Semblance

Question

Hi,What surprises Jean is the fact that WIlliam and her are the semblance of that couple in the painting. That couple lived 300 years ago.Am I using the word semblance correctly?Thanks, AL

GPY · Accepted Answer

No.

What surprises Jean is the fact that she and William are the image of that couple in the painting. That couple lived 300 years ago.

Avid learner · Answer

"What surprises Jean is the fact that she and William are the semblance of that couple in the painting. That couple lived 300 years ago."

So, using "semblance" in this sentence is wrong?

GPY · Answer

avid learnerSo, using "semblance" in this sentence is wrong?

Yes.

Anonymous · Answer

"What surprises Jean is the fact that she and William are the resemblance of that couple in the painting.  That couple lived 300 years ago." would be okay, in my opinion, although 19th century-sounding.  "Semblance" would be technically grammatical, but the word "semblance" has always tended to be used in certain set expressions only, and it sounds strange outside of these.

GPY · Answer

Sorry, my suggestion of "image" means "extremely close resemblance", which may not be what you mean. I'm not sure why I used that word. You could also say:

What surprises Jean is the fact that she and William resemble that couple in the painting.

GPY · Answer

Anonymous"What surprises Jean is the fact that she and William are the resemblance of that couple in the painting. That couple lived 300 years ago." would be okay, in my opinion, although 19th century-sounding.

This does not sound quite right to me, at least in ordinary modern English.

Avid learner · Answer

Anonymous: "What surprises Jean is the fact that she and William are the resemblance of that couple in the painting. That couple lived 300 years ago." would be okay, in my opinion, although 19th century-sounding.

"This does not sound quite right to me, at least in ordinary modern English."

So, the sentence is okay however sounds like an earlier form of the English language?

GPY · Answer

avid learnerSo, the sentence is okay however sounds like an earlier form of the English language?

To me it sounds wrong. I added the bit about "ordinary modern English" because Anon mentioned it sounding old-fashioned. I do not have a view about that aspect.

Anonymous · Answer

Here is further comment on this.

The word "semblance" tends to be used in certain set patterns only in English, and is rarely, if ever, used outside of those patterns. For example, the following are type of constructions in which "semblance" typically appears in English:

After the scandal that had swept through the town had died down, a semblance of normalcy descended over the small village once again. But the population had been left with deep scars from the turmoil. ("Semblance" is the only word that is normally used in this situation, and conveys the sense that an appearance, maybe illusory, of normalcy exists.)

After the police had dispersed the rioters, some semblance or order reigned throughout the neighborhood. (Again, the word suggests a perhaps fragile state of order.)

In the sentence, "What surprises Jean is the fact that she and William are the ____ of that couple in the painting. That couple lived 300 yrs. ago.", "semblance" is not the right word to put in the blank. Here the writer is trying to convey the idea that Jean and William are the spitting image of the couple in the painting. Initially, at least, there is no sense of this likeness being illusory. Then we have the fact that she and William could not be the couple because they lived 300 yrs. ago. So we have a contradiction to the first sentence. But note how clearly everything is stated: they are the exact likeness of the couple, but the couple lived 300 yrs. ago. You don't get this kind of sense of clearness of statement with "semblance," as it implies a perhaps illusory appearance.

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