they were identical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were identical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe two or more items, people, or concepts that are exactly the same in appearance, characteristics, or qualities. Example: "The twins were so alike that many people often remarked that they were identical."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were identical twins but didn't photograph identically.

The Guardian - Music

However, with exception of a single patient, patients understood both wordings of the scale, thought they were identical, and could answer the question identically with either response scale.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

They were identical.

The New York Times - Books

ber's formula with Einstein's, showing that they were identical.

Princeton University

If they were identical, you wouldn't need them both".

The Guardian

"Yet for too long government policy has treated every place as if they were identical.

The Guardian - Business

It charged twice the price of the regular packets of Nurofen but they were identical products.

The Guardian - Business

He examined both under the microscope: good, they were identical; he could leave in tranquillity.

The New Yorker

Then she studied both signatures, to make sure that they were identical.

The New York Times

These two views, precisely because they were identical, were totally incompatible.

Britannica

All participants then viewed new geometric pairs and indicated whether they were identical or different.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were identical" to emphasize that there are no discernible differences between the subjects being compared. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they were identical" when describing things that are merely very similar. Reserve it for situations where the subjects are truly indistinguishable in all relevant aspects. Use alternatives like "they were similar" or "they were alike" for less precise comparisons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were identical" functions as a descriptive statement. It asserts a complete equivalence between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in scientific, news, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were identical" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that two or more entities are exactly the same. As shown by Ludwig, it is widely used in various contexts, including science, news, and general writing. While versatile, it's crucial to reserve its use for scenarios where the entities are truly indistinguishable, avoiding overuse for mere similarity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is a good choice for writers. Alternatives like "they were the same" or "they were indistinguishable" can be used to add variety or nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were the same

Simple substitution of 'identical' with 'same', maintaining the core meaning of equivalence.

they were indistinguishable

Emphasizes the difficulty in discerning any differences between the subjects.

they were alike

A more general term for similarity, but in some contexts can imply near-identity.

they were equivalent

Highlights functional or qualitative equivalence rather than just appearance.

they matched perfectly

Suggests a precise correspondence or alignment.

they were carbon copies

Implies an exact reproduction or imitation.

they were duplicates

Indicates that one is an exact copy of the other.

they were uniform

Focuses on the lack of variation within a group.

they corresponded exactly

Stresses a precise agreement or parallel.

they mirrored each other

Suggests a reflection of one in the other, implying strong similarity.

FAQs

What does "they were identical" mean?

The phrase "they were identical" means that two or more things are exactly the same, with no discernible differences between them.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "they were identical"?

Use "they were identical" when you want to emphasize that there are no differences between two or more things. It's best suited for situations where the subjects are truly indistinguishable.

What are some alternatives to saying "they were identical"?

Alternatives include phrases like "they were the same", "they were indistinguishable", or "they were alike", depending on the context.

Is "they were identical" formal or informal?

"They were identical" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the specific subject matter than the setting.