practically identical to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically identical to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two things are very similar or nearly the same in most respects. Example: "The two designs are practically identical to each other, making it difficult to choose between them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To my eyes, anyway, that is practically identical to what the top line in Piketty's figure 10.5 shows.

The New Yorker

There are no signs advertising its place in history; it is practically identical to almost every neighbouring house.

The Guardian - Travel

In short, they began to exhibit "a pattern of broken slumber — one practically identical to that of pre-industrial households".

The New Yorker

But his views were practically identical to those expressed by Detroit G.M. Ken Holland, generally perceived to be a dove.

The New York Times

This is a surprising turn of events since the House version of the bill was practically identical to the Senate version up until the evening before it passed.

The New York Times

The classic splayed-finger movement that has become a Fosse cliché is practically identical to the gesture used by the deaf to signify applause.

The New York Times

After the McCain-Edwards-Kennedy legislation passed, we decided to reintroduce our bill so that it was practically identical to the Senate-passed version.

The New York Times

The 3T is practically identical to its predecessor, a slight colour difference on the outside the only sign that things have changed.

The Guardian - Tech

Second, and even more importantly, Hagel's views on Iran are, as Ali Ghraib at the Daily Beast pointed out, practically identical to those to President Obama.

The Guardian - Opinion

The black check mesh dress that features in Next's spring advertising campaign, for example, is practically identical to a piece by the US designer Lela Rose, worn by Cheryl Cole at the launch of The X Factor this month.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In some cases, several students in the same classrooms submitted paragraphs that were practically identical to open-ended prompts, raising questions of whether they inappropriately worked together or were even fed answers by adults.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing items, verify their nearly identical nature before using this phrase. This assures accuracy and credibility of the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "practically identical to" when there are significant or relevant differences between the items being compared. It's better to use phrases like "similar to" or "resembles" to avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically identical to" functions as a prepositional phrase used to express a high degree of similarity between two or more entities. It is commonly employed to indicate that while there might be minor differences, the entities are essentially the same. Ludwig's examples confirm its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically identical to" is a versatile phrase used to convey a strong similarity between two things, acknowledging that minor differences may exist. As indicated by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and finds frequent application across various domains, particularly in science and news media. While alternatives such as "virtually the same as" or "nearly indistinguishable from" can be used, it's important to consider the specific context and the degree of similarity you wish to emphasize. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is accurate and that the differences are indeed minor to avoid misleading your audience. Its frequency is considered Very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually the same as

Emphasizes near equivalence with a slightly stronger implication of indistinguishability.

nearly indistinguishable from

Focuses on the difficulty of discerning any difference.

effectively equivalent to

Focuses on the practical outcome of the similarity.

almost the same as

Indicates a very slight difference, making it less emphatic than "practically identical".

for all intents and purposes, the same as

Highlights functional equivalence even if minor differences exist.

much the same as

A simpler, less formal way of expressing near identity.

tantamount to

Suggests the phrases are equivalent in effect or value, not necessarily in appearance.

closely resembles

Highlights visual or superficial similarities rather than exact equivalence.

bears a striking resemblance to

Stresses a noticeable and significant similarity.

analogous to

Implies a similarity in function or relationship, not necessarily in appearance or structure.

FAQs

How can I use "practically identical to" in a sentence?

You can use "practically identical to" to compare two things that are very similar, as in, "The two models are "practically identical to" each other, with only minor variations in color".

What are some alternatives to "practically identical to"?

Alternatives include "virtually the same as", "almost the same as", or "nearly indistinguishable from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "practically identical to" and "similar to"?

"Practically identical to" suggests a very high degree of similarity with only minor differences, while "similar to" implies a general resemblance without necessarily indicating near equivalence.

Is it appropriate to use "practically identical to" in formal writing?

Yes, "practically identical to" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure that the context warrants such a strong assertion of similarity. Alternatives like "effectively equivalent to" may also be considered for a more nuanced tone.