Cool MateSame thing pretty much vs Similar
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Same thing pretty much
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Similar
Top 2,000 (common)A1adjective
Most formal: Similar
| Same thing pretty much | Similar | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //seɪm θɪŋ ˈprɪti mʌʧ//🇺🇸 //seɪm θɪŋ ˈprɪti mʌtʃ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪmələ(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪmələr/"]/ |
| Meaning | Almost the same idea or point. | Almost the same as something else. |
| Example | That's a great idea, and it's the same thing pretty much as what I was thinking. | These two paintings look very similar to each other. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | say the same thing pretty much, do the same thing pretty much, think the same thing pretty much | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, in, to |
| Antonyms | - | different, dissimilar |
| Common mistakes | Using in formal contexts where proper language is expected., Forgetting to use it after making a comparison., Overusing in conversations, making it sound repetitive. | Confused with 'same' — 'similar' means not exactly the same., Incorrectly used for unrelated things., Using 'similar' with more than two items without clarification. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversation to indicate similarity in ideas or outcomes. Avoid in formal writing or discussions. | Use 'similar' when comparing two or more things that share characteristics. Avoid using it for things that are not closely related. |
Frequently asked questions: Same thing pretty much vs Similar
What's the difference between Same thing pretty much and Similar?
Same thing pretty much: Almost the same idea or point. Similar: Almost the same as something else.
Which is more formal: Same thing pretty much and Similar?
Similar is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Same thing pretty much: That's a great idea, and it's the same thing pretty much as what I was thinking. Similar: These two paintings look very similar to each other.
Can I use Same thing pretty much and Similar interchangeably?
Not always. Same thing pretty much and Similar are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.