much the same

USAGE SUMMARY

'much the same' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that two or more things are similar. For example, "He felt much the same way about the situation as she did."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neuroscience is much the same.

The Economist

Babbage finds much the same.

The Economist

I felt much the same.

The New York Times - Arts

Bradley feels much the same.

Independent

They are all pretty much the same.

The New Yorker

It's pretty much the same thing".

The New York Times - Sports

The repertoire remains much the same, though.

The Guardian - Music

Rifat Andrabi said much the same thing.

The New York Times

Impey makes much the same point.

The New Yorker

Politically, it is much the same.

Independent

Public records indicated much the same thing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "much the same" when you want to convey that two situations, actions, or descriptions are very similar, but not necessarily identical. It implies a high degree of likeness.

Common error

While "much the same" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Opt for more precise synonyms like "substantially similar" or "virtually identical" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much the same" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a high degree of similarity or equivalence. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is widely used to express that things are very alike but not necessarily identical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much the same" is a common phrase used to express a high degree of similarity between two or more things. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent appearance in News & Media sources. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more formal synonyms like "substantially similar" in professional writing. Its primary function is to draw comparisons, emphasizing that subjects are broadly equivalent. Remember to use it when you want to convey likeness but not necessarily complete identity. You can also explore alternative phrases like "pretty similar" or "largely equivalent" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantially similar

Emphasizes the degree of similarity being significant or considerable.

largely equivalent

Highlights that the items or situations are mostly equal in value or effect.

virtually identical

Indicates an almost perfect match, with only negligible differences.

pretty similar

A more casual way of saying things are alike, though not necessarily completely so.

broadly analogous

Suggests a comparison based on shared characteristics or functions.

essentially alike

Focuses on the core elements being the same, despite possible superficial differences.

more or less the same

Acknowledges minor differences but underscores the overall similarity.

comparable to

Directly states that the items can be likened to one another.

akin to

A slightly more formal way of expressing similarity or relatedness.

on par with

Implies that the items are of equal status or quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "much the same" to indicate similarity between two subjects or situations. For example, "The first act was engaging, and the second was "much the same"".

What are some alternatives to saying "much the same"?

Alternatives include "substantially similar", "virtually identical", or "pretty similar", depending on the degree of similarity you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "much the same as"?

While grammatically acceptable, "much the same" often implies a comparison without explicitly stating "as". Adding "as" can make the sentence slightly redundant but not incorrect. For instance, "The results were much the same as before" is acceptable, but "The results were "much the same"" is more concise.

What's the difference between "much the same" and "exactly the same"?

"Much the same" indicates a high degree of similarity but allows for minor differences. "Exactly the same" implies complete identity without any variation. Use "exactly the same" when there are no differences and "much the same" when there are only negligible differences.