was almost the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was almost the same" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two things are very similar but not identical. Example: "The two paintings were almost the same, differing only in the color of the sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The auction was almost the same at both tables.

The New York Times

"It was almost the same as this," he says.

The Guardian

"It was almost the same" as Saturday, Rivera said.

The New York Times - Sports

The style of torture was almost the same.

The Guardian

And there it was—almost the same meal twice in less than two weeks.

The New York Times

Their facial structure was almost the same as mine, or maybe just like mine.

The New Yorker

"It was almost the same kind of thing, which stinks," said Oudin.

The New York Times

"It was almost the same thing from every individual," Dr. Ouriel said.

The New York Times

"It was almost the same way for us as for the others," Agnieszka said.

The New York Times - Sports

This group was almost the same as before.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

For other cases, the activity was almost the same.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was almost the same" to accurately convey that two things are not exactly identical, but share significant similarities. This avoids overstating their likeness while still emphasizing their resemblance.

Common error

Avoid using "was almost the same" when the differences are significant. Opt for phrases like "was somewhat similar" or "had some similarities" to more accurately reflect the degree of resemblance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was almost the same" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating a high degree of similarity between two or more entities. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts to highlight near-equivalence without complete identity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was almost the same" serves as a useful tool for expressing a near-identical state between two or more subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in both scientific and news contexts. While it indicates a strong similarity, it subtly acknowledges that the subjects are not completely identical. For situations where exact equality is meant, using "was exactly the same" is more appropriate; otherwise, "was almost the same" provides a balanced and accurate description of near-equivalence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was virtually identical

Emphasizes that the difference is so small it's practically nonexistent.

was nearly identical

Highlights the close similarity with only minor deviations.

was very similar

Indicates a strong resemblance but allows for more noticeable differences.

was much alike

Suggests a close correspondence in nature or characteristics.

bore a close resemblance

Focuses on the visual or superficial similarities between two things.

was substantially similar

Highlights that the most important aspects were alike.

was largely the same

Indicates that the majority of features or aspects were identical.

was comparable

Suggests that the two things are similar enough to be compared.

was akin to

Implies a similarity in spirit, character, or quality.

shared many similarities

Highlights that multiple points of comparison are alike.

FAQs

What does "was almost the same" mean?

The phrase "was almost the same" indicates that two or more things are very similar but not completely identical. The differences are minor, but noticeable enough to prevent them from being considered the same.

What can I say instead of "was almost the same"?

You can use alternatives like "was nearly identical", "was very similar", or "was virtually identical" depending on the context and the degree of similarity you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "was almost the same"?

It's appropriate to use "was almost the same" when describing situations, objects, or concepts that share many similarities but have distinct differences. This is suitable when the likeness is more important than the differences for the purpose of your writing.

What's the difference between "was almost the same" and "was exactly the same"?

"Was almost the same" implies slight differences exist, while "was exactly the same" indicates complete identity. For example, "The two recipes were almost the same, differing only in the type of spice used" versus "The two recipes were exactly the same, following identical steps and ingredients."