nearly the same as

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearly the same as" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is typically used to express similarity, for example: "The novel by J.K. Rowling is nearly the same as the movie adaptation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is nearly the same as those determined from the powder samples.

Electrochimica Acta

This response is nearly the same as observed for the unheated specimens.

Construction and Building Materials

Its prices, envelopes and movie selection are nearly the same as Netflix's.

The New York Times

Second-quarter revenue was nearly the same as last year, at $23.2 million.

The New York Times

But replanting trees was not nearly the same as preserving them, the conservancy said.

The New York Times

Its abundance in Earth's crust is nearly the same as those of antimony and iodine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It was nearly the same as when we left," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

It shows a very high EFC number … nearly the same as net college expense.

The New York Times

By 2010, the passing rate was 37 percent, nearly the same as before 2005.

The New York Times

The predicted duty ratio is close to 0.5 and is nearly the same as the experimental results.

Chemical Engineering Science

On both catalysts the activation energy and reaction orders were nearly the same as in dry atmosphere.

Catalysis Today

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly the same as" when you want to convey that two things are very similar but not exactly identical. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly the same as" when there are significant or important differences. If the items being compared differ substantially, choose a phrase that reflects the degree of dissimilarity more accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly the same as" functions primarily as a comparative phrase, used to indicate a high degree of similarity between two or more entities. Ludwig examples confirm that it's used to draw comparisons across diverse subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly the same as" is a versatile and frequently used comparative phrase that indicates a high degree of similarity while acknowledging minor differences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly found in science, news, and general writing. While alternatives like "almost identical to" and "virtually the same as" exist, they convey slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, avoid overstating the degree of similarity and ensure it accurately reflects the relationship between the entities being compared.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical to

Emphasizes a very high degree of similarity, approaching identity.

practically the same as

Highlights that differences are negligible in practical terms.

virtually the same as

Similar to 'practically the same as', indicating negligible differences.

roughly equivalent to

Suggests an approximate equivalence, allowing for some variation.

approximately equal to

Indicates a quantitative similarity with a degree of estimation.

much alike

A simpler, less formal way to express similarity.

comparable to

Highlights that a comparison shows substantial similarities.

not unlike

A more subtle way of pointing out similarities while acknowledging differences.

shares similarities with

Focuses on the common attributes between two or more things.

bears resemblance to

Suggests that there are noticeable similarities in appearance or character.

FAQs

What does "nearly the same as" mean?

The phrase "nearly the same as" indicates that two or more things are very similar, but not completely identical. The differences are minor enough that they can be considered essentially alike in many contexts.

What are some alternatives to "nearly the same as"?

You can use alternatives like "almost identical to", "practically the same as", or "roughly equivalent to" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "nearly the same as" is appropriate for formal writing. While not the most sophisticated phrase, it is clear and conveys the intended meaning effectively. For more formal contexts, consider "almost identical to" or "virtually the same as".

How does "nearly the same as" compare to "exactly the same as"?

"Exactly the same as" indicates complete identity, with no differences whatsoever. "Nearly the same as" acknowledges a very high degree of similarity but allows for minor variations. If complete identity is intended, "exactly the same as" should be used; otherwise, "nearly the same as" is more appropriate.