Everyday usage
To use resemble in a sentence, name what is alike and give the reader enough context to understand the comparison. The word works for appearance, sound, and behavior, but it takes a direct object: write “Her voice resembles his,” not “Her voice resembles to his.”
Start with the kind of help you need: more examples, a construction guide, or a sharper distinction between similar expressions.
Browse examples that show how the comparison changes across everyday contexts.
Follow a grammar-focused walkthrough for building your own comparison.
See when a verb fits better than an adjective in the same idea.
A model sentence can show a pattern, but the final comparison still needs to be accurate for your subject and audience.
A grammatically sound comparison does not prove that two people, voices, or products actually sound or look alike. Readers may also hear a stronger claim than you intended.
WorkaroundCheck the underlying evidence and qualify a partial likeness: “The opening notes slightly resemble a bell.”
A voice might resemble another in pitch but not in accent, pace, or personality. A broad comparison can conceal the trait that matters to your listener.
WorkaroundName the specific feature: “Her measured pacing resembles the original narration.”
Describing a voice and generating audio that imitates an identifiable person raise different questions. A polished script does not establish consent to create or publish an imitation.
WorkaroundUse an authorized voice and describe qualities such as warmth or pacing without claiming to reproduce someone’s identity.
Choose the workflow that matches your draft, then read the finished line aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
Put the subject first, follow it with “resemble” or “resembles,” and name the comparison directly. For appearance, try: “The younger dog resembles its mother around the eyes.” If the likeness is limited, say where it begins and ends rather than implying a perfect match.
For narration or dialogue, identify an audible quality instead of equating two people. “The closing phrase resembles a gentle reminder” tells a performer more than “Make it resemble that speaker.” Test the line aloud: if a listener cannot tell what to listen for, add the relevant trait.
Replace “resembles to” with the direct-object pattern, then cut unnecessary intensifiers. “This melody closely resembles the earlier theme” is clearer than “This melody really resembles to the theme from before.” Keep “closely” only if the degree of likeness is important and defensible.
These lines show the finished wording and the choice behind it. Adapt the comparison rather than copying a claim that does not fit your subject.
A character notices a family likeness without declaring the two people identical.
“In the photograph, Mara resembles her grandmother most when she smiles.” The sentence identifies the visible detail and leaves room for differences. For another way to vary the verb, explore resemble synonyms.
resemble synonymsA direction to a narrator needs to describe the performance, not imply an unauthorized impersonation.
“Let the final line resemble a reassuring conversation rather than a formal announcement.” Read it aloud to check whether the instruction is easy to perform; resemble pronunciation can help if the word itself appears in spoken copy.
resemble pronunciationA draft says two interfaces are alike but never specifies how.
“The revised layout resembles the earlier version in its navigation, but the controls have changed.” The sentence separates the shared feature from the difference. Compare resemble vs similar if an adjective would make the line shorter.
resemble vs similarBefore publishing or recording a sentence, confirm that the likeness is fair and that any named person has not been presented as endorsing or speaking your words. A description of vocal qualities is not permission to imitate an identifiable voice. If you generate audio, use a voice you are authorized to use, review the output in context, and disclose synthetic speech where appropriate.
“The puppy resembles its mother” is a straightforward example. The puppy is the subject, “resembles” is the verb, and its mother is the direct object being compared.
Use “resembles” with a singular third-person subject in the present tense: “Her voice resembles his.” Use “resemble” with plural subjects and with “I,” “you,” or “we”: “Their voices resemble each other.”
No. In ordinary English, this verb takes its object without “to”: “The tune resembles a lullaby.” If you want a construction with “to,” write “is similar to a lullaby” instead.
Compare a specific sound or effect, as in “The final note resembles a soft chime.” If the script directs someone to produce audio, describe qualities such as pace and tone rather than asking them to imitate an identifiable person without permission.
No. It points to a likeness, not necessarily a match in every detail. Add the relevant trait or a qualifier when the distinction matters: “The opening resembles the first version in rhythm, but not in melody.”