nearly identical

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearly identical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe two things that are almost, but not entirely, the same, such as: "The two cars were nearly identical, but one had additional chrome trim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They sound nearly identical.

The New York Times

The advertisements are nearly identical.

The New York Times

The cabins are nearly identical.

The New York Times

They are nearly identical.

The New York Times - Travel

The descriptions were nearly identical.

The New York Times - Health

Their donor base is nearly identical.

The New York Times

But once they were nearly identical.

The New York Times - Arts

His present looked nearly identical to mine.

The New York Times

"The body shell is nearly identical".

The New York Times

(Nearly identical Valencian is spoken in Valencia).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Minutes later, a nearly identical episode occurred.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly identical" to accurately convey a close similarity that doesn't require absolute precision. For example, "The twins' DNA was nearly identical, with only a few minor variations."

Common error

Avoid using "nearly identical" when there are significant or functionally relevant differences. Using "similar" or "related" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly identical" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which two or more things resemble each other. Ludwig shows the phrase is commonly used to qualify nouns, indicating a high degree of similarity without absolute equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly identical" is a versatile adjectival modifier used to describe items with a high degree of similarity but not perfect sameness. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. The phrase strikes a balance between conveying resemblance and acknowledging minor differences, making it suitable for nuanced descriptions. While alternatives like "virtually the same" exist, ""nearly identical"" remains a common and effective choice for expressing a close, but not exact, match.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually the same

Indicates a very close similarity, almost to the point of being indistinguishable, but not completely.

almost indistinguishable

Emphasizes the difficulty in telling the difference between two things.

substantially similar

Highlights that the key aspects are alike, though minor differences may exist.

essentially alike

Focuses on the fundamental similarities, downplaying superficial differences.

remarkably alike

Implies a surprising degree of similarity.

closely resembles

Highlights the visual or superficial similarities.

bears a strong resemblance

A more formal way of saying that two things look very similar.

comparable to

Suggests that two things are similar enough to be compared.

much the same

A simple and informal way of expressing a high degree of similarity.

broadly similar

Indicates a general similarity, without necessarily implying a close match in every detail.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly identical" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly identical" to describe two or more things that are very similar but not exactly the same. For example, "The two prototypes were "nearly identical" in design, differing only in their color schemes."

What are some alternatives to "nearly identical"?

Some alternatives include "virtually the same", "almost indistinguishable", or "substantially similar", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "nearly identical", or should I say it is "identical"?

The choice depends on the degree of similarity. Use "identical" if the items are exactly the same. Use "nearly identical" if they are very similar but have some minor differences.

What's the difference between "nearly identical" and "exactly the same"?

"Exactly the same" implies a perfect match, while ""nearly identical"" suggests a very close similarity with only slight deviations. For example, two fingerprints might be "nearly identical" but not "exactly the same".