exact same/identical (same/identical)

Is "exact same" correct? It's common in speech but often redundant in formal writing. Prefer identical or exactly the same for clarity; reserve "the exact same" for casual tone.

Quick answer

Use "identical" for precise, formal statements. Use "exactly the same" when you want adverbial emphasis in writing. "The exact same" is acceptable in conversation and informal text but avoid it in formal prose.

Formal writing: use identical or exactly the same.
Casual speech/texts: the exact same is fine for emphasis.
When in doubt, rewrite to the same as X or identical to X.

Core explanation (short)

Identical is a single, precise adjective: two things are indistinguishable for the comparison. Exactly the same uses an adverb plus adjective and reads clearly in writing. The exact same adds conversational emphasis but often repeats the idea.

Identical = formal and precise.
Exactly the same = clear, emphatic, and idiomatic in writing.
The exact same = colloquial emphasis; avoid in formal prose.

Grammar: articles, prepositions, and agreement

Identical typically appears with to (identical to X) or as an attributive adjective (identical items). Exactly/the exact same usually needs the definite article before a noun: the exact same result.

Correct: The results are identical to last year's.
Correct: They reached exactly the same conclusion.
Avoid dropping the article: Wrong - She has exact same shoes. Right - She has the exact same shoes.

Hyphenation and spacing

Do not hyphenate exact and same. Write two words: exact same. If you want a tighter or more formal phrasing, use exactly the same or identical.

Avoid: exact-same, same-exact.
Use: the exact same X (casual), exactly the same X (polished), identical X or identical to X (formal).

Real usage: work, school, and casual examples

Match phrasing to audience and tone: professional = identical / exactly the same; academic = identical; casual = the exact same.

Work (formal report): The two prototypes are identical in weight and battery life.
Work (internal chat): Can you confirm these logs produced exactly the same timestamps?
Work (email to client): The deliverable will be identical to the signed specification.
School (paper): The experimental groups produced identical results under controlled conditions.
School (discussion): I had exactly the same question about the proof.
School (grading): These submissions contain identical passages - please explain sources.
Casual (text): He has the exact same phone case as me.
Casual (conversation): I had the exact same reaction when I saw it.
Casual (social post): They like the exact same shows - it's hilarious.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context usually shows whether you need precision or emphasis.

Examples: common wrong/right pairs you can copy

Short, ready-to-use corrections for common contexts.

Work - Wrong: The two proposals are the exact same.
Right: The two proposals are identical.
School - Wrong: I have the exact same lab results as you.
Right: My lab results are identical to yours.
Work - Wrong: This paragraph is the exact same as the one before.
Right: This paragraph is identical to the previous one.
School - Wrong: The students turned in the exact same essay.
Right: The students submitted identical essays.
Casual - Wrong: That is the exact same joke I heard yesterday.
Right: That's exactly the same joke I heard yesterday. Or simply: That's the same joke I heard yesterday.
Wrong: They gave the same exact answer.
Right: They gave identical answers or exactly the same answer.

Rewrite help: repeatable patterns and quick fixes

Three simple patterns to edit quickly:

the exact same X → identical X
the exact same → exactly the same
the exact same as X → the same as X or identical to X

Edit with this question: does "exact" add useful meaning? If not, remove it.

Rewrite:
Original: I used the exact same method. Better: I used exactly the same method. Or: I used an identical method.
Rewrite:
Original: They had the exact same data. Better: Their data were identical. Or: They had the same data.
Rewrite:
Original: This chart is the exact same as the one in the appendix. Better: This chart is identical to the one in the appendix.
Rewrite:
Original: She gave the exact same answer on both quizzes. Better: She gave identical answers on both quizzes.
Work - Rewrite:
Original: We used the exact same calibration settings. Better: We used identical calibration settings.
Casual - Rewrite:
Original: He bought the exact same bag as me. Better (casual): He bought the exact same bag as I did. Better (formal): He bought the same bag as I did.

Memory trick and quick checklist

Mnemonic: IDENTICAL = one tidy adjective. Exact + same = two words repeating the idea.

Checklist:
1. Identify your audience (formal vs casual).
2. If formal, use identical or exactly the same.
3. If casual, the exact same is acceptable-ensure correct article use.
4. If "exact" adds nothing, drop it: use the same or identical.
Quick test: Draft - We observed the exact same trend. If formal → We observed an identical trend. Or → We observed exactly the same trend.

Similar mistakes and confusable phrases

Watch for redundant or dated forms and choose the clearest option.

Avoid: same exact, exact-same. Prefer: exactly the same, the same as, identical to.
Use identical to in American English; identical with appears in some regional or legal usages but is less common.
When comparing methods, say: Method A yields exactly the same results as Method B - or simply identical results.

FAQ

Is "exact same" grammatically incorrect?

Not strictly incorrect in speech, but it reads as redundant in formal writing. Prefer identical or exactly the same for essays, reports, and publications.

When should I use "identical" instead of "exact same"?

Use identical for precision and a formal tone: technical reports, academic papers, and client communications.

Should I write "exactly the same" or "the exact same"?

Exactly the same is the more polished written form. The exact same suits speech and informal writing.

Is "identical to" or "identical with" correct?

Identical to is the safer choice in modern American English. Identical with shows up in some legal or regional uses but is less common.

How can I quickly check my writing for this mistake?

Search for the pair exact + same. If found, ask whether "exact" adds meaning. If not, replace with the same, exactly the same, or identical, depending on tone and precision required.

Quick editing tip

When you spot "exact same" in a draft, try both replacements-identical and exactly the same-and read which fits your audience. Keep the pattern that reads clearest and most precise.