virtually the same size

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually the same size" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two objects or entities that are almost identical in size, with only minor differences. Example: "The two containers are virtually the same size, making them interchangeable for this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The XG300 seems to be aimed directly at the Maxima, and is virtually the same size.

The New York Times

"The two were virtually the same size," said Mr. Charlton-Jones.

The New York Times - Arts

They were virtually the same size, and though Caesar came to battle with more muscle, Pancho had more heart.

The New Yorker

During the next century, technology slowed and rackets remained virtually the same size: weighing 13 to 14 ounces with 65 square inches of hitting surface.

The New York Times - Sports

Chrysler had been weak in those areas but has now caught up -- aware, no doubt, that soccer moms are not content merely to move the team from Point A to Point B. While there are some smaller vans -- like the Mazda MPV, Nissan Quest and short-wheelbase versions of Chrysler and G.M. models -- the top sellers are virtually the same size.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The new office was about the same size as the old one and had virtually the same furnishing.

The New York Times - Health

It is virtually certain that Mr. Brooks is concentrating on executives outside Interpublic -- and probably from agency companies about the same size as Interpublic: the Omnicom Group in New York and the WPP Group in London.

The New York Times

Competing vans are about the same size.

The New York Times

About the same size as Croydon".

The Guardian

Both are about the same size.

The New York Times - Sports

"This project is almost the same size.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually the same size", ensure that the context clarifies the specific dimensions or aspects of size being compared for clarity. Avoid ambiguity by specifying if you mean height, width, volume, etc.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually the same size" when the items being compared have significant size differences. 'Virtually' implies only minor discrepancies, so choose a different phrase if the difference is noticeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually the same size" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its dimensions. It's used to indicate that two or more items have extremely similar, though not perfectly identical, sizes. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually the same size" is a grammatically sound and usable adjectival phrase used to compare items with nearly identical dimensions. While the examples extracted by Ludwig show that it's relatively rare, Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct in written English. It finds primary usage in the News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the similarity is high, as it implies only slight differences. Alternatives like "almost identical size" or "nearly the same size" can be used to achieve a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical size

Emphasizes near perfect similarity but uses different wording.

nearly the same dimensions

Focuses on dimensions instead of general size.

practically equal in size

Highlights the equality aspect using 'practically'.

essentially the same proportions

Shifts focus slightly to proportions rather than absolute size.

roughly equivalent size

Indicates an approximate equivalence, allowing for some variation.

comparable dimensions

Emphasizes comparability using dimensions as a measuring aspect.

much the same size

Replaces 'virtually' with 'much' for a slight nuance shift.

close to the same size

Uses a more informal tone, highlighting proximity in size.

nearly identical measurements

Emphasizes exact measurements, suggesting a high level of precision.

about the same size

Reduces the strength of the statement with 'about', implying a looser similarity.

FAQs

What does "virtually the same size" mean?

The phrase "virtually the same size" means that two or more things are almost, but not completely, the same size. The difference is so small that it's negligible for practical purposes.

Which is correct: "virtually the same size" or "almost the same size"?

Both "virtually the same size" and "almost the same size" are correct. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis; 'virtually' suggests an even higher degree of similarity than 'almost'.

How to use "virtually the same size" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually the same size" to compare the dimensions or volume of different objects. For example, "The two rooms are virtually the same size, so they can be used interchangeably."

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

Alternatives include "nearly the same size", "almost identical size", or "roughly the same size" depending on the specific context and the degree of similarity you want to convey.