bears a close resemblance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'bears a close resemblance' is correct and usable in written English.
You might use this phrase to describe how two things, ideas, or people are very similar. For example, you might say "The character in the book bears a close resemblance to my grandmother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

The armature bears a close resemblance to the DynaTac.

The New York Times

If I'm not mistaken, it also bears a close resemblance to "growing".

The New York Times - Magazine

The pattern of phosphate ligand interactions in the activation loop bears a close resemblance to that of a tyrosine kinase.

Structure

Because of this shear deformation the divergent extrusion process bears a close resemblance to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP).

Materials Science and Engineering: A

He bears a close resemblance to Ricky Gervais in The Office, though Gunt is permitted more obscenities.

The Guardian - Books

The career itself, from Sussex graduate to prize-winning young Cape novelist, bears a close resemblance to McEwan's own.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The chemistry of scandium bears a closer resemblance to that of the other rare-earth elements of oxidation state +3 than to that of aluminum or titanium.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In many respects, Saul's reign bears a closer resemblance to the judges who preceded him than to the succession of kings who followed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bespectacled and wearing a dark grey suit, GW Pharmaceuticals' boss Justin Gover bears a closer resemblance to a City banker than someone who grows 20 tonnes of cannabis every year.

The Guardian - Business

Yet "Fellow Travelers" bears a closer resemblance to his wonderful "Dewey Defeats Truman," a novel with a Michigan setting that improbably fuses romantic comedy and electoral politics.

The New York Times - Books

Their work bears a closer resemblance to that of Smithson, Mr. Serra, et al., than to most of the body- and craft-centric art in surveys like "Wack!

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "bears a close resemblance", ensure that you clearly identify both subjects being compared to provide context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "bears a close resemblance" when you mean to say the subjects are identical. This phrase indicates similarity, not sameness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bears a close resemblance" functions as a predicate within a sentence, typically linking a subject to a description of its similarity to something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a standard and acceptable use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bears a close resemblance" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a significant similarity between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various writing contexts. It is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedic entries. When using this phrase, remember to clearly define the subjects being compared and avoid confusing resemblance with complete identity. Consider alternative phrases like "closely resembles" or "is strikingly similar to" for stylistic variation. The phrase serves to highlight likeness, enhance understanding through comparison and should not be employed when subjects are identical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closely resembles

This is a more concise way of expressing the same idea, omitting the verb "bear" and the article "a".

is strikingly similar to

This alternative emphasizes the degree of similarity, suggesting it is very noticeable or remarkable.

shares a strong likeness with

This option uses "likeness" instead of "resemblance", offering a slightly more formal tone.

exhibits a marked similarity to

This alternative uses "exhibits" and "marked" to highlight a clear and distinct resemblance.

presents a notable parallel to

This phrase introduces the idea of a "parallel", suggesting corresponding features or aspects.

mirrors closely

This alternative suggests a direct reflection or very exact similarity.

is reminiscent of

This option suggests that something reminds you of something else, implying a similarity in style or character.

echoes

A succinct way of saying it has similarities that remind you of the original.

has a strong correlation with

This alternative is more suitable when discussing statistical or quantifiable similarities.

approximates

This option indicates that something is similar but not exactly the same.

FAQs

How can I use "bears a close resemblance" in a sentence?

Use "bears a close resemblance" to indicate a significant similarity between two things. For example, "The new model "bears a close resemblance" to its predecessor."

What are some alternatives to "bears a close resemblance"?

You can use alternatives such as "closely resembles", "is strikingly similar to", or "shares a strong likeness with" depending on the nuance you want to convey. For example: "The painting "is strikingly similar to" Van Gogh's style."

Is it better to say "bears a close resemblance" or "is a close resemblance"?

"Bears a close resemblance" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. "Is a close resemblance" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "bears a close resemblance" and "is identical to"?

"Bears a close resemblance" indicates similarity, while "is identical to" implies that two things are exactly the same. The former allows for some differences, while the latter does not. For instance: "The copy "bears a close resemblance", but it's not the original".