relatively the same as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'relatively the same as' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a similarity between two things, but also acknowledge that they are not identical. For example, "The temperature in July is relatively the same as it is in August."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Compared to that of Chen and Zhu's, the key's size is relatively the same as its watermark.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

The route remained relatively the same as the state highway system was officially designated.

Wikipedia

49 Clinical outcomes with these treatments are relatively the same as for surgery.

Clinical interventions in aging

Nonetheless, chemical compositions of the rice husk residues remain relatively the same as those of the untreated rice husk.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Thus, although knockdown Pol III showed a decrease in Pol III binding at tRNA genes, the amount of Pol III is relatively the same as the CDKN1A and GDF15 knockdown control and MAF1/Pol III knockdown.

eLife

In this study, income was found to have statistically significant association with traditional cooking energy utilization, which is relatively the same as the study conducted in the United Kingdom concerning the spending pattern of the urban poor on cooking energy [ 6].

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This article 'invigorating foreign aid administration', takes a close look at the relative effectiveness of remittances administration which aims relatively the same target as does the foreign aid, but with more effective impact than foreign aid.

Financial Innovation

"Most of the spaces in the apartment are relatively the same size as that house" — although there are fewer of them, he said.

The New York Times

The serum cotinine level in smokers was 106.9 ± 30.71, relatively the same level as that found in smoker by previous researches and higher than that found in nonsmokers, 19.20 ± 8.59.

BioMed Research International

Keep it relatively the same otherwise as your first.

WikiHow

Paradoxically, Specter ends the chapter by castigating the public for not being more forgiving about Vioxx, whose risks he concludes were relatively small, about the same as driving a car.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relatively the same as" when you want to acknowledge a similarity between two things while also recognizing that they aren't precisely identical. This adds a layer of nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively the same as" when the items being compared are, in fact, significantly different. Using the phrase in such cases can mislead the reader. Ensure a genuine likeness exists before employing this expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively the same as" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase used for comparison. It modifies a noun or clause by indicating a degree of similarity that is not absolute or exact. Ludwig examples show that "relatively the same as" compares size, outcomes, levels and conditions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relatively the same as" is a useful tool for expressing similarity with a degree of qualification. It is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. While not extremely common, it offers a precise way to compare items or concepts without implying perfect equivalence. The phrase is frequently found in scientific and news-related content, emphasizing its role in nuanced communication. Remember to avoid overstating similarity when using "relatively the same as", ensuring that a genuine likeness exists between the compared subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually identical to

Strongly emphasizes near-perfect similarity, with very few or insignificant differences.

substantially similar to

Emphasizes a considerable degree of likeness while allowing for minor differences.

largely equivalent to

Focuses on the equivalence of function or effect, even if details differ.

much like

A simpler, more informal way of indicating resemblance.

broadly similar to

Indicates general similarity but allows for significant differences in detail.

comparable to

Suggests a level of similarity suitable for comparison, often in a quantitative sense.

analogous to

Highlights a similarity in function or relationship, even if the entities are different.

akin to

Implies a close resemblance or affinity.

on par with

Suggests equality in quality, performance, or status.

resembling

A more direct and straightforward way to indicate visual or superficial similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively the same as" in a sentence?

You can use "relatively the same as" to indicate a degree of similarity between two things, acknowledging they aren't exactly identical. For instance, "The cost of living here is "comparable to" that of the city center, but the environment is much quieter."

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "substantially similar to", "largely equivalent to", or "much like". Each carries slightly different nuances of similarity.

Is it redundant to use "relatively the same as"?

While "the same as" already implies similarity, adding "relatively" emphasizes that the comparison isn't perfect or absolute. It's useful when precision is needed, and you want to avoid overstating the likeness.

What's the difference between "relatively the same as" and "exactly the same as"?

"Relatively the same as" indicates a close similarity but allows for minor differences. "Exactly the same as", on the other hand, suggests complete identity. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual degree of similarity you're describing.