Cool MateResemble vs This look like
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Resemble
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
This look like
Top 2,000 (common)
| Resemble | This look like | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈzembl/","/rɪˈzemblz/","/rɪˈzembld/","/rɪˈzemblɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈzembl/","/rɪˈzemblz/","/rɪˈzembld/","/rɪˈzemblɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs lʊk laɪk//🇺🇸 //ðɪs lʊk laɪk// |
| Meaning | To look like someone or something. | This appears to be something. |
| Example | She closely resembles her sister. | This look like a great place to eat. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | closely, greatly, strongly, be designed to, tend to, in, anything resembling something, something resembling something | this look like a mistake, this look like fun, this look like trouble, this look like work, this look like the solution |
| Antonyms | differ, contrast, depart | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Resemble' is often confused with 'look like' despite being interchangeable in many contexts., Learners sometimes misuse 'resemble' with a preposition (e.g., 'resemble to'). It should be direct., Confusing the subject-verb agreement when using 'resemble' with plural nouns. | Omitting 'this' before 'look like'., Using 'looks like' instead of 'look like' with 'this'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'resemble' when discussing physical appearance or characteristics. It's typically neutral, but avoid it in very formal writing. In informal contexts, 'look like' is more common. | Use in casual conversation to describe similarity. Avoid in formal writing; instead, use 'resembles' or 'appears'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Resemble vs This look like
What's the difference between Resemble and This look like?
Resemble: To look like someone or something. This look like: This appears to be something.
Can you show an example of each?
Resemble: She closely resembles her sister. This look like: This look like a great place to eat.
Can I use Resemble and This look like interchangeably?
Not always. Resemble and This look like are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.