merely the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely the same" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that two or more things are exactly alike. For example, "The two chairs were merely the same, with identical designs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The top four are merely the same dinners slightly shuffled.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Television news is not merely the same news delivered in a different way.

The New York Times

The worlds in which different societies live are distinct worlds, not merely the same world with different labels attached.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I wondered if death is merely the same deal — life interrupted then rebooted as some Kafkaesque journey with several checkpoints.

The New Yorker

When it comes to BSF, says Humpheys, Quinn is emphatically not looking for merely "the same but nicer".

The Guardian

The Better Care Fund is merely the same process mandated from government but, crucially, without any additional resources.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In many cases, the high-minded Progressives and anti- alien" sloganti- alienn't merely awkward alliesloganeerssame people.

The New Yorker

The five-year survival rate certainly improves, but this is merely opening the same novel at an earlier chapter.

The New York Times

Florida set that benchmark last season with its youthful sprint to the Final Four, but the Pirates are merely following the same formula.

The New York Times - Sports

Until recently, most of my colleagues assumed that the former speaker of the House, who flirted with running four years ago, was merely doing the same thing now, just to stay in the news.

The New York Times

In a way, its "no sex, no drugs, only rock and roll" attitude is merely replicating the same approach that Nintendo has emphasised for years in its efforts to keep its games consoles family friendly.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "merely the same", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "merely the same" when there are significant differences between the items being compared. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the differences are negligible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely the same" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize the lack of difference or uniqueness. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase indicates that two or more things are virtually identical.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "merely the same" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to emphasize the lack of distinction or uniqueness between two or more things. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s used in a variety of contexts, from News & Media to scientific writing, indicating a neutral register. When you want to stress that something is virtually identical or unoriginal, "merely the same" is a concise and effective choice. Remember to use it accurately, ensuring that the context supports the claim of near-perfect similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply identical

Replaces "merely the same" with a simpler synonym focusing on the identity of two things.

just equivalent

Substitutes "same" with "equivalent", highlighting that the things are functionally equal.

virtually identical

Indicates a high degree of similarity that is almost perfect, offering a slight nuance.

practically the same

Emphasizes that for all practical purposes, the items are indistinguishable.

essentially similar

Focuses on the core characteristics being alike, even if minor differences exist.

effectively equal

Highlights the equality in outcome or effect rather than strict identity.

tantamount to

Expresses that two things are virtually the same in effect or value.

indistinguishable from

Directly states the inability to tell the difference between two things.

akin to

Indicates a resemblance or similarity, but not necessarily perfect identity.

along the lines of

Suggests a similarity in concept or approach, but allows for variation.

FAQs

How can I use "merely the same" in a sentence?

You can use "merely the same" to indicate that two or more things are identical or virtually indistinguishable. For example, "The two products are "merely the same", offering no unique features."

What are some alternatives to "merely the same"?

Alternatives include "simply identical", "just equivalent", or "virtually identical", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "merely the same" is appropriate for formal writing. It provides a clear and concise way to express that two things are essentially identical.

What's the difference between "merely the same" and "somewhat similar"?

"Merely the same" indicates near-perfect or perfect identity, while "somewhat similar" suggests there are noticeable differences but also some points of resemblance. They are not interchangeable.