"the same" or "same"?? - Do I need "the"?
When 2 things are identical, which one would you say:
(1) They are same
(2) They are the same

When you use "same", do you need to say "the" most of time?
(1) Same as last year
(2) The same as last year.

I need some explanations on this.

Thank you!!

Question

"the same" or "same"?? - Do I need "the"?
When 2 things are identical, which one would you say:
(1) They are same
(2) They are the same

When you use "same", do you need to say "the" most of time?
(1) Same as last year
(2) The same as last year.

I need some explanations on this.

Thank you!!

Answer

THE same.....
Always use "the". ALWAYS.

BTW, the second example makes use of ellipsis, the word "the" is actually omitted, but the meaning is still "the same". Therefore it is incorrect to use"same" in an essay!

Answer

Whether you say it one way or another, it wouldn't make a difference in meaning. But I tend to favor "the same" (pronoun) over "same" (adjective) for the examples you gave above.

Answer

Like the most, but I think there is no difference.

Answer

In your first example you should defiantly use 'the'
Option 2 is correct.

For the second one they both make sense.
Option 1 without the 'the' would probably be a more casual response but people do use it that way.
You could also use option 2 here , that makes sense as well.

I hope that answers your question ^_^