anything resembling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anything resembling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to refer to something that is similar to or has characteristics of another thing. Example: "I don't want anything resembling a formal meeting; let's keep it casual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's an hour before anything resembling a plot, and then it's only a vague resemblance.

Independent

Not in anything resembling the real world.

Independent

He doesn't have a bunker or anything resembling a barn.

The New York Times - Magazine

Does your management give out anything resembling a genius grant?

Harvard Business Review

I've only once since then seen anything resembling her.

The New Yorker

And I didn't do this or anything resembling this.

The Washington Post

Picnics are prohibited, as is anything resembling a political protest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anything resembling pop saw Watts-Russell turn the other way.

The Guardian - Music

The book's other conspicuous absence is anything resembling a row.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What it doesn't have is anything resembling a Muppet.

The New York Times

I've never seen evidence of anything resembling it.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anything resembling" to soften claims or to describe resemblances that aren't exact copies or perfect matches. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "anything resembling" when you mean something is identical. The phrase implies similarity, not exactness. Using it incorrectly can confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "anything resembling" is to act as a modifier within a sentence. It typically precedes a noun or noun phrase, qualifying it by indicating that the subject in question possesses some, but not necessarily all, of the characteristics of what is being resembled. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anything resembling" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig. It serves to indicate similarity or approximation without implying an exact match. The phrase is versatile, appearing frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples confirms its role as a modifier, adding nuance and precision to writing. While widely accepted across various registers, careful attention should be paid to using it when exactness is not intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anything like

Indicates a comparison, questioning if something is similar.

anything similar to

Directly states that the comparison is about resemblance.

bearing any resemblance to

Highlights if a likeness or similarity is present.

something akin to

Emphasizes a likeness that is close but not exact.

something approximating

Focuses on the idea of getting close to a certain condition or standard.

even remotely like

Emphasizes that a comparison is not close in any way.

something of the kind

Refers to something that belongs to the same category or type.

a semblance of

Highlights that only an appearance or slight indication exists.

a trace of

Implies a minimal presence or suggestion of something.

a faint echo of

Suggests a weak or distant similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "anything resembling" in a sentence?

Use "anything resembling" to describe something that shares characteristics with another thing, but isn't exactly the same. For example, "The sketch didn't have "anything resembling a signature"."

What are some alternatives to "anything resembling"?

You can use alternatives like "anything like", "something akin to", or "anything similar to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "anything resembling" and "anything like"?

While similar, "anything resembling" often implies a more superficial or less precise similarity than "anything like". "Anything resembling" can suggest an approximation, while "anything like" can imply a closer comparison.

When should I avoid using "anything resembling"?

Avoid using "anything resembling" when you need to describe an exact match or something identical. Use it when you mean something is similar but not the same, or to soften a comparison. Also, avoid using it when you actually want the reader to consider something that is exactly the same thing that you mentioned before.