obvious resemblances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obvious resemblances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing clear similarities or likenesses between two or more subjects. Example: "The artist's new painting shows obvious resemblances to his earlier works, highlighting his unique style."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The obvious resemblances between the two begin with their pseudo-ancient settings.

The New York Times

In Germany and England, critics have compared "The Thief Lord" to a Dickens tale, probably because of its obvious resemblances to "Oliver Twist".

The New York Times - Books

Thanks to his own smooth evasiveness and the blunders of his rivals, meanwhile, he had managed to sidestep the obvious resemblances between his Massachusetts health care bill and the White House's Affordable Care Act.

The New York Times

This is the latest work from director Steven Spielberg, adapted from the Roald Dahl children's story by the late Melissa Mathison; it is the final screenplay from the author of ET — to which this has obvious resemblances.

The Guardian - Film

Actually, it's a tongue-in-cheek account of a creaky old theatre piece, a murder mystery with obvious resemblances to JB Priestley's An Inspector Calls and Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap.

The Guardian

Note that Skeeter bears obvious resemblances to Harry Frankfurt's famous counterexample to the Principle of Alternative Possibilities.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The building's shape bears an obvious resemblance to Norman Foster's so-called Gherkin building, in London, but the differences are telling.

The New Yorker

Milly Theale, the tubercular heroine of "The Wings of the Dove" (1902), shares an obvious resemblance to the by then long-dead cousin Minny.

The New York Times - Books

— LIONEL TRILLING 1950 The Critic as Artist: "To the critic the work of art is simply a suggestion for a new work of his own, that need not necessarily bear any obvious resemblance to the thing it criticizes.

The New York Times - Books

The spurious character of the Protocols was first revealed in 1921 by Philip Graves of The Times (London), who demonstrated their obvious resemblance to a satire by the French lawyer Maurice Joly on Napoleon III published in 1864 and entitled Dialogue aux Enfers entre Machiavel et Montesquieu ("Dialogue in Hell between Machiavelli and Montesquieu").

Encyclopedia Britannica

THE HILL BACHELORS.By William Trevor.Viking; 256 pages; $22.95 and £15.99UNTOUCHED, so it seems, by the vogue for autobiographical fiction, William Trevor's main characters bear no obvious resemblance to a prize-winning but reclusive writer of 72 who grew up in County Cork and moved to England in 1953.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obvious resemblances", ensure that the similarities you're describing are indeed easily noticeable to your audience to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "obvious resemblances" when the similarities are subtle or require deeper analysis. Overusing the phrase in such contexts can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obvious resemblances" functions as a noun phrase, where "obvious" is an adjective modifying the noun "resemblances". This phrase typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obvious resemblances" is a grammatically sound and conceptually straightforward phrase used to denote easily noticeable similarities. According to Ludwig, it frequently appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While the phrase is appropriate for various registers, it's best to avoid redundancy by not overstating the obvious. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Related phrases like "clear similarities" or "evident likenesses" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear similarities

Emphasizes the clarity of the similarities, rather than the resemblances specifically.

evident likenesses

Highlights the visible and apparent nature of the likenesses.

apparent parallels

Focuses on parallels that are easily noticed or understood.

noticeable similarities

Indicates that the similarities are easily observed.

distinctive likenesses

Stresses the unique and clear character of the likenesses.

readily apparent similarities

Adds emphasis to how easily the similarities are observed.

unmistakable parallels

Highlights that the parallels are impossible to confuse.

easily observed likenesses

Focuses on the ease with which the likenesses can be seen.

patent similarities

Implies that the similarities are open and obvious.

palpable likenesses

Suggests the likenesses are so obvious they can almost be felt.

FAQs

How can I use "obvious resemblances" in a sentence?

You can use "obvious resemblances" to point out clear similarities between two or more things. For example, "The two buildings share "obvious resemblances" in their architectural style".

What are some alternatives to "obvious resemblances"?

Alternatives include "clear similarities", "evident likenesses", or "apparent parallels". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very obvious resemblances"?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "very obvious resemblances" can be redundant. The term "obvious" already implies a high degree of clarity, so simply stating ""obvious resemblances"" is usually sufficient.

What is the difference between "obvious resemblances" and "family resemblances"?

"Obvious resemblances" generally refers to any easily noticeable similarities. "Family resemblances" specifically indicates similarities among members of the same family, often in physical appearance or behavior.