difference between the same as or the same with

the same as - ()
the same with - ()

"the same with" and "the same as"

(I know they have different meaning and usage by looking up dictionary and google it. But I am still not clear at their different, and in what situation I should use which one.

I was told that, "the same with" could be explained as the "the same situations with " like following sentence:

"John did not go to school today" "It is same with Mary"


As to "the same as" , it could be explained as " the same thing as", like:

"I have the same dreams as you")

• Yes, you have the general idea, but not quite. I would not, however, say "It is the same with Mary". I would say "Neither did Mary". I know that a lot of people say "Same with me!" but I don't think that's correct. What it means when said, however, is "It is the same (thing) with Mary".
  
  "Same with..." means that two or more things agree.
  
  "Same as" invites comparison ie: "Is your new car the same as mine?"

• The key to the meaning is the omitted but understood as phrase:
  
  It is the same with Mary. = The situation is the same with Mary (as with John).
  Compared with you, I have the same dreams. = (If I am) compared with you, (I see that we are similar in that) I have the same dreams (as you do).
  
  The preposition with does not play the role of subordinating conjunction.

'the same...as' versus 'the same...with'

(Grammar books always say," Do not use with after the same, use as instead". But I occasionally see the 'same...with' structure in some readings, especially on the Internet, e.g.

It is probable, therefore, that new treaties will have to be negotiated which will put the other countries on the same footing with France.

Now they're trying the same stunt with McCain. Obama's doing what every politician does. The difference is he claims that he's not the typical politician.

He was born in the same year with Dickens. Yet Dickens died in 1870, and Thackeray in 1863.

——Is that a grammatically right way to use 'the same'? If yes, what's the difference between 'as' and 'with'?

Thanks)

• Your book is partially correct. When trying to compare two things, you should use 'the same as' construction, not 'with'.
  
  However, in the first two examples, these are not direct comparisons between two things.
  

  Quote:

  It is probable, therefore, that new treaties will have to be negotiated which will put the other countries on the same footing with France.

  
  
  They're saying that the treaty will give other countries similar rights/privileges as France currently has. It's not saying country A,B,and C are the same as France, just that they will have similar rights.
  

  Quote:

  Now they're trying the same stunt with McCain. Obama's doing what every politician does. The difference is he claims that he's not the typical politician.

  
  
  Again, this is not saying that the stunt is equal to McCain. "They" took one action with another politician, and now they are trying the same tactics with McCain.
  

  Quote:

  He was born in the same year with Dickens. Yet Dickens died in 1870, and Thackeray in 1863.

  
  
  I think this usage is incorrect. I'd suggest using 'the same year as' construction. This makes it sounds like Thackeray and Dickens were born together, from the same mother, at the same time, in the same place, which is of course erroneous.
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