was essentially identical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was essentially identical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more things that are very similar or the same in most important aspects. Example: "The two reports were analyzed, and it was found that the findings were essentially identical."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The growth was essentially identical in the 11-nation group that has adopted the euro as a common currency.

The New York Times

Opposition to the NPT was essentially identical regardless of whether participants read about Trump or Evans supporting nuclear proliferation.

The Washington Post

The particle size and size distribution was essentially identical to that obtained in the absence of CBr4.

Polymer

Scientists also confirmed that the strain responsible for the outbreak at the Bernard Matthews plant was "essentially identical" to the virus in Hungary.

The Guardian

With an estimated low-field liquid-state 13C T1 of 40 s, the extrapolated 13C polarization just after melting was essentially identical to the measured solid-state polarization.

Nature

The law, requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, was essentially identical to one in Texas that the justices struck down in 2016.

The New York Times

A comparison of the high-resolution C 1s spectra of the two materials provided strong evidence that the GO in both cases was essentially identical (Fig. 7a, b).

Nature

Importantly, Eisenberg said, "The rest of the cell contents don't obscure the results". In addition, the 3-D structure of proteins obtained from the crystals in living bacteria cells was essentially identical to that obtained through other methods.

Stanford University

But now Mr. Obama, who just two weeks ago was telling audiences that his plan was essentially identical to the Edwards and Clinton plans, is attacking his rivals and claiming that his plan is superior.

The New York Times

Government scientists yesterday confirmed that the strain of bird flu responsible for the outbreak of the disease at the plant was "essentially identical" to the virus found in Hungary.

The Guardian

The method determining chain-length distribution of starch was essentially identical to the procedure described by Fujita et al. (2012).

Rice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was essentially identical" when highlighting that two or more things are so similar that their differences are negligible for the purpose of your discussion. Ensure the context makes it clear what aspects are considered identical.

Common error

Avoid using "was essentially identical" if there are significant differences that impact the overall outcome or understanding. Misleading readers with a phrase that suggests near-perfect similarity when notable discrepancies exist can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was essentially identical" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating a high degree of similarity between two or more entities. Ludwig provides numerous examples in scientific and news contexts, highlighting its utility in describing near-equivalence. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was essentially identical" is a versatile phrase used to describe a high degree of similarity, where any differences are considered negligible. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in academic, scientific, and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what aspects are considered identical and avoid overstating the similarity if significant discrepancies exist. Ludwig's examples and analysis highlight the importance of precise language in conveying comparative information, ensuring clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was virtually the same

Uses 'virtually' to emphasize near-identity, differing in the degree of exactness.

was practically identical

Replaces 'essentially' with 'practically' which implies a close similarity in a practical sense.

was almost the same

Uses 'almost' to indicate a slight difference where 'essentially' implies negligible differences.

was substantially similar

Substitutes 'essentially identical' with 'substantially similar', emphasizing a significant degree of likeness, but not necessarily complete equivalence.

was largely indistinguishable

Focuses on the difficulty of telling the difference, altering the perspective from inherent similarity to perceived likeness.

was effectively equivalent

Emphasizes functional equivalence rather than direct similarity, changing the focus to outcome.

was nearly alike

Simplifies the language while retaining the core meaning of close resemblance.

bore a close resemblance

Shifts the sentence structure to emphasize the resemblance, altering the grammatical construction.

mirrored closely

Implies an exact reflection or correspondence, which changes the nuance from similarity to mirroring.

was on a par with

Focuses on equality in terms of quality or status, slightly shifting the meaning from identity to equivalence.

FAQs

How can I use "was essentially identical" in a sentence?

Use "was essentially identical" to indicate that two items or concepts are very similar in their most important aspects. For example, "The results of the two experiments "was essentially identical", suggesting a strong correlation".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "was essentially identical"?

Some alternatives include "was virtually the same", "was practically identical", or "was substantially similar", each varying slightly in nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "was essentially identical" in formal writing?

Yes, "was essentially identical" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in scientific or technical contexts where precise comparisons are necessary. However, consider the audience and choose the phrasing that best conveys the intended level of similarity.

What is the difference between "was essentially identical" and "was exactly identical"?

"Was exactly identical" means there are no differences whatsoever. "Was essentially identical" implies that while there might be minor differences, they are insignificant for the purpose being discussed. The former asserts complete equivalence, while the latter allows for negligible variations.