the striking/shocking resemblance between Joyce and her mother

Do a search at Google for:

"striking resemblance between"
and for
"striking resemblance between"
(quotation marks are important to group up terms)

It'll tell you quickly which is the normal one.

They are not the same and the dictionary will tell you that. Shocking's too strong.

No, it doesn't sound right. Why would it be a shock or a surprise that a daughter resembles her mother? These words are far too strong.

Nona The BritNo, it doesn't sound right. Why would it be a shock or a surprise that a daughter resembles her mother? These words are far too strong.

Thanks, Marius and Nona.

Then, how would you interpret "striking" in the base sentence?

It was a very strong resemblance - more than what you typically see in a family. I've certainly known parents and children where they have the same eyes or the same nose, etc., but sometimes you see a daughter who looks so much like her mother that it is "striking."

Grammar GeekIt was a very strong resemblance - more than what you typically see in a family. I've certainly known parents and children where they have the same eyes or the same nose, etc., but sometimes you see a daughter who looks so much like her mother that it is "striking."

Thanks, GG.

Got it.

Hi Angliholic

'Striking resemblance' is also a pretty common collocation. To me, the word 'striking' simply means 'very noticeable' in this case.