sameness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sameness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a similarity or lack of difference between two or more things. Example sentence: Despite their outward differences, the two brothers had an uncanny sameness about them.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The existence of substances (and thus of the self as a real and lasting thing) requires three things: ontological separation between things (making the self distinct from others), internal unity (so that it is one self), and sameness over time (so it remains the same self).

SEP

It is the continuation of the same functional organization and thus the same life which is the criterion of identity for sameness of living thing, be it an oak or a horse.

SEP

However, the same variable-type is not sufficient for expressing the sameness in other cases, e.g., ∃x(x<A ∧ B<x) → ∃x(x<C).

SEP

Numerical difference thus entails the failure of numerical sameness, but not conversely: a part is not numerically the same as its whole, but it is not numerically different from its whole.

SEP

There has been an awful sameness about the international rugby landscape, which comes down to the same countries playing one another, year in and year out.

The Economist

It turns out that globalisation, while promising sameness through brand-name consumption, was fostering, through uneven economic growth, an intense feeling of difference.

The Guardian - Opinion

Doing anything for 16 years, there is going to be a level of sameness to it that is difficult, I'm sure, for an audience, but also difficult for a performer.

The Guardian

Distinctiveness and sameness coexist fretfully.

The Guardian - Books

But, he continues, there is another reason for the sameness: business schools are too often divorced from their parent universities.

The Economist

Ominously, a few of the universities that already use quotas have created evaluation committees to police student applications for possible "race fraud"."If you have a society that is based on sameness, you shouldn't throw that away," says Peter Fry, an anthropologist who has studied race and racial politics in Africa and Brazil.

The Economist

But now the reality genre "has a sameness", says Mr Freston, "and we're trying to move away from it".Right now, MTV Networks' consumer research also suggests that the generation gap between young people and their parents has mostly disappeared.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sameness", consider whether a more specific term like "similarity", "uniformity", or "equivalence" would provide greater clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "sameness" in overly abstract or philosophical contexts where more precise terminology related to identity or equivalence would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "sameness" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the quality or state of being the same. It's used to describe a condition of similarity, identity, or lack of variation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the usage is correct and applicable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sameness" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun signifying the quality of being alike or identical. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is appropriate across diverse contexts, though nuanced word choices like "similarity" or "uniformity" can sometimes offer greater precision. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related content, "sameness" serves to emphasize uniformity, highlight a lack of differentiation, or express concern about a monotonous state. When deploying this term, writers should consider if a more specific alternative enhances clarity and avoid overly abstract contexts where precise terminology is paramount. The provided examples from Ludwig illustrate its practical application and variety of expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similarity

This term highlights the resemblance or correspondence between things.

uniformity

This suggests a consistent and unvarying quality across a group or set.

resemblance

This emphasizes a likeness in appearance or characteristics.

alikeness

This denotes a comparable nature or quality.

lack of difference

This phrase points out the absence of distinguishing features.

oneness

This implies a state of being unified or identical.

consistency

This refers to a reliable and unchanging state or behavior.

homogeneity

This suggests a uniform composition or character throughout.

equivalence

This indicates a state of being equal in value or meaning.

identity

This signifies the state of being the same.

FAQs

How can I use "sameness" in a sentence?

You can use "sameness" to describe the quality of being alike or identical. For example, "The project suffered from a dispiriting "lack of originality" due to the "sameness" of ideas."

What are some alternatives to "sameness"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "similarity", "uniformity", or "resemblance".

Is it always negative to describe something as having "sameness"?

Not necessarily. While "sameness" can imply a lack of originality or excitement, it can also describe desired consistency or "equality".

What's the difference between "sameness" and "similarity"?

"Sameness" suggests a higher degree of likeness, potentially implying identity, while "similarity" indicates a resemblance without being identical.