practically the same as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically the same as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two things are very similar or nearly identical in nature or function. Example: "The two products are practically the same as each other in terms of quality and performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Arts

Another considered this and replied, "He is a Protestant, he says it's practically the same as Wahhabi — let him be".

The New Yorker

Ms. Stewart's friends say that her current social activity is practically the same as it always was.

The New York Times

For a hilltop museum with no public parking nearby and in a city with limited public transportation, the parking increase is practically the same as an admission fee.

The New York Times - Arts

"Really, during the Zhou dynasty we were practically the same as ancient Rome or Egypt!" His wife peered toward the dining room.

The New Yorker

To listen to some pundits, you'd think that ad was practically the same as the famous G.O.P. ad accusing Max Cleland of being weak on national security.

The New York Times

He also pointed out that the cost of construction there worked out to be practically the same as it would have been in Malaysia.

The New York Times

"We sell larger amounts from the middle market, even though our market share is practically the same as the United States," he said, explaining that the New York location sold fewer but more expensive items.

The New York Times - Arts

The absolutists of the old left imagined that victory would, when it came, be total and permanent, which is practically the same as saying that victory was and is impossible and will never come.

The Guardian - Books

Some projections have equal-area properties, while others provide for conformal delineations in which, for small areas, the shape is practically the same as it would be on a globe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

UTC is practically the same as GMT — so you can work out the time the leap second will happen according to how many hours behind or ahead of that you are.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two things using "practically the same as", ensure that the context clarifies the specific aspects in which they are similar. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "practically the same as" when there are significant differences between the items being compared. This phrase implies a high degree of equivalence, and misusing it can weaken your argument or mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically the same as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate a high degree of similarity between two or more things, suggesting that they are equivalent for most practical purposes. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "practically the same as" is a commonly used and grammatically correct comparative phrase that indicates a high degree of similarity, suggesting near equivalence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, including formal writing. It's most frequently found in scientific and news-related sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the aspects in which the items being compared are similar to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually identical to

Emphasizes an almost complete resemblance with slight, often negligible, differences.

for all intents and purposes, the same as

Highlights that the distinction is irrelevant or inconsequential in practical terms.

almost indistinguishable from

Highlights the difficulty in discerning any difference between the items being compared.

to all effects the same as

Focus on the effects, consequences or outcome that's nearly identical.

substantially equivalent to

Focuses on the functional or essential equivalence despite potential superficial differences.

in essence the same as

It speaks that the most important characteristics are identical.

tantamount to

Suggests that the two things are effectively the same in result or effect, even if different in form.

nearly equivalent to

Indicates close but not perfect equivalence.

comparable to

Implies a degree of similarity that makes the items worth comparing, but not necessarily identical.

much the same as

Indicates a high degree of similarity, but perhaps slightly less precise than "practically the same".

FAQs

What does "practically the same as" mean?

The phrase "practically the same as" suggests that two things are very similar, almost identical, but with minor, often inconsequential differences. It implies that for most purposes, they can be considered equivalent.

What can I say instead of "practically the same as"?

You can use alternatives like "virtually identical to", "almost indistinguishable from", or "substantially equivalent to" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "practically the same as" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure it accurately reflects the degree of similarity you intend to convey. In highly technical contexts, more precise language might be preferred.

How does "practically the same as" differ from "literally the same as"?

"Practically the same as" acknowledges minor differences, whereas "literally the same as" asserts complete identity. The former is used when things are nearly identical in effect, while the latter demands absolute equivalence.