nearly the same

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearly the same" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate two similar, but not quite identical things. For example, you could say "The two apples may look the same, but their taste is nearly the same."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's nearly the same.

Independent

They're nearly the same age.

The Guardian

They read at nearly the same rates.

The New York Times

Now they are nearly the same.

The New York Times - Sports

Per-capita income is nearly the same as Sudan's.

The New Yorker

Violent crimes fell nearly the same amount in 2009.

The New York Times

Assaiante's message was nearly the same to his own team.

The New York Times - Sports

Even the quality of the cards isn't nearly the same.

The New York Times - Sports

Unsurprisingly, the results have been very nearly the same.

The Economist

In Game 5, he did nearly the same thing.

The New York Times

You get nearly the same effect as sauteing.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two things, clarify what aspects are "nearly the same" to provide context. For instance, "The size of both rooms is different, but their area is nearly the same".

Common error

Avoid using "nearly the same" when describing objects or concepts that are identical. Use it only when there are slight, but noticeable differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly the same" functions as an adjectival phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate a high degree of similarity. As indicated by Ludwig, it is indeed usable and correct in written English. It serves to qualify the extent of resemblance between two or more entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

58%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly the same" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express a high degree of similarity without implying exact equivalence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, from scientific reports to news articles. While alternatives like "almost identical" or "virtually the same" exist, "nearly the same" offers a balanced and readily understandable way to communicate approximate similarities. Remember to reserve it for situations where there are genuine differences, however small, and clarify the aspects that are "nearly the same" for better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical

Emphasizes a very close resemblance, approaching perfect similarity.

virtually the same

Highlights that the difference is so small it's practically negligible.

substantially similar

Indicates a considerable degree of likeness, but allows for some notable differences.

roughly equivalent

Suggests an approximate equality, useful when precision is not critical.

comparable to

Implies that the items can be compared favorably, though they might not be identical.

much alike

Indicates a strong similarity, focusing on shared characteristics.

not far off

Suggests proximity to a certain value or state, indicating a small difference.

in the same ballpark

An informal way to say something is approximately within a certain range.

similar in nature

Highlights that the fundamental properties or characteristics are alike.

bear a resemblance

Indicates a noticeable similarity in appearance or character.

FAQs

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

Use "nearly the same" to indicate that two or more things are very similar but not exactly identical. For example, "The two solutions produced "nearly the same results"".

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

"Nearly the same" implies a small difference, while "exactly the same" indicates no difference at all. Using "nearly" suggests a degree of approximation, unlike "exactly" which denotes precision.

Which is correct, "nearly the same" or "almost the same"?

Both "nearly the same" and "almost the same" are correct and convey similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

What can I say instead of "nearly the same"?

You can use alternatives like "almost identical", "virtually the same", or "substantially similar" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.