Writing guide
Use resemble when you want to say that one person or thing looks or seems like another. The basic pattern is simple: name what you are describing, add resemble, then name what it is like. You do not need a word such as “to” or “with” between the verb and its object.
Before writing, identify the two things you want to compare and decide what kind of likeness you mean.
You want to describe a family likeness without claiming that two people are identical. Begin with “She resembles her mother,” then add a feature if it matters: “She resembles her mother around the eyes.” The verb gives you a direct, compact comparison.
For more model lines, explore resemble examples sentences and notice how each example names the subject and the person or thing it resembles.
resemble examples sentencesYou are comparing a new design with an older one. Write “The new logo resembles the original” when the overall appearance is alike. If only the colors match, say so; resemble by itself does not explain which detail is shared.
For short comparisons in different contexts, read resemble in a sentence and adapt a pattern rather than copying an entire example.
resemble in a sentenceYou see “The twins resemble to each other” in a draft. Remove “to” and write “The twins resemble each other.” Then check that the claim is supported: siblings can resemble each other in appearance without having the same personality.
If the draft needs a different shade of meaning, consult resemble synonyms to distinguish likeness from imitation or exact matching.
resemble synonymsA learner can describe two similar objects but keeps writing an adjective where a verb is needed. Contrast “These houses are similar” with “This house resembles that one.” Point out that the second form needs an object after resemble.
Use resemble vs similar for a focused explanation of why the two forms take different grammatical patterns.
resemble vs similarBuild a clear comparison in three passes: choose a subject, attach the right object, and check the meaning.
Start with a person, place, object, sound, or situation. For example, “The small cottage” gives your reader a clear subject. Ask which other thing it brings to mind before you write the rest; a vague comparison will remain vague even with perfect grammar.
Write “The small cottage resembles a storybook house.” Here, resembles agrees with the singular subject and goes directly before “a storybook house.” For a plural subject, use resemble: “The cottages resemble storybook houses.” Do not insert “to,” “with,” or “like” after the verb.
If the resemblance is limited, tell the reader where it lies: “The cottage resembles a storybook house, especially with its steep roof.” Read the line again to check that you are describing a likeness, not claiming the cottage actually is a storybook house.
A short model can help you check your wording, while a definition can help you decide whether this is the right verb.
Most mistakes come from adding an unnecessary word, choosing the wrong verb form, or leaving the comparison unclear.
“The child resembles to her father” is not standard usage. Resemble takes a direct object, so the extra word interrupts the pattern.
WorkaroundWrite “The child resembles her father.” If you prefer a construction with “to,” write “The child is similar to her father.”
“This painting resembles a photograph” suggests a shared appearance; it does not tell readers that the painting is a photograph. An unqualified comparison can mislead if only one feature matches.
WorkaroundName the feature: “This painting resembles a photograph in its fine detail.”
“These buildings resembles the old station” mixes a plural subject with a singular verb form. The comparison may be clear, but the grammar needs correction.
WorkaroundUse “These buildings resemble the old station.” Keep resembles for a singular subject such as “This building.”
A grammatically correct line may still make an unsupported claim about a person or an object. This guide can show you how to form the sentence, not establish whether the two things truly look alike.
WorkaroundCheck the facts or soften your observation: “From a distance, the building resembles the old station.”
Choose the form that matches your intended structure. These alternatives express likeness, but they are not interchangeable word for word.
Use resemble
“The new lamp resembles the old one.” The verb goes directly before its object.
Use an alternative
“The new lamp is similar to the old one.” Similar is an adjective followed by “to.”
Use resemble
“This drawing resembles a map.” Add -s for a singular third-person subject.
Use an alternative
“This drawing looks like a map.” Looks like is a useful, often more conversational choice.
Use resemble
“These drawings resemble maps.” Do not add -s to the verb for a plural subject.
Use an alternative
“These drawings look like maps.” The verb form changes with the subject here too.
Use resemble
“The room resembled a cabin before the renovation.” Use resembled for a past likeness.
Use an alternative
“The room looked like a cabin before the renovation.” This describes the same past impression in a less formal way.
Use resemble
“Her handwriting resembles her sister’s in its slant.” The final phrase explains the likeness.
Use an alternative
“Her handwriting has the same slant as her sister’s.” Choose this when you want to name the shared feature directly.
Use resemble
“The actor resembles the singer” describes a likeness; it does not imply copying.
Use an alternative
“The actor imitates the singer” suggests deliberate copying. Choose it only when that is what you mean.
The illustrations accompany the comparison; the labelled lines show the writing change. Both are grammatical, but the second tells the reader which feature is alike.
Try a short line of your own, such as “The new melody resembles an old folk song.” Reading it aloud can help you notice an awkward comparison, though sound alone will not prove that the claim is accurate. Check the grammar and the meaning before using the line in a finished piece.
Put resemble between the thing you are describing and the thing it is like: “These clouds resemble mountains.” For a singular third-person subject, use resembles: “That cloud resembles a mountain.” Do not add “to” between the verb and its object.
“Maya resembles her grandmother” is a complete example. If you know what they share, add it: “Maya resembles her grandmother around the eyes.” That detail makes the observation easier to picture.
Yes. You could write “The lamp resembles a flower” or “The melody resembles a lullaby.” In each case, the verb describes a perceived likeness rather than saying the two things are identical.
Neither is needed in the basic pattern. Write “The houses resemble each other,” not “The houses resemble to each other.” If you want to use “to,” choose a different structure, such as “The houses are similar to each other.”
Add one when the likeness is not obvious or applies to only one feature. “The chair resembles the original in its curved back” is more precise than saying the chairs simply resemble each other. A detail also helps you avoid implying a closer match than you intend.