some semblance of

USAGE SUMMARY

"some semblance of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that appears to be a certain thing but is not actually what it appears to be. For example, you could say, "He tried to create some semblance of order in the chaos of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Some semblance of spring had momentarily arrived.

The New York Times

From begging for some semblance of justice?

The Guardian - Opinion

Some semblance of orderly life worked wonders.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But I also wanted some semblance of tradition.

The New York Times

He gains some semblance of peace and spirituality.

The New York Times - Books

Some semblance of drill was conducted on the Leander's clutterdecks.

The New Yorker

Achieving some semblance of professionalism once there is another.

The Economist

I wish his family strength and some semblance of peace".

The New York Times

"We hope the settlement constitutes some semblance of justice".

The New York Times

Find some semblance of rhythm in the strikes!

The New Yorker

We will get back to some semblance of normalcy.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "some semblance of" when you want to convey that something has only a superficial or incomplete resemblance to a particular quality or state. For example, "After the storm, the town tried to regain some semblance of normalcy."

Common error

Avoid using "some semblance of" when you mean that something fully embodies a particular quality. The phrase suggests a partial or superficial likeness, not a complete one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some semblance of" functions as a qualifier to a noun, indicating that something possesses a limited or superficial resemblance to that noun. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase. The examples show its role in modifying nouns like 'normality', 'order', and 'peace'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "some semblance of" is a frequently used phrase to denote that something exhibits a superficial or incomplete resemblance to a particular attribute. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase, appearing most often in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you intend to convey a partial likeness rather than a complete embodiment. Alternatives like ""a degree of"" or ""an appearance of"" may be more suitable depending on the desired nuance. Overall, "some semblance of" is a versatile phrase for expressing a limited or imperfect quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an appearance of

Directly refers to how something looks or seems, without necessarily implying reality.

a degree of

Focuses on the extent or level achieved, rather than the appearance.

a facade of

Emphasizes the deceptive or artificial nature of the appearance.

a pretense of

Stresses the insincere or feigned quality of the apparent characteristic.

a veneer of

Suggests a thin, superficial layer that covers something else.

a hint of

Implies a subtle or slight indication, less substantial than semblance.

a touch of

Suggests a minimal amount or influence, similar to a hint.

a trace of

Indicates a very small amount or lingering presence.

a shadow of

Highlights the diminished or weakened state compared to the real thing.

an echo of

Conveys a faint or distant reminder of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "some semblance of" in a sentence?

Use "some semblance of" to indicate that something has a partial or superficial resemblance to something else. For example, "The refugees were trying to rebuild "some semblance of normalcy" in their lives".

What phrases are similar to "some semblance of"?

Alternatives include "a degree of", "an appearance of", or "a facade of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "some semblance of" or "a semblance of"?

While both are grammatically correct, "some semblance of" is more common. The inclusion of "some" emphasizes the incomplete or limited nature of the resemblance.

What's the difference between "some semblance of" and "a hint of"?

"Some semblance of" suggests a more noticeable, though still incomplete, resemblance, while "a hint of" indicates a very subtle or slight indication. "Some semblance of order" implies more order than "a hint of order".