resembling

USAGE SUMMARY

'resembling' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe how something looks like something else, or behaves like something else. For example: "The cat resembled a tiger with its yellow and black stripes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a matter of months, their dredgers and mercury kits can convert vast tracts of green forest into something resembling lunar wastelands.

The Guardian

Those journalists not lucky enough to be on holiday themselves desperately scratch in the dirt for anything resembling a political story.

The Guardian - Opinion

All the smaller roles are neatly filled, particularly Scarlett Johansson's Leigh and James Darcy's Tony Perkins, the latter almost eerily resembling the original; plus Kurtwood Smith as the fuming head of the censor's office and Ralph Macchio as screenwriter Joseph Stephano.

The Guardian - Film

There were brief, fleeting signs of something resembling that here but before the new manager could even warm his seat in the dugout, the visitors were behind and the setback was self-inflicted.

The Guardian - Sport

Other concepts include highway roadside lights resembling white flowers that automatically turn themselves on as a car approaches.

The Guardian

When I consider my suppurating private life: my greying hair, my body's abandonment of anything resembling skin tone, I'd have thought I was wracked with, say, inoperable despair, but it isn't so.

The Guardian

More interesting will be whether it is accompanied by anything resembling a renewed coalition agreement for the remaining half of the parliament.

The Guardian - Opinion

Resembling an English architectural folly, this private mansion was converted into a hip hotel 15 years ago by a creative bunch of Belgians and has been pretty much fully booked ever since.

The Guardian - Travel

Europe's history should serve as constant warning against the logic of spheres of influence, or anything resembling the sacrifice of the interests of smaller nations in the name of big power realpolitik.

The Guardian - Opinion

An independent Scotland that votes to keep the pound would be forced into an unstable currency regime resembling the dollarisation seen in countries such as Panama, new research has concluded.

The Guardian

Largely that's as a result of vocalist Harry Burgess, whose vocal lines veer from languid tenor croon to something resembling a wasp bobbing about on a string, though he's matched step-for-step by skittering, spindly guitar lines and a restless rhythm section.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "resembling" to create vivid descriptions by comparing unfamiliar subjects to familiar ones, enhancing clarity and engagement for your audience.

Common error

Be mindful of overusing "resembling" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your descriptive language to maintain reader interest and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "resembling" is that of a present participle, often functioning as an adjective modifying a noun. It describes something by comparing its appearance or characteristics to something else. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Arts

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "resembling" functions primarily as a present participle, creating comparisons to enrich descriptions. It enjoys frequent use across diverse sources, with News & Media, Travel, and Formal & Business contexts predominating. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a valid and frequently used word. For more precise or nuanced comparisons, alternatives like "similar to" or "akin to" can be considered. Just avoid overuse and make good use of the tips provided here.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar to

A very direct and common way to express likeness.

like

A simple and versatile way to indicate resemblance.

bearing a resemblance to

A more formal and emphatic way of indicating similarity.

comparable to

Highlights that two things can be compared because they share qualities.

reminiscent of

Suggests that something evokes memories of something else.

having the appearance of

Focuses on the visual similarity between things.

akin to

Suggests a similarity in nature or quality.

evocative of

Emphasizes the power to bring images, memories, and feelings to mind.

echoing

Suggests that something shares qualities with an earlier or different thing.

mirroring

Implies a direct and close correspondence.

FAQs

How do I use "resembling" in a sentence?

You can use "resembling" to compare something to something else that it looks or behaves like. For example, "The cloud was resembling a giant cotton ball."

What can I say instead of "resembling"?

You can use alternatives like "similar to", "akin to", or "comparable to" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "resembling" and "similar to"?

"Resembling" is a verb form (present participle), while "similar to" is a prepositional phrase. "Resembling" often directly follows the noun it modifies, whereas "similar to" connects two nouns or noun phrases.

Is it correct to say "the statue was resembling a person"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common and stylistically better to say "The statue was "similar to" a person" or "The statue resembled a person".