies a subjective assessment of comparable appearance.

How to use "looks about the same" in a sentence?

You can use "looks about the same" to compare the appearance of two or more things, as in: "The updated model "looks about the same" as the previous version." or "From a distance, the buildings "look about the same"".