Identical to/w

Question

Please solve this preposition predicament for me:1.  A dress identical with her friend's.  Or could this also be used:A dress identical to her friend's.2.  He's identical to his brother.  AndHe's identical with his brother.It seems like a lot of the times prepositions could be used in place of each other, and the meaning would more or less mean the same thing, is this true?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Please solve this preposition predicament for me:

1. A dress identical with her friend's. Or could this also be used:

A dress identical to her friend's.

2. He's identical to his brother. And

He's identical with his brother.

I usually say 'to', but my dictionary says 'often followed by with'.

It seems like a lot of the times prepositions could be used in place of each other, and the meaning would more or less mean the same thing, is this true? In a case like this, yes. And broadly speaking, I'd say that's true, more or less.

Clive

PreciousJones · Answer

Clive,

For the 2nd example given, don't you think He's identical with his brother sounds a little odd?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I'd prefer 'to', as I noted.

It's often hard to distinguish betwen 'odd' and 'incorrect'.

Clive

Identical to/w

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