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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
resembles one
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
58 human-written examples
This wasn't an instance of phishing--though it resembles one in so much as it relied on an unthinking, impulse click.
News & Media
The scene resembles one of a comedy show.
News & Media
Indeed, of the many forms that the book glancingly resembles, one is the sonnet sequence.
News & Media
Mr. Speaker's TB strain resembles one known as the Haarlem strain originally isolated in the Netherlands.
News & Media
He is an aficionado of roller coasters, working in a White House that often resembles one.
News & Media
The studio is a laboratory, he likes to say, and it sort of resembles one.
News & Media
The book at times resembles one of Mr. Stanley's sorrowful songs, full of pain and loss.
News & Media
She traveled extensively, and so there are times when this book resembles one long, name-dropping itinerary.
News & Media
The outbreak resembles one last year that was linked to a different manufacturer's lens solution and a different microbe.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
2 human-written examples
It is more flexible and resembles one-to-one dialogue with human tutors.
Formally, mass media dissemination resembles "one-to-many" cultural transmission [24], where a single individual can influence a large number of other individuals simultaneously.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Ensure the subject of the verb is clear so the comparison made by the pronoun 'one' is easily identifiable by the reader.
Common error
A frequent mistake is saying "resembles to one". Unlike the adjective 'similar' (which requires 'to'), the verb 'resemble' should be followed directly by its object. Use "resembles one" directly to maintain grammatical accuracy.
Source & Trust
97%
Authority and reliability
5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
In linguistic terms, "resembles one" acts as a transitive verb phrase where 'resembles' is the lexical verb in the third-person singular present tense and 'one' is a pro-form or numeral acting as the direct object. According to Ludwig, this structure allows for concise comparison without noun repetition.
Frequent in
News & Media
55%
Science
25%
Encyclopedias
10%
Less common in
Wiki
5%
Formal & Business
3%
Academia
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In conclusion, "resembles one" is a highly reliable and sophisticated way to draw comparisons in English. It is a staple in high-tier publications like The New York Times and The New Yorker, indicating its stylistic versatility. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is most effective when used as a direct transitive construction, avoiding redundant prepositions. Whether you are describing a scientific motif or a literary structure, this phrase provides a clean, professional method for establishing similarity between subjects. It effectively replaces more wordy alternatives like "bears a resemblance to one" while maintaining a higher register than "looks like one".
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
is similar to one
Uses a more common adjective-based construction for comparison.
bears a resemblance to one
A more formal and slightly wordier idiomatic expression.
looks like one
A more informal, visual-heavy alternative.
parallels one
Suggests a structural or functional similarity rather than just visual.
mirrors one
Implies a very close or exact reflection of the object of comparison.
echoes one
Suggests a subtle or thematic similarity.
approximates one
Indicates the subject is close to but not exactly like the object.
corresponds to one
Focuses on functional equivalence or direct matching.
models one
Implies the similarity is intentional or by design.
takes after one
Typically restricted to familial or biological inherited traits.
FAQs
How to use "resembles one" in a sentence?
You can use "resembles one" to compare an object to a category mentioned earlier. For example, "The new building is quite modern and "looks like one" from a futuristic film" or "The pattern on the rock "is similar to one" found in ancient pottery".
Is it correct to say "resembles to one"?
No, it is incorrect. The verb 'resemble' is transitive and does not take a preposition. You should simply say "resembles one" or use the more formal "bears a resemblance to one".
What is the difference between "resembles one" and "looks like one"?
"resembles one" is generally considered more formal and can apply to abstract qualities, while "looks like one" is more conversational and focuses primarily on visual appearance.
Can "resembles one" be used for plural subjects?
No, if the subject is plural, the object should usually be plural as well. In that case, you would use "resemble those" or "resemble some" instead of "resembles one".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
97%
Authority and reliability
5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested