practically the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically the same" is correct and usable in written English.
You would usually use it to indicate that two things are almost identical. For example: "The two pizzas look practically the same."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Casement was practically the same.

The Guardian

Heel to toe, their feet were practically the same size.

The New Yorker

So, really, we are practically the same person.

The New York Times

The Virgin's facial features were practically the same as Jesus's.

The New York Times - Arts

"I had practically the same playlist at home!

The Guardian - Music

He said practically the same thing on November 2nd.

The New Yorker

Afte that another tough-looking man comes and offers practically the same thing.

The New Yorker

Finally, they ask if it's scary working underground, which to me is practically the same question.

The New York Times

We play completely different football, but Spain have stayed practically the same".

The New York Times - Sports

He'd seen practically the same image posted a hundred times before.

The New Yorker

This means your Isa will work in practically the same way as an ordinary savings account.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required. While "practically the same" is suitable for most contexts, more formal situations might benefit from phrases like "virtually identical" or "essentially equivalent".

Common error

Avoid using "practically the same" when there are significant differences between the items being compared. This can mislead the reader and undermine your credibility. If you say, "These two cars are practically the same, but one is a truck and the other is a sedan", it is inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically the same" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the degree of similarity between two or more entities. As confirmed by Ludwig, it suggests that items being compared are almost identical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically the same" is a versatile phrase used to express a high degree of similarity between two or more things, with the understanding that any differences are minor or inconsequential. As per Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in scientific and journalistic contexts. While it maintains a generally neutral tone, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives such as "virtually identical" or "essentially equivalent". When employing the expression "practically the same", ensure that it accurately reflects the degree of similarity and that the context clarifies the specific aspect under comparison. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually identical

Emphasizes the near-perfect similarity, suggesting any differences are negligible.

for all practical purposes identical

Adds a degree of hedging while highlighting the degree of similarity.

almost indistinguishable

Highlights the difficulty in telling the difference between two things.

to all intents and purposes the same

Legalistic and emphatic way to express functional identity.

essentially equivalent

Focuses on the functional equivalence, even if there are minor differences.

nearly alike

A more informal way of saying almost the same, suggesting a high degree of similarity.

close enough to be considered equal

Indicates that the difference isn't significant, even if not precise.

tantamount to

Suggests that the two things are so close in effect or value that they are functionally the same.

much the same

Implies a strong resemblance but allows for some minor discrepancies.

comparable to

Emphasizes that two things can be considered side-by-side due to equivalence.

FAQs

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

You can use "practically the same" to indicate that two things are very similar but not completely identical. For example, "The two reports yielded "essentially the same" results".

What are some alternatives to using "practically the same"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "almost identical", "virtually the same", or "nearly indistinguishable" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "practically the same" or "exactly the same"?

"Exactly the same" implies complete identity, while "practically the same" suggests a very high degree of similarity with minor differences. Choose the phrase that most accurately reflects the relationship between the items you're describing.

What's the difference between "practically the same" and "roughly the same"?

"Practically the same" indicates a closer degree of similarity than "roughly the same". "Roughly the same" implies an approximate similarity, while "practically the same" suggests that any differences are insignificant for the purpose at hand.