virtually indistinguishable from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually indistinguishable from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two things that are so similar that they cannot be easily differentiated. Example: "The two products are virtually indistinguishable from each other, making it difficult for consumers to choose between them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One is virtually indistinguishable from the other.

Britannica

"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

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 look and quality the orchestra and chorus were virtually indistinguishable from high-end Western counterparts.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually indistinguishable from" when you want to emphasize that two things are so similar that any differences are negligible for practical purposes. For example, "The prototype is "virtually indistinguishable from" the final product, ensuring a smooth transition to manufacturing."

Common error

Avoid using "virtually indistinguishable from" when there are significant, albeit subtle, differences. Ensure that the context warrants the strong claim of near-identity; otherwise, use weaker terms like "similar to" or "resembles".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually indistinguishable from" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that it shares almost all qualities with another noun, to the point where they are very difficult to tell apart. Ludwig AI confirms that is grammaticaly correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually indistinguishable from" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that conveys a very high degree of similarity between two things. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, with a predominant presence in News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "almost identical to" and "nearly the same as" exist, "virtually indistinguishable from" effectively communicates that any differences are minimal and practically negligible. When writing, ensure the context supports the claim of near-identity to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical to

Emphasizes near-perfect similarity but allows for minor differences.

nearly the same as

Highlights a close resemblance with minimal variation.

practically equivalent to

Focuses on functional equivalence despite potential superficial differences.

for all intents and purposes the same as

Indicates that any differences are inconsequential in practice.

tantamount to

Suggests an equivalent effect or outcome.

cannot be differentiated from

Highlights the inability to perceive any distinction between the items.

substantially similar to

Highlights the high degree of similarity with limited differences.

effectively the same as

Implies functional equivalence despite possible minor variations.

akin to

Indicates a resemblance in qualities or character.

much like

Simple and direct way to express similarity.

FAQs

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

Use "virtually indistinguishable from" to describe two things that are so alike that it's hard to tell them apart. For instance, "The two versions of the software are "virtually indistinguishable from" each other".

What phrases are similar to "virtually indistinguishable from"?

Alternatives include "almost identical to", "nearly the same as", or "practically equivalent to". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "virtually indistinguishable from" rather than "similar to"?

"Virtually indistinguishable from" implies a much higher degree of similarity than "similar to". Use it when differences are so minor they are negligible. For example, a high-resolution copy might be "virtually indistinguishable from" the original, while two related concepts are only similar.

Is "virtually indistinguishable from" an overused phrase?

While "virtually indistinguishable from" is a common phrase, it's not necessarily overused if applied correctly. Overusing any phrase can diminish its impact, so consider synonyms like "almost identical to" or "effectively the same as" to add variety.