very same

USAGE SUMMARY

"very same" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is exactly the same as something else. For example: "She wore the very same dress she had worn to the party last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The very same problem.

The New York Times

Yes, the very same.

The Guardian - Opinion

Born on the very same day Feb.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And on the very same morning.

The New Yorker

Anderson was undertaking the very same thing.

The New Yorker

And on that very same morning".

The New Yorker

The very same, dear reader.

The Guardian - Sport

It's still the very same body.

Yale University

It's still the very same physical object.

Yale University

but we share the very same vein.

The New Yorker

Instead we get the very same.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting two similar but distinct items, avoid "very same"; instead, use phrases like "similar to" or "resembles".

Common error

Avoid using "very same" when a simple "same" suffices. Overusing "very" can make your writing sound unnatural and verbose. For instance, instead of saying, "They went to the very same store", "They went to the same store" is often more concise and effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very same" functions as an intensified adjective, emphasizing that something is identical to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English, adding emphasis to the sameness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very same" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to emphasize the identical nature of two things, providing clarity and precluding ambiguity. While appropriate for various contexts, it is particularly effective in formal writing, especially in news and academic settings. For alternatives, consider using phrases like "exactly the same" or "precisely the same" to achieve a similar level of emphasis. Remember to avoid overusing "very same" in simple comparisons where "same" is sufficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exactly the same

Replaces "very" with "exactly" for emphasis on sameness.

precisely the same

Uses "precisely" to highlight the accuracy of the sameness.

the identical

Uses a noun phrase to emphasize complete likeness.

the selfsame

Employs an archaic term to denote identity.

a carbon copy

Implies a perfect duplication or replica.

that very one

Points to a specific item that is the same as previously mentioned.

that's it exactly

Expresses agreement or confirmation of something being precisely correct or the same.

the spitting image

Offers an idiomatic expression for exact resemblance, often visually.

the equivalent

Indicates something that serves the same purpose or function.

the like

A shortened, informal way of indicating similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "very same" in a sentence?

Use "very same" to emphasize the identical nature of something compared to a previous reference. Example: "She wore the "very same" dress to both events."

What's a good alternative to "very same"?

Consider using "exactly the same", "precisely the same", or "the selfsame" for similar emphasis, depending on the context.

Is "very same" formal or informal?

"Very same" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, its impact is stronger in formal writing where emphasis is needed.

Can I use "very same" to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "very same" can describe abstract concepts as long as you're emphasizing their identical nature. For example, "They faced the "very same" challenges as their predecessors."