virtually identical to

USAGE SUMMARY

"virtually identical to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe two things that are almost exactly the same, but not quite. For example, "The two paintings were virtually identical to each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Engine virtually identical to the Citroën's.

Independent

(Psalm 18 is virtually identical to David's song).

The New Yorker

The Russian action was virtually identical to the American move.

The New York Times

Parts of it virtually identical to Obama's failed policy.

The New York Times

The wording was virtually identical to a statement in 1998.

The New York Times - Sports

The resulting chemicals are virtually identical to their synthetic cousins.

The New York Times

The terms of the two deals are virtually identical to the tentative agreements reached last week.

The New York Times

And one balafon pattern was virtually identical to the piano vamps, or montunos, used in salsa.

The New York Times - Arts

The arguments against DOMA are virtually identical to the arguments against bans on same-sex marriage.

The New Yorker

The French air-traffic-control system is virtually identical to the American system.

The New Yorker

The embryos, and the stem cells derived, would be virtually identical to cells in the patient.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "virtually identical to", ensure that the context clarifies what specific aspects are nearly the same. This adds precision and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually identical to" when there are significant or relevant differences. This phrase implies a very high degree of resemblance, so ensure that the differences are truly minor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually identical to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, typically used to describe a subject's resemblance to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a high degree of similarity, as shown in Ludwig's provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually identical to" is a widely used and grammatically correct construction for expressing a high degree of similarity between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is appropriate across various contexts, from formal writing to news reporting, though it's crucial to ensure that the differences are indeed minor to avoid overstatement. The phrase’s prevalence in reputable sources like The New York Times and scientific journals underscores its reliability and broad acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost the same as

Emphasizes a high degree of similarity with only minor differences.

nearly identical to

Suggests a very close match, but acknowledges a slight possibility of some difference.

practically the same as

Highlights that the differences are so small they are negligible for most purposes.

essentially equivalent to

Focuses on the functional equivalence, even if there are superficial differences.

tantamount to

Indicates an equivalence in effect or consequence.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance or similarity in nature or qualities.

comparable to

Implies that the items can be fairly compared due to significant similarities.

much the same as

A more informal way of saying almost the same.

analogous to

Suggests a similarity that allows for drawing parallels or making comparisons.

reminiscent of

Indicates a similarity that evokes a memory or association.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually identical to" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually identical to" to describe two things that are almost, but not completely, the same. For example, "The two reports were "virtually identical to" each other in their conclusions".

What's the difference between "virtually identical to" and "exactly the same as"?

"Virtually identical to" means nearly the same, with very minor differences. "Exactly the same as" implies complete and total equivalence. If there are any differences at all, ""virtually identical to"" is the more accurate choice.

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "almost the same as", "nearly identical to", or "practically the same as".

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

Yes, ""virtually identical to"" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. It's a clear and widely understood way to express a high degree of similarity.