as a show of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a show of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action is being taken to demonstrate or express something, often in a formal context. Example: "The company organized a charity event as a show of support for the local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a show of good faith, Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It was also done as a show of good faith".

The New York Times

He sees Wednesday's attack as a show of power in a battle for supremacy between gangs.

The Guardian

But the organizers chose to grace New York this time as a show of solidarity.

The New York Times

The countries often fire missiles as a show of strength around peace talks.

The New York Times

Russia, however, sees them as a show of force in its backyard.

The New York Times

The meeting went ahead as a show of defiance to the terrorists.

The Guardian

The editor of La Repubblica called his bill "weakness, disguised as a show of strength".

The New Yorker

How should we view such flagrant homage — as a show of humility, or of arrogance?

The New Yorker

The infielders gathered at the mound, mainly as a show of support, Mussina said.

The New York Times - Sports

There, Friedan was asked to wear a lavender armband as a show of solidarity.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a show of" to clearly indicate that an action is performed to express or demonstrate a specific intention, feeling, or quality. For instance, "The company donated funds as a show of support for the local community".

Common error

Avoid using "as a show of" in very casual or informal situations where simpler expressions like "to show" or "to demonstrate" would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a show of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that introduces the purpose or motivation behind an action. It modifies a verb or a noun to explain why something is being done. As seen in Ludwig, it adds a layer of intentionality to the action described.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a show of" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates the reason or motivation behind an action, often emphasizing its symbolic or expressive nature. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and primarily used in news and media contexts. When writing, use "as a show of" to explicitly state that an action is intended to demonstrate a specific feeling or intention. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal registers. Alternatives like "as a demonstration of" and "as an expression of" offer similar meanings, and it can also function as an adjective modifying a noun.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a demonstration of

Replaces "show" with "demonstration", emphasizing the act of displaying something.

as an expression of

Focuses on conveying a feeling or thought rather than a physical display.

as an indication of

Highlights the phrase's use to suggest something is the case.

in a display of

Changes the structure to start with "in", maintaining the meaning of a public demonstration.

to demonstrate

Simplifies the phrase to its core purpose: demonstrating something.

to exhibit

Implies a more formal or deliberate display of something.

by way of illustrating

Adds a layer of formality, suggesting the action is meant to clarify something.

as a token of

Suggests the action is a symbolic gesture.

by means of

Highlights the action as a method of showing something.

for the purpose of

Emphasizes the intention behind the action.

FAQs

How can I use "as a show of" in a sentence?

Use "as a show of" to indicate that an action is being performed to demonstrate a particular feeling, intention, or quality. For example, "They released the prisoners "as a show of good faith"".

What are some alternatives to "as a show of"?

You can use alternatives such as "as a demonstration of", "as an expression of", or "as an indication of" depending on the specific context.

Is "as a show of" formal or informal?

"As a show of" leans towards the formal side. In informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "to show" or "to demonstrate".

What's the difference between "as a show of support" and "to show support"?

"As a show of support" is more emphatic and often implies a deliberate, public demonstration. "To show support" is a more general statement of intent or action.