same order of magnitude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "same order of magnitude" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Generally, this phrase is used to describe two values that appear to be similar in size, although one (or both) of the values may be a rough estimate. For example, you might say: "The number of people visiting the museum in May was somewhere around 500, and the number in June was about the same order of magnitude."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not even the same order of magnitude.

The Guardian - Tech

"On the same order of magnitude as Hiroshima," Frank replied.

The Guardian

A precision of the same order of magnitude was achieved.

The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics

What all these studies show is the same order of magnitude.

The New York Times

The sample of UKTUS 2013 is of the same order of magnitude as UKTUS 2010.

Princeton University

A strand of DNA is in the same order of magnitude, but slightly smaller at just 2.5nm wide.

The Guardian - Tech

For one thing, both data sets are roughly in the same order of magnitude.

The New York Times

I think it's on the same order of magnitude as the amount of carbon that's currently in the atmosphere.

Nature

The matter and dark energy densities happen to be of the same order of magnitude in the universe today.

Nature

"It's of the same order of magnitude as having an extra U.S. on the planet," said Crowther.

The Washington Post

The same calculation for B. cinerea leads to estimates of fluxes of the same order of magnitude.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing numerical values, use "same order of magnitude" to indicate that they are roughly similar in size, especially when exact precision isn't critical. For example, "The project's budget and the estimated savings were of the same order of magnitude."

Common error

Avoid using "same order of magnitude" when values are significantly different. The phrase implies a general similarity, not exact equality. If one value is hundreds or thousands of times larger than another, they are not of the same order of magnitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "same order of magnitude" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating that two or more quantities or values are roughly similar in size or quantity. Ludwig indicates that this is an acceptable phrase for describing proximity without implying exact precision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "same order of magnitude" is a common and correct way to express that two or more quantities are roughly similar in size or quantity, without requiring precise equality. Ludwig highlights its acceptability across various contexts, predominantly in science, news, and academia. While generally neutral to formal, its formality depends on the context. Related phrases include "comparable scale" and "roughly equivalent". Using it correctly involves recognizing that it implies general similarity rather than exact precision. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and offers numerous examples of its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of a similar size

This phrase directly refers to physical dimensions or numerical amount.

comparable scale

This alternative focuses on the relative size or extent of the items being compared.

in the same range

Focuses on the shared interval or spectrum of values.

similar proportion

This emphasizes the ratio or fraction that one quantity represents in relation to another.

roughly equivalent

This suggests an approximate equality or interchangeability.

in the ballpark

This idiom indicates that values are close, though perhaps not precisely the same.

on par

Indicates a level of equality or similarity in performance or quality.

near enough

Emphasizes that the difference is insignificant for practical purposes.

close to

This suggests a proximity in value without necessarily implying magnitude.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance or similarity in nature or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "same order of magnitude" in a sentence?

You can use "same order of magnitude" to indicate that two quantities are roughly similar in size. For example, "The estimated cost and the actual expenditure were of the "same order of magnitude"".

What does "same order of magnitude" mean?

"Same order of magnitude" means that two values are close in size, typically within a factor of 10. It's often used to compare values without focusing on precise accuracy.

What can I say instead of "same order of magnitude"?

You can use alternatives like "similar size", "comparable scale", or "roughly equivalent" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "same order of magnitude" when comparing very different numbers?

No, "same order of magnitude" is not appropriate for comparing very different numbers. The phrase is used when values are reasonably close, generally within one power of ten. If numbers differ by factors of 100 or 1000, they are not considered to be of the "same order of magnitude".