substantially identical

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantially identical" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe two or more things that are largely the same, but perhaps with a few slight differences. For example: "The two versions of the design were substantially identical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The United States enacted a substantially identical statute in 1790.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One maneuver, though much more restricted than it once was, involves selling borrowed securities substantially identical to those already held.

The New York Times

A building permit can be denied, for instance, if a proposed building has a "monotonous similarity" to any other structure within 250 feet or a "substantially identical facade".

The New York Times

The code prevents the deduction of losses when substantially identical securities are bought within 30 days before or after the shares are sold.

The New York Times

According to WWD, it will cover, "deliberate copies that are substantially identical to the protected designs" for three years.

The New York Times

In the other cases, he said: "We're adopting a cautious approach because the answer depends on individual facts and circumstances to define whether the replacement property is substantially identical to the property that is sold.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mature SUMO2 and SUMO3 are nearly identical (∼95% identity) but differ substantially from SUMO1 (∼50% identity).

Cellular Microbiology

Their lordships, who rather unhelpfully gave three substantially similar but not identical rulings, were only dealing with sections 1 and 4 of the 1989 Act.

The Guardian

"A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state".

The New York Times

What the tower advocates want, generally, is something based on the original design by Minoru Yamasaki: two towers, 110 stories or higher, not necessarily identical but substantially the same.

The New York Times

David Howard, a spokesman for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, maker of Camel products and the second-largest tobacco firm, said the company's products are all identical or substantially similar to earlier products, and it had applied for the designation.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or technical contexts, use "substantially identical" to indicate compliance with standards or regulations, where slight variations are permissible without affecting the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially identical" when you mean something is completely identical. The phrase implies that while things are very similar, there are still some small differences. If there are no differences, use 'exactly the same' or 'identical'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially identical" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It qualifies nouns by indicating a high degree of similarity while acknowledging potential minor differences. As Ludwig indicates, it's considered a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantially identical" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe a high degree of similarity between two or more things, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, including News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. While it implies near equivalence, it acknowledges the possibility of minor differences. For alternatives, consider "virtually the same" or "nearly indistinguishable". Remember to avoid using "substantially identical" when perfect sameness is meant; instead, use 'exactly the same' or 'identical'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually the same

Emphasizes near-perfect equivalence, suggesting differences are negligible.

nearly indistinguishable

Highlights the difficulty in perceiving any difference.

almost equivalent

Indicates a high level of equivalence, but allows for minor discrepancies.

largely similar

Focuses on the overall similarity, acknowledging potential smaller differences.

essentially alike

Points out the fundamental similarity, downplaying superficial differences.

broadly equivalent

Suggests similarity in the main aspects or features.

practically interchangeable

Highlights the ability to use the items in place of each other with little to no impact.

tantamount to

Implies functional equivalence, even if the form differs.

corresponding closely

Focuses on the high degree of correspondence or matching.

comparable in substance

Indicates that the core content or meaning is similar, even if expression varies.

FAQs

How can I use "substantially identical" in a sentence?

You can use "substantially identical" to describe items or concepts that are very similar but not perfectly the same. For example, "The two reports presented data that was "substantially identical"".

What's the difference between "substantially identical" and "identical"?

"Identical" means exactly the same, while "substantially identical" means very similar but not necessarily exactly the same. The latter allows for minor differences that don't significantly alter the overall nature or function. Consider using "virtually the same", if you want an alternative with almost the same meaning.

Which is correct, "substantially identical" or "substantially similar"?

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Substantially identical" suggests a higher degree of similarity than "substantially similar". Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of similarity you want to convey. In some contexts, "largely similar" may be a better fit.

What can I say instead of "substantially identical"?

You can use alternatives like "virtually the same", "nearly indistinguishable", or "almost equivalent" depending on the context.