same

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[adjective and pronoun] (1) not different, not changed: We stayed in the same hotel as last time. • How is Colin? ~ The same.
(2) exactly alike: The rooms are the same size. • Kevin is terrified of flying. ~ Alice is the same.
[adverb]: in an exactly similar way: Many twins not only look the same but they dress the same.

↓ Grammar patterns | Collocations | Set Phrases ↓

Grammar patterns:

1 the | + same | (+ NP)

They changed the name of the restaurant but the cook is the same.
Roger told the same story again last night.

♦ to talk about things not changing or not being different

I’ll have the salad and then the fish. ~ I’ll have the same.
You and your sister have the same laugh.

♦ to talk about exact similarities

2 the | + same | (+ NP)| + as
the | + same | (+ NP)| + that-clause

Which piece shall I play? ~ The same as before.
Ellen goes to the same physiotherapist as me.
Terry was wearing the same suit that he wore to Joe’s wedding.
Where are you going for your holidays? ~ The same place we always go to.

♦ to identify something by saying it is not different or similar to something else.

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Collocations:

The following verbs often go with same: be, feel, look, smell, sound and taste:

Which colour do you prefer? ~ They both look the same to me.
The house doesn’t feel the same without Bobby.

The following adverbs often go with same: exactly, just, [not] quite, almost, more or less, much, nearly, practically, roughly:

Money didn’t change them: they’re exactly the same as before.
The book and the film are more or less the same.
How are you feeling? ~ Much the same.
Frozen fish is not quite the same as fresh fish.

The following nouns commonly occur with same: thing, way, size, class, people, mistake, language:

Rock-climbing and mountaineering are not the same thing at all.
Let’s share a taxi. ~ Are you going the same way?.
She’s too good for him: he’s not in the same class.
Try not to make the same mistake again.
I’m not sure if you and I are speaking the same language.

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Set phrases:

• all the same/just the same = in spite of what has just been said

It’s not that late. ~ All the same, I think we should be going.

• at the same time

His paintings are good.. At the same time, he’s no Picasso.

♦ to introduce something that slightly contradicts what you have just said.

• in the same boat = in the same bad situation

Since we’re all in the same boat, we should join forces.

• ‘(the) same again’ = the same drink as last time

What would you like to drink? ~ The same again, thanks.

• ‘same here’

I can’t stand reality TV. ~ Same here.
I never went overseas until I was an adult. ~ Same here.

♦ to say that you agree, or have a similar experience.

• ‘same to you’

Happy New year! ~ Same to you.

♦ to return a greeting.

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