resembles that of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resembles that of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most often used when comparing one thing to another. For example, "The pattern of the wallpaper in the hallway resembles that of the pattern in the kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Our football resembles that of the Argentines.

The Guardian - Film

Reeve's emerging strategy resembles that of a venture capitalist.

The New Yorker

Mr. Liu's story resembles that of many peasant workers.

The New York Times

Its story resembles that of so many other cable channels.

The New York Times

Its decoration resembles that of Japanese wares and Rouen faience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its cross-section resembles that of two partially joined bubbles.

The Economist

The body form resembles that of the cnidarian medusa.

Encyclopedia Britannica

My case resembles that of Bob ….

TechCrunch

I say it resembles that of a homeless man's attire.

TechCrunch

Its cellular structure resembles that of a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Surgical Case Reports

Disney's online strategy resembles that of a pathological gambler.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "resembles that of" when you want to draw a formal comparison between two distinct entities or concepts, emphasizing shared characteristics or features. It's particularly effective in analytical or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "resembles that of" excessively in informal writing or conversation, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "is similar to" or "is like" in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resembles that of" functions as a comparative connector, linking two nouns or noun phrases by indicating a similarity in appearance, structure, or characteristics. Ludwig shows examples illustrating this function across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "resembles that of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative connector. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to highlight similarities between two subjects across various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. While generally neutral to formal, it’s best suited for analytical and descriptive writing, while simpler alternatives can be employed in casual settings. To avoid overuse, consider employing synonyms such as ""is similar to"" or ""is akin to"" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bears a resemblance to

Emphasizes the observable similarity.

is similar to

A more general term indicating likeness.

is comparable to

Highlights the ability to compare two things.

is akin to

Focuses on a similarity in nature or quality.

is reminiscent of

Implies a similarity that brings something to mind.

is analogous to

Suggests a similarity that allows for comparison.

mirrors that of

Implies a direct or close similarity.

echoes that of

Suggests a similarity in sound or idea.

is like

A simpler, more informal way of expressing similarity.

approximates that of

Suggests a near or approximate similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "resembles that of" in a sentence?

Use "resembles that of" to formally compare two things by highlighting their similarities. For example, "The structure of this protein "resembles that of" another protein found in bacteria".

What are some alternatives to "resembles that of"?

You can use alternatives like "is similar to", "is akin to", or "bears a resemblance to" depending on the context.

How does "resembles that of" differ from "is similar to"?

"Resembles that of" is generally more formal and emphasizes a structural or patterned similarity, while ""is similar to"" is a broader term that can refer to any kind of likeness.

Is it correct to say "resembles to" instead of "resembles that of"?

No, "resembles to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""resembles that of"", which properly establishes a comparison between two subjects.