slight resemblance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight resemblance" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to suggest that two things or people are somewhat similar, but not exactly the same. For example: "The design of the new laptop was similar to the previous model, but with some slight resemblances, such as a slightly thinner body and a larger display."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Dr. Ross-Lee, an osteopath, bears a slight resemblance to her famous sibling.

The New York Times

Despite the slight resemblance to Pyongyang, this is a modern city.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wearing a beard, I'd probably bear a slight resemblance to him.

The Guardian - Film

The flowers, ruby-colored Australian wild hibiscus, bear a slight resemblance to sea anemones.

The New York Times

The restaurant, which opened in November, bears only a slight resemblance to its forebears.

The New York Times - Food

• Mr. Wilkinson has more than a slight resemblance to the director Richard Attenborough.

The New York Times

In the deadpan lexicon of infantry life, several soldiers nicknamed him "Charles Manson," to whom he bears a slight resemblance.

The New York Times

CL: There's an ever so slight resemblance to Bongo and Binky, those characters from Matt Groening's "Life in Hell" strip.

The New Yorker

That lone portion, bearing a slight resemblance to a red-brick pyramid, stands vigil over a raw, empty lot.

The New York Times

The September auditions we asked you about in Question No. 3 had a slight resemblance to "American Idol" tryouts.

The New York Times

Doesn't this bear some slight resemblance to Merrill selling tech stocks during the bubble while its analyst Henry Blodget was reportedly telling his friends what garbage they were?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight resemblance" to indicate a similarity that is noticeable but not significant. This phrase is effective when you want to acknowledge a connection without overstating it.

Common error

Avoid using "slight resemblance" when the similarity is actually strong or obvious. Using it in such cases can undermine your credibility. If the resemblance is considerable, opt for phrases like "strong resemblance" or "striking similarity" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight resemblance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It denotes a similarity that is minimal or not particularly strong. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slight resemblance" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used noun phrase. It indicates a similarity that is minimal or not particularly strong, typically found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the similarity is indeed slight to avoid overstatement, and to consider alternatives like "minor similarity" or "faint similarity" for nuanced expression. The phrase serves the purpose of acknowledging a connection without implying a strong correlation, as evidenced by the examples available on Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor similarity

Focuses on the degree of similarity being small.

faint similarity

Emphasizes the subtlety and difficulty in noticing the similarity.

subtle likeness

Highlights the delicacy and understated nature of the resemblance.

vague similarity

Suggests the resemblance is not clear or well-defined.

passing resemblance

Implies a brief or superficial similarity.

tenuous connection

Highlights the weakness of the relationship or similarity.

minimal correlation

Indicates a very small degree of relationship or correspondence.

limited parallel

Suggests a similarity existing only within certain boundaries or aspects.

small degree of likeness

Emphasizes the minimal extent of the similarity.

superficial similarity

Underscores that the resemblance is only on the surface and not deep.

FAQs

How can I use "slight resemblance" in a sentence?

You can use "slight resemblance" to point out a similarity between two or more things that is not very strong. For example, "The newer model bears a slight resemblance to its predecessor."

What can I say instead of "slight resemblance"?

You can use alternatives like "minor similarity", "faint similarity", or "subtle likeness" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "slight resemblance" or "strong resemblance"?

The choice depends on the degree of similarity. Use "slight resemblance" when the similarity is minimal and "strong resemblance" when the similarity is significant.

What is the difference between "slight resemblance" and "passing resemblance"?

"Slight resemblance" indicates a general, though minimal, similarity. "Passing resemblance" suggests a similarity that is brief or superficial.