were identical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were identical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more things were the same in some way in the past. Example: "The two reports were identical in their findings, leading to the same conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were identical twins but didn't photograph identically.

The Guardian - Music

They were identical.

The New York Times - Books

The keys were identical.

The Guardian - Opinion

The verdicts were identical.

The New York Times

The dimensions were identical.

The New York Times - Arts

The patterns were identical.

The New York Times - Health

The voices were identical.

The New York Times

The tales were identical".

The Guardian - Books

"Our family values were identical.

The New Yorker

So, once again, the outcomes were identical.

The Economist

Their photographs and Bertillon measurements were identical.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were identical", ensure that the context clearly defines what aspects are identical. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "The cars were identical", specify "The cars were identical in make, model and year."

Common error

Avoid using "were identical" when describing things that are merely very similar. "Identical" implies a perfect match in all relevant aspects. If there are even minor differences, use terms like "were very similar" or "were nearly identical" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were identical" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. It indicates that two or more entities shared precisely the same characteristics at some point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were identical" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a complete sameness between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function as a predicate adjective is clear and its applications are versatile, ranging from scientific reports to casual conversation. While alternatives like "were the same" exist, the key is to specify what aspects "were identical" to avoid ambiguity and prevent overstatement. With that being said, make sure that you do not abuse of the phrase as there are other perfectly valid that can be used instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were the same

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way of expressing that two or more things were not different.

were exactly alike

This alternative emphasizes the precise similarity between the subjects.

were indistinguishable

This alternative emphasizes that it was impossible to tell the difference between the subjects.

matched perfectly

This alternative implies a precise agreement or correspondence between the subjects.

were virtually the same

This alternative suggests a close similarity, although possibly not an exact one.

were duplicates

This alternative implies that one is an exact copy of the other.

were carbon copies

This alternative is an informal way of saying that things were exactly the same.

were twins

This alternative implies an intimate connection and likeness.

were homogeneous

This alternative emphasizes uniformity and consistency.

were interchangeable

This alternative indicates that the things could be used in place of each other without any difference.

FAQs

How can I use "were identical" in a sentence?

You can use "were identical" to describe two or more things that shared the same set of characteristics. For instance: "The twins' DNA samples "were identical"".

What's the difference between "were identical" and "were similar"?

"Were identical" means having precisely the same characteristics. "Were similar" means having some characteristics in common, but not all. Therefore, "were identical" implies a much closer match than "were similar".

Which is correct, "were identical" or "was identical"?

The correct form depends on the number of subjects. Use "were identical" when referring to two or more subjects, and "was identical" when referring to a single subject.

What can I say instead of "were identical"?

You can use alternatives like "were the same", "were exactly alike", or "were indistinguishable" depending on the context.