virtually indistinguishable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually indistinguishable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more things that are so similar that they cannot be easily differentiated from one another. Example: "The two products are virtually indistinguishable in terms of quality and performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The drawings and photographs were virtually indistinguishable from one another".

The New York Times

It has become virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.

The New Yorker

But in design, the two are virtually indistinguishable.

The New York Times

One set of cremated remains is virtually indistinguishable from another.

The New York Times

The looks can make mothers virtually indistinguishable from their children.

The New York Times

Taiwan's claims in the South China Sea are often regarded as virtually indistinguishable from China's.

Stanford University

It should: the concept of an ESS is virtually indistinguishable from an economist's concept of equilibrium.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The model is virtually indistinguishable from other well-known models at low strain.

Polymer

Inside and out, they are virtually indistinguishable from a small suburban tract house.

The New York Times

In fact, testing and marketing are virtually indistinguishable from one another.

Harvard Business Review

In many countries around the world the challenges are virtually indistinguishable.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "virtually indistinguishable" to add a nuanced perspective; it acknowledges minor disparities while emphasizing overall similarity. It is not fully identical, but from a practical point of view it is.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually indistinguishable" when the items are truly identical. This phrase indicates a very high degree of similarity, but acknowledges that there are minor differences. Using it to describe exact matches undermines the phrase's precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually indistinguishable" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating a very high degree of similarity. Ludwig examples show it is used to emphasize that differences are so minimal as to be practically imperceptible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually indistinguishable" is a grammatically correct and widely used adjective phrase, signifying an extremely high degree of similarity with only minor differences. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's common across news, science, and academic contexts. It is employed to convey that disparities are so slight they are practically imperceptible, emphasizing functional equivalence. When using this expression, clarify the basis for comparison to avoid ambiguity and remember it is not used if the items are in fact identical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly identical

Indicates a very small difference; suggests they are almost the same, but not perfectly.

almost the same

Implies a very high level of similarity with minor differences.

practically equivalent

Emphasizes that the things are functionally equal despite possible superficial differences.

tantamount to

Highlights an equivalence in effect or value.

functionally equivalent

Highlights they perform the same job or have the same effect.

substantially similar

Indicates a high degree of likeness with any differences being non-essential.

effectively identical

Suggests that for all practical purposes, the items are the same.

comparable to

Highlights a likeness that invites direct comparison.

much alike

Indicates a general resemblance between things.

not far apart

Suggests a closeness but not necessarily an identity.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually indistinguishable" in a sentence?

Use "virtually indistinguishable" to describe items or concepts that are extremely similar but not completely identical. For example, "The two prototypes were "virtually indistinguishable", differing only in minor details."

What can I say instead of "virtually indistinguishable"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly identical", "almost the same", or "practically equivalent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "virtually indistinguishable"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It indicates that two or more things are so alike that differentiating them is extremely difficult.

What is the difference between "virtually indistinguishable" and "identical"?

"Virtually indistinguishable" implies a very high degree of similarity with minor, often imperceptible, differences. "Identical", on the other hand, means exactly the same in every aspect. Something that is "virtually indistinguishable" is not exactly identical, but the difference is so small it’s hard to notice.