the exact same thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the exact same thing" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when talking about two things which are identical. For example, "She bought the same dress as me, just in a different color - it was the exact same thing!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's the exact same thing.

The New York Times

The exact same thing happened.

The Guardian - Money

In gameplay it's the exact same thing".

The Guardian - Tech

The exact same thing happened to me.

The New Yorker

It's the exact same thing to her.

The New Yorker

"I'd do the exact same thing".

The New York Times

Not similar, the exact same thing.

The New York Times

Then the exact same thing happens to Choi.

The Guardian - Sport

The exact same thing had been achieved with water.

The New Yorker

And the exact same thing will happen with academics".

The New York Times - Sports

"But he would say the exact same thing.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the exact same thing" when you want to emphasize that two things are not just similar but identical in every way.

Common error

Avoid using "the exact same thing" when you mean 'similar' or 'comparable'. Reserve it for situations where there is complete identity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the exact same thing" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a predicate nominative or object of a preposition. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in asserting equivalence or identity between two items, actions, or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the exact same thing" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize complete identity between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to something truly identical, not just similar, to avoid misuse. Consider alternatives like "precisely the same" or "identically the same" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely the same

Emphasizes precision and exactness in similarity.

identically the same

Highlights that the items are indistinguishable.

exactly alike

Focuses on the likeness of two things.

the very same

Adds emphasis on the sameness or uniqueness.

completely identical

Stresses the completeness of the identity.

one and the same

Highlights that two things are actually a single entity.

just the same

Indicates similarity with a slightly less formal tone.

duplicate of

Indicates that something is a copy.

carbon copy

Metaphorically suggests a perfect and indistinguishable copy.

a spitting image

Informal term suggesting a strong resemblance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the exact same thing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "precisely the same", "identically the same", or "the very same".

Is there a difference between "the same thing" and "the exact same thing"?

"The exact same thing" emphasizes that there is no difference whatsoever, while "the same thing" might imply only a general similarity.

What's a synonym for "the exact same thing" in a technical context?

In technical contexts, consider using "completely identical" or "duplicate of". Alternatively, see "one and the same".

Can "the exact same thing" be used figuratively?

Yes, it can be used figuratively to emphasize that two situations or experiences are completely alike, even if they are not literally the same.