were exactly the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were exactly the same" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more things are identical in every aspect or detail. Example: "The two reports were exactly the same, leading to confusion among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The two experiences were exactly the same.

Independent

The cloud and the tumor were exactly the same color.

The New Yorker

"His views were exactly the same as they are now.

The New Yorker

But Paula and I were exactly the same.

The Guardian - Books

The experiment was done again in 2007, and the results were exactly the same.

The Guardian - Opinion

The last dozen messages on the screen were exactly the same.

The New York Times - Health

"The principles of deflection shooting against wildfowl and airplanes were exactly the same," he said.

The New York Times

I would say that no two times were exactly the same," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Marie believed that her own sins were exactly the same as everybody else's sins.

The New Yorker

The bikes were exactly the same as the bikes that I ride.

The New York Times

"The stories about her mother-in-law were exactly the same but you didn't have the crackling fireplace".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were exactly the same", ensure the context clearly establishes what items or concepts are being compared. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "were exactly the same" when a more nuanced comparison is appropriate. If items share key similarities but have minor differences, phrases like "were very similar" or "were largely the same" may be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were exactly the same" functions as a comparative statement indicating complete equivalence between two or more entities. It is used to assert that there are no discernible differences between the subjects being compared, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were exactly the same" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that two or more things are completely identical. As evidenced by Ludwig, its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being compared, and avoid using it when the items are only similar, not identical. Remember that while "were the same" is acceptable, adding "exactly" emphasizes the completeness of the identity. "Were exactly the same" is most frequently used in scientific and news contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were completely identical

Emphasizes the completeness of the identity between the items, replacing 'exactly' with 'completely' and 'same' with 'identical'.

were perfectly alike

Uses 'perfectly alike' to underscore the absence of any differences.

were indistinguishable

Focuses on the inability to tell the difference between the items.

were virtually identical

Indicates a very high degree of similarity, close to being the same but allowing for minor differences.

were equivalent

Expresses equality in value, amount, or meaning.

were uniform

Implies a consistent and unvarying state across all instances.

were of one accord

Emphasizes agreement or unity, more suited to describing opinions or actions.

were a carbon copy

Suggests an exact duplicate, highlighting replication.

were twins

Uses a metaphorical comparison to twins to convey close similarity.

mirrored each other

Suggests that the items reflected each other perfectly, implying visual similarity or resemblance.

FAQs

How can I use "were exactly the same" in a sentence?

You can use "were exactly the same" to indicate that two or more things are identical in every aspect or detail. For example, "The two reports "were exactly the same", leading to confusion among the team members."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "were exactly the same"?

Alternatives include "were completely identical", "were perfectly alike", or "were indistinguishable", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "were exactly the same"? Can I just say "were the same"?

While "were the same" is acceptable, "were exactly the same" emphasizes the completeness of the identity. The inclusion of "exactly" reinforces that there are no differences whatsoever.

What is the difference between "were similar" and "were exactly the same"?

"Were similar" indicates that items share some characteristics but are not identical. "Were exactly the same" means the items are identical in every way. Using "were similar" is more appropriate when minor differences exist.