mostly the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly the same" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something (or someone) that has many similarities, but still, has some minor differences. For example: "The two paintings were mostly the same, but the use of colors was slightly different".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were mostly the same.

The Economist

X and Y are mostly the same.

The New York Times - Arts

And for a while, the job remained mostly the same.

The Washington Post

But Alex got hit, too, in mostly the same area.

The New York Times - Sports

The West End is mostly the same crossroads as always.

The New York Times

The characterizations and pacing remained mostly the same.

The New York Times

For now, those fundamentals look mostly the same.

The New York Times

Severino's routine on his normal four days between starts has remained mostly the same.

The New York Times - Sports

American coaches have to be unique to survive; Russian coaches are mostly the same.

The New York Times - Sports

The Middle East Forum is its strident voice - two different tones, but mostly the same people.

The Guardian

I've hidden some of my friends' Facebook feeds for mostly the same reason.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mostly the same" to acknowledge minor differences while emphasizing overall similarity, enhancing nuance and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly the same" when significant differences exist. Instead, use a phrase that more accurately reflects the degree of dissimilarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly the same" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a high degree of similarity while acknowledging minor differences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mostly the same" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a high level of similarity with slight differences. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is suitable across numerous contexts, predominantly within News & Media. Related phrases include “largely similar” and “almost identical”, which offer alternative ways to articulate varying degrees of resemblance. When writing, use "mostly the same" to provide nuanced clarity, emphasizing commonalities while acknowledging distinctions, but be cautious not to overstate similarity if significant differences are present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely similar

Focuses on the overall similarity, downplaying minor differences.

for the most part, the same

Adds an introductory qualifier, emphasizing the extent of the sameness.

substantially equivalent

Highlights the functional equivalence despite potential superficial differences.

predominantly similar

Stresses that similarity is the prevailing characteristic.

almost identical

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

much the same

Emphasizes the great extent of similarity.

broadly comparable

Suggests similarity in general terms, allowing for some notable distinctions.

chiefly the same

Underlines the primary aspects that remain unchanged.

generally alike

Indicates a common resemblance, without excluding the possibility of individual variations.

in many respects, similar

Highlights the points in common, not negating the fact of differences.

FAQs

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

You can use "mostly the same" to indicate that two or more things are similar in most aspects but have some differences. For example, "The two reports were "mostly the same", except for the conclusion."

What are some alternatives to "mostly the same"?

Alternatives include phrases like "largely similar", "almost identical", or "substantially equivalent", depending on the degree of similarity you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "most the same" instead of "mostly the same"?

While "most the same" might be understood, ""mostly the same"" is the more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "mostly the same"?

It's appropriate when you want to acknowledge slight variations while still emphasizing the overall similarity between items or situations. It works well when absolute identity isn't present, but the key characteristics align.