bear resemblance to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bear resemblance to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to express that something is similar to another thing or shares certain qualities. For example: "This painting bears a strong resemblance to one of the artist's earlier works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"We are aware of the existence of these mini-mobile phones and that a number of them bear resemblance to car keys bearing manufacturer logos," said a spokesman.

BBC

It applies implication methods that bear resemblance to human intuition.

Journal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences

The Tech: Do the characters in your strip bear resemblance to any particular characters in your life?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Those passages that bear resemblance to each other are noted with color highlighting in a double-pane view.

MIT Technology Review

"We also want to look at how beatboxers acquire new skills, which we hypothesize may bear resemblance to learning a new language," Mr. Greer said.

The New York Times - Science

FordHubs, the name for its storefront centers which bear resemblance to Tesla's retail locations will open later this year in New York, San Francisco, London, and Shanghai.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

This chromosome bears resemblance to the 5S rDNA-bearing A. pskemense chromosome.

BMC Plant Biology

In some ways, however, the Republican contest bears resemblance to the Democratic primaries of 1988.

The New York Times

It also bears resemblance to the work of French New Wave directors Jacques Rivette and Eric Rohmer.

The Guardian - Film

The proof of the case (k=1,2,3), bears resemblance to an argument found in [5, 6, 8].

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The latter bears resemblance to Cohen's idea of weight as a matter of testing hypothesis.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bear resemblance to" when you want to highlight specific similarities between two distinct subjects. It's particularly effective when the resemblance isn't immediately obvious and requires a closer look.

Common error

Avoid using "bear resemblance to" when you mean something is an exact copy or duplicate. "Bear resemblance to" implies a similarity, not an identical match. For exact copies, use words like "duplicate" or "identical".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear resemblance to" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a description of its qualities, indicating similarity or likeness. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in diverse contexts, confirming its role in establishing connections between seemingly different subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

52%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bear resemblance to" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express similarity between two subjects. According to Ludwig, its use is considered correct. With a strong presence in news, scientific, and wiki sources, it serves to highlight specific, often non-obvious, resemblances. When writing, use it to draw comparisons, but avoid mistaking it for exact duplication. Alternatives like "resemble" or "be similar to" can provide more direct options, while understanding its distinction from phrases like "be identical to" ensures precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resemble

This is a more concise verb expressing similarity.

be similar to

This alternative uses a more common and direct phrasing to indicate similarity.

look like

This is an informal way to express visual similarity.

take after

This phrase implies inheriting traits, often used in the context of family.

have the appearance of

This alternative focuses on the outward presentation or look.

mirror

This term suggests a direct and close reflection or similarity.

duplicate

This verb indicates an exact copy or replication.

echo

This term describes a more subtle or distant resemblance.

parallel

This suggests a similarity in structure or function.

correspond to

This phrase implies a direct equivalence or match.

FAQs

How can I use "bear resemblance to" in a sentence?

Use "bear resemblance to" to indicate a similarity or likeness between two things. For example: "The new building "bears resemblance to" classical Roman architecture".

What are some alternatives to "bear resemblance to"?

You can use alternatives such as "resemble", "be similar to", or "look like" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "bears resemblance to" or "has a resemblance to"?

"Bears resemblance to" is generally more concise and common. Both are grammatically correct, but "bears resemblance to" is often preferred in formal writing.

What is the difference between "bear resemblance to" and "be identical to"?

"Bear resemblance to" indicates a similarity, while "be identical to" means being exactly the same. They are not interchangeable; use "bear resemblance to" when highlighting similar but not identical aspects.