wholly identical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly identical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more things that are completely the same in every aspect. Example: "The two documents were found to be wholly identical, with no differences in content or formatting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The conception of the divine as an individual or self represents the extreme of transcendence, since God is taken as not wholly identical with either the world or any finite reality within it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The divine is said to transcend humanity and the world when it is viewed as distinct from both and not wholly identical with either; the divine is said to be immanent when it is viewed as wholly or partially identical with some reality within the world, such as humanity or the cosmic order.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In light of this, Schopenhauer sometimes expresses the view that the thing-in-itself is multidimensional, and although the thing-in-itself is not wholly identical to the world as Will, it nonetheless includes as its manifestations, the world as Will and the world as representation.

SEP

Although it is not necessary to assume that the processes involved in working memory and episodic memory are wholly identical, a full account of parietal lobe memory mechanisms will need to accommodate both short-delay and long-delay memory deficits.

Cerebral Cortex

What, then, is their relationship to the localized neurodegeneration we observe in the MB? Presumably, the age-related pathology we observe throughout the brain cannot be wholly identical to the Cdk5-associated processes occurring in the MB, because the large-scale tissue disruption and accumulated holes we detect in the MB of the mutant do not occur in the wild type at any age.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

One surprising implication of Dancy's suggestion is that two possible worlds could be wholly non-ethically identical, but be such that Doris' action is brave in the first world, but not brave in the second.

SEP

He shows me an astonishing image - identical yet wholly different.

The Guardian - Arts

(4) plausibly classifies being Obama as extrinsic since the ascription of being Obama to Clinton, namely the state of affairs of Obama being identical to Clinton, is not wholly about Clinton, but is also about Obama.

SEP

As a model for feminist work, this notion of transcendence is dialectically related to immanence, neither dissolved into it as identical, nor divorced from it as wholly other.

SEP

Since these strategies are wholly cooperative in the absence of defectors, each receives an identical payoff in these states.

Biology and Philosophy

Moral properties, on this view, are not identical with natural or descriptive properties, although they may be wholly constituted by them.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wholly identical", ensure that the context supports the idea of complete and absolute equivalence. It's best suited for situations where precision is important, such as scientific or legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly identical" when describing things that are merely very similar. This phrase implies a level of exactness that might not always be accurate or necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly identical" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that two or more entities are completely and absolutely the same, with no discernible differences. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

40%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wholly identical" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to indicate complete and absolute equivalence. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct, though its use is relatively rare, primarily appearing in scientific and encyclopedic contexts. When using "wholly identical", ensure it reflects a perfect match without any differences, and consider alternatives like "completely the same" for broader application. Avoid using it when describing near-identical items to prevent overstating the level of equivalence. While the examples are limited, the phrase remains precise and useful in contexts demanding accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exactly identical

Reinforces the concept of identity with an additional emphasis on precision and lack of variation.

completely the same

Emphasizes the absence of any difference, focusing on sameness in all aspects.

totally equivalent

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the equivalence, suggesting that everything about the two items is interchangeable.

precisely the same

Underscores the exactness of the match, emphasizing that there are no deviations.

entirely equivalent

Highlights the interchangeability of two things, suggesting they are equal in value or function.

absolutely equal

Highlights the equality in measure, quantity, or quality, focusing on comparable attributes.

perfectly alike

Stresses the lack of any distinguishable features, suggesting a match in appearance or characteristics.

indistinguishable from

Focuses on the inability to tell the difference between two items, implying a very close resemblance.

fully congruent

Used particularly in mathematical or formal contexts to describe perfect overlap or correspondence.

veritably identical

Adds a layer of confirmation to the identity, indicating that it is true and without question.

FAQs

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

Use "wholly identical" to describe two or more things that are completely the same in every aspect. For example: "The two fingerprints found at the scene were "wholly identical", confirming the suspect's presence."

What are some alternatives to "wholly identical"?

Some alternatives to "wholly identical" include "completely the same", "entirely equivalent", or "exactly identical". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "wholly identical" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "wholly identical" is more suited to formal or technical contexts where precision is valued. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "exactly the same" or "completely alike" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "wholly identical" and "nearly identical"?

"Wholly identical" means there is absolutely no difference, while "nearly identical" implies a very slight difference exists. Use "wholly identical" only when there is a perfect match.