materially identical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "materially identical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that two or more items are essentially the same in substance or content. Example: "The two contracts are materially identical, containing the same terms and conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The position of drivers who use the app is materially identical to the (familiar and long-established) position of self-employed private hire drivers who operate under the auspices of traditional minicab firms," is how Uber sets out its argument in its court submission (via Reuters).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The SEC called the proxy materials materially false and misleading.

Forbes

Since (1) and (2a) are not identical categories, formally and materially are not synonymous.

SEP

Indeed, since most everyone will wish to trade something, requiring identical bundles will make virtually everybody materially worse off than they would be under an alternative allocation.

SEP

However, the results did not materially change when restricted to studies with an identical classification of generations as described in the methods nor when contraceptives with desogestrel or gestodene were compared with levonorgestrel (that is, norgestimate was not taken into account when classifying contraceptives into generations) (data not shown).

British Medical Journal

That is, Socrates on Monday is not the same whole materially as Socrates on Friday, because the sum of material parts belonging to Socrates on Monday is not identical to the sum of material parts on Friday (De toto et parte, 301).

SEP

Mission accomplished, materially speaking.

The Guardian - Books

Volumes are down materially".

The New York Times

"In fact, it is materially impossible".

The New York Times

And, more materially, he has a ring.

The New York Times

It's materially unsustainable if nothing else.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "materially identical" when you want to emphasize that differences are negligible in terms of practical consequences or legal interpretation.

Common error

In everyday conversation, simpler alternatives like "almost the same" or "virtually identical" may sound more natural than "materially identical", which carries a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "materially identical" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun is essentially the same in substance or effect, despite possible minor differences. Ludwig's analysis of usage contexts supports this.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "materially identical" is an adjective phrase signifying substantial equivalence despite minor variations. It's grammatically sound and finds use in formal contexts such as legal, business, and technical fields. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and useful in contexts where you need to convey that any potential differences between things don't affect their overall significance or effect. Alternatives include "substantially the same" or "essentially equivalent". While grammatically correct, remember that simpler phrases are often preferable in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Substantially the same

Emphasizes that the key aspects are equivalent, though minor differences may exist.

Essentially equivalent

Highlights the functional equivalence, even if the form differs.

Practically indistinguishable

Focuses on the lack of perceptible differences in a practical sense.

Virtually the same

Indicates a very high degree of similarity, approaching complete identity.

Almost identical

Suggests a near perfect match, with only minor deviations.

Effectively equivalent

Stresses that the end result or impact is the same.

Functionally equivalent

Highlights the sameness in terms of purpose and operation.

For all practical purposes identical

Emphasizes that any differences are irrelevant in a real-world context.

Comparably equal

Denotes a similar quality or value when put side by side.

Roughly equivalent

Indicates an approximate sameness, allowing for some degree of variation.

FAQs

What does "materially identical" mean?

The phrase "materially identical" means that two or more things are essentially the same in substance or effect, with any differences being insignificant or inconsequential.

When is it appropriate to use "materially identical"?

Use "materially identical" in formal contexts, especially when discussing legal documents, contracts, or technical specifications where precision is important. It emphasizes that any variations are not significant enough to alter the overall meaning or outcome.

What are some alternatives to "materially identical"?

You can use alternatives like "substantially the same", "essentially equivalent", or "virtually the same" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does "materially identical" differ from "identical"?

"Identical" implies an exact match in every aspect. "Materially identical" allows for minor differences that don't affect the overall nature, function, or legal standing of the items being compared.