virtually the same height

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually the same height" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the heights of two or more objects or individuals that are very close in measurement but not exactly the same. Example: "The two buildings are virtually the same height, making them appear equally imposing on the skyline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mack and I were nearly the same height.

The New Yorker

They're the same age, and about the same height, at least.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Randi and I are about the same height.

Huffington Post

The upshot: Inflation should have produced spacetime wiggles across a huge range of wavelengths, each with nearly the same height, yet not exactly the same height.

Huffington Post

Roll the dough to an even height, about the same height as shortbread cookies.

WikiHow

The flowers should be about the same height and width.

WikiHow

They are roughly the same height.

The New Yorker

It appeared Roger and I were the same height.

The New York Times - Magazine

The court's still the same size, the rims are still the same height".

The New York Times - Sports

This throws 1 Undershaft's proposed height of 309.6m (the same height as the Shard) into serious doubt.

The Guardian - Arts

Both are haughty and proud, the same height, the same size.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing heights, use "virtually the same height" to indicate that the difference is negligible and doesn't significantly impact the comparison being made.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually the same height" when there is a noticeable height difference. "Virtually" implies the difference is so small that it is almost nonexistent. If the heights are just generally similar, use phrases like "roughly the same height" or "of similar height" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually the same height" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its height in comparison to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's acceptable in written English, indicating that two entities are nearly equal in height.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually the same height" is used to describe objects or people with heights that are almost identical. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. The phrase functions as an adjectival phrase used to modify nouns and often appears in news, wiki and science contexts. When employing this expression, ensure the height difference is genuinely negligible; otherwise, alternatives like "roughly the same height" or "similar height" may be more appropriate. The most authoritative sources include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical height

Replaces "virtually" with "almost" and "same" with "identical", emphasizing the close similarity.

practically the same height

Substitutes "virtually" with "practically", indicating a very close approximation.

nearly the same height

Replaces "virtually" with "nearly", suggesting a slight deviation but still very close.

essentially the same height

Uses "essentially" instead of "virtually", focusing on the fundamental similarity.

almost exactly the same height

Adds "exactly" to reinforce the idea of minimal difference.

roughly the same height

Replaces "virtually" with "roughly", indicating an approximation.

more or less the same height

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the similarity.

of comparable height

Uses a more formal tone to indicate similarity in height.

of similar height

A general way to indicate that the heights are alike.

approximately the same height

Uses "approximately" instead of "virtually" to show heights are close.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually the same height" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually the same height" to describe objects or people whose heights are so close that the difference is insignificant. For example, "The two buildings were "virtually the same height", making them appear as one structure on the skyline".

What's the difference between "virtually the same height" and "approximately the same height"?

"Virtually the same height" implies a very slight difference, almost negligible. "Approximately the same height" suggests the heights are close, but the difference may be more noticeable than with "virtually". The choice depends on the context and the degree of precision you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "virtually the same height"?

You can use alternatives like "almost identical height", "practically the same height", or "nearly the same height" depending on the context and the degree of similarity you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "virtually the same height" when referring to non-physical objects?

While "virtually the same height" is typically used for physical objects, you can extend its use to abstract concepts if you're making an analogy to height. For example, you might say, "Their influence in the company is "virtually the same height"," implying their levels of influence are almost equal.