they are virtually identical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are virtually identical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing two or more items that are very similar or nearly the same in appearance or function. Example: "The two models of the smartphone are virtually identical, making it difficult to choose between them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The two individuals both fit the requirements perfectly, are the same age, went to the same school, and, from the point of view of this job, they are virtually identical.

Forbes

Nevertheless, on the basis of 16S rRNA they are virtually identical and form a monophyletic cluster, with a close phylogenetic affiliation among filamentous cyanobacteria.

Plosone

As it can be seen in Figure 7, left panel, the general comparison for XR and XL arms indicates that they are virtually identical.

BMC Genomics

The general consensus on AT- and BM-MSC is that they are virtually identical in cell surface marker profile, gene expression profile, and differentiation potential [ 12].

BioMed Research International

The asymmetric unit contained two copies of velaglucerase alfa, designated as molecules A and B. The root mean square deviation (RMSD) value between molecules A and B (<0.3 Å) shows that they are virtually identical.

Glycobiology

Comparison of the islands in 1106a and 1106b demonstrated that they are virtually identical except for a small internal indel region that is present in 1106a but absent in 1106b.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

They were virtually identical.

The New York Times

"Apart from the age differences, they were virtually identical.

The Telegraph

They're virtually identical, bar the fact that the frontman looks nothing like Two Door's Tintinesque singer, Alex Trimble.

The Guardian - Music

Most tellingly — or damningly — when the opening credits of "The Late Late Show" and "Ce Soir Avec Arthur" were played side by side they were virtually identical.

The New York Times - Arts

Church and state became so closely associated that they were virtually identical, as in the cases of the sacred and secular in preliterate societies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are virtually identical" when you want to emphasize a very high degree of similarity that is practically indistinguishable for a given purpose, but you want to avoid a claim of absolute identity.

Common error

Avoid using "they are virtually identical" when there are significant or relevant differences between the items being compared. Overstating similarity can be misleading or inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are virtually identical" functions as a predicate adjective that describes the subject (they) by asserting a high degree of similarity or near-equivalence. Ludwig confirms its proper use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they are virtually identical" is a versatile expression used to convey a strong degree of similarity between two or more entities, acknowledging that minor differences might exist but are negligible for practical purposes. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used across different contexts. It's most common in science and news media, where precise comparisons are frequent. When writing, it's important to ensure that the comparison is accurate and the degree of similarity is not overstated. Alternatives such as "they are almost identical" or "they are nearly the same" can be used to soften the claim. Remember, this expression is suitable for both formal and informal contexts as confirmed by the Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are almost identical

Replaces "virtually" with "almost", softening the degree of similarity.

they are nearly identical

Substitutes "virtually" with "nearly", indicating a slight difference may exist.

they are practically identical

Replaces "virtually" with "practically", focusing on functional equivalence.

they are indistinguishable

Highlights the difficulty in telling them apart.

they are essentially the same

Shifts focus to the core essence being equal, rather than precise details.

they are effectively the same

Focuses on the outcome or result being the same, despite potential differences in process.

they are much alike

Uses a simpler construction, indicating a high degree of similarity without implying perfect equivalence.

they mirror each other

Emphasizes a direct correspondence or reflection of one another.

they are very similar

Indicates a high degree of resemblance but allows for notable differences.

they are comparable

States that a valid comparison can be made, often implying close similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "they are virtually identical" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to express that two or more things are so similar that the differences are negligible for a specific context. For example, "The two candidates' platforms on education "are virtually identical"."

What are some alternatives to "they are virtually identical"?

You can use alternatives like "they are almost identical", "they are nearly the same", or "they are indistinguishable" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "they are virtually identical" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific, technical, or analytical contexts where precise comparison is important. The phrase is well documented by Ludwig AI.

What is the difference between saying "they are identical" and "they are virtually identical"?

Saying "they are identical" implies perfect equivalence in every aspect. Using "they are virtually identical" suggests a very high degree of similarity, acknowledging that minor, perhaps irrelevant, differences may exist. It is a more nuanced and often more accurate way to describe similarity.