same same

USAGE SUMMARY

"same same" is a correct and usable phrase in written English when used as an informal comparison.
For example, "I drove to work this morning and took the same route home - same same!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Same, same, same.

The New York Times

Same same".

The Guardian - Sport

The same, same thing".

The New York Times

Weeks or cards?" "Same, same," Mark says, taking a hit.

The New Yorker

"People dressing the same, same fucking T-shirts and snapbacks and all that shit.

The Guardian - Music

With a defeated look on her face, she says of her work, heavy-handedly, "Everything same same".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

It was widely assumed that she's referring to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn The Defense of Marriage Act, which will allow same same-sex marriages to be recognized by the Federal government.

Huffington Post

Same-same like me.

The New Yorker

But the songs, while accomplished, are too same-same.

The New York Times

Critics of the local industry often claim our funding bodies are bogged down in same-same thinking and have a default position of green-lighting morose dramas.

The Guardian - Film

Efforts to issue marriage licenses to same-same sex couples in New Mexico, New York and New Jersey were shut down within hours or days.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "same same" sparingly and primarily in informal contexts to maintain a casual and relatable tone. Overuse can diminish its impact and appear repetitive.

Common error

Avoid using "same same" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated synonyms like "identical", "equivalent", or "indistinguishable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "same same" functions as an informal descriptor indicating similarity, agreement, or equivalence. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in written English as an informal comparison. It often serves as a response to a statement, quickly conveying, in a conversational manner, that things are similar.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "same same" is a correct and usable phrase within informal contexts, as validated by Ludwig. It serves as a quick way to express similarity or agreement. While grammatically sound for casual use, it should be avoided in formal writing in favor of more precise synonyms. Ludwig's analysis, based on a variety of sources, indicates that it's most frequently found in news, media, and online content, highlighting its informal and conversational nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretty much the same

Suggests a high degree of similarity with minor permissible differences.

exactly alike

Stresses the identical nature of two or more things.

virtually identical

Indicates a near-perfect similarity, with only minor differences.

much the same

Indicates a high degree of similarity with emphasis on the quantity.

just the same

Emphasizes that things remain unchanged or equivalent despite a potential difference.

all the same

Highlights a lack of difference or consequence despite something else.

apples to apples

Emphasizes a fair comparison between items of the same type.

more of the same

Suggests a continuation of something already experienced or discussed.

cut from the same cloth

Implies shared characteristics or origins between two or more things or people.

birds of a feather

Similar to 'cut from the same cloth', this idiom suggests shared traits and tendencies.

FAQs

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

You can use "same same" informally to indicate agreement or similarity. For example, "I ordered the burger last time and I'll get it again - same same!"

What are some alternatives to "same same"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "just the same", "exactly alike", or "pretty much the same".

Is it appropriate to use "same same" in formal writing?

No, "same same" is generally considered informal and should be avoided in formal writing. More appropriate synonyms should be used in such contexts.

What does "same same but different" mean?

It means that while things may appear similar on the surface, there are underlying differences. The phrase is often used to acknowledge both the similarities and distinctions between two or more things.