Illustrate how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Illustrate how" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to provide a visual representation or explanation of a concept or process. Example: "In your report, please illustrate how the new marketing strategy will increase customer engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Illustrate how sound waves can travel through different mediums such as solids, liquids, and gases.

The New York Times

Other documents illustrate how the agency misled.

The New Yorker

Mathematics- Illustrate how viral marketing works.

The New York Times

Let's illustrate how the binomial model works.

Harvard Business Review

Let me illustrate how we manage that.

Harvard Business Review

They illustrate how volatile North Sea revenues can be.

The Guardian - Business

They do, however, illustrate how actions afar can impact others.

The Guardian - Opinion

These struggles illustrate how the stakes have risen since 1999.

The New York Times

They also illustrate how important the tests can be.

The New York Times - Health

To illustrate how he works, Carsen talks about Der Rosenkavalier.

The Guardian - Music

"The election results illustrate how far we need to go.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "Illustrate how" with visual aids like diagrams, charts, or examples to enhance understanding and engagement.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on theoretical explanations after using "Illustrate how". Always provide concrete examples or real-world scenarios to support your illustration and enhance comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Illustrate how" serves as an introductory phrase to signal the explanation or demonstration of a process, method, or concept. It invites the audience to understand something through examples or visual representations, aligning with Ludwig's observation that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Illustrate how" is a versatile phrase used to introduce explanations and demonstrations across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its neutral to slightly formal register makes it suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic writing. Common usage involves clarifying complex information with concrete examples and visual aids. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider using "show how", "demonstrate how", or "explain how".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Show how

More direct and less formal way of asking for a demonstration.

Demonstrate how

A more formal and emphatic way to show the steps or process.

Explain how

Focuses on providing a clear explanation of a process or concept.

Detail how

Emphasizes providing thorough and specific information.

Clarify how

Focuses on making something easier to understand.

Outline how

Suggests providing a structured overview of a process.

Exemplify how

Highlights the use of examples to demonstrate a process.

Elaborate on how

Suggests a more detailed and expansive explanation.

Depict how

Focuses on visually representing a process or concept.

Present how

A neutral way of introducing an explanation or demonstration.

FAQs

How can I use "Illustrate how" in a sentence?

You can use "Illustrate how" to introduce an explanation or example of a process. For example, "Illustrate how the new policy will affect employees" or "Illustrate how solar panels convert sunlight into electricity".

What are some alternatives to using "Illustrate how"?

Alternatives include "show how", "demonstrate how", "explain how", or "detail how". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "Illustrate how" formal or informal?

"Illustrate how" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for both professional and academic contexts. More informal alternatives might include "show how".

What's the difference between "Illustrate how" and "Explain how"?

"Illustrate how" often implies the use of examples or visual aids to clarify a process, while "explain how" focuses more on providing a clear verbal or written description. Both can be used interchangeably in many contexts, but the emphasis differs slightly.