did show up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did show up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something arrived or appeared at a specific time or event. Example: "Despite the bad weather, she did show up to the meeting on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Manning did show up for camp.

The New York Times

"We did show up to party, I promise".

The New York Times

When they did show up, they often did not pay.

The New York Times

(They did show up, but did not sing).

The New Yorker

"Those who did show up encountered a leader under pressure.

The Guardian

Mr. Bush did show up, and he spoke articulately.

The New York Times

And she did show up to take the heat.

The New York Times - Magazine

Later, another activist said the observers did show up, but only met with the governor.

The New York Times

But if they did show up on the Web, Dangerous Minds would find it before you.

The New Yorker

If he did show up in Silicon Valley, he would certainly stand out.

The New York Times - Tech

On Election Night, Yushchenko never did show up at Ukrainian House.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did show up" to emphasize that someone actually attended or appeared, especially when their presence was uncertain or unexpected.

Common error

Avoid using "did show up" in highly formal writing where more sophisticated vocabulary like "attended" or "appeared" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did show up" functions as a phrasal verb used to emphasize that someone or something actually arrived or appeared. The auxiliary verb "did" adds emphasis, indicating that the arrival was perhaps unexpected or particularly noteworthy. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did show up" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrasal verb that emphasizes the act of arriving or appearing. Ludwig AI shows its widespread presence in news and media, often implying a degree of surprise or effort. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to slightly informal contexts, and alternatives like "actually appeared" or "made an appearance" may be preferable in more formal settings. Remember to use it when you want to stress that someone's presence was notable or perhaps unexpected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actually appeared

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the appearance.

really turned up

Adds a sense of surprise or unexpectedness to the arrival.

made an appearance

Focuses on the act of appearing, often briefly.

was present

States a simple fact of being at a location or event.

arrived on the scene

Implies a specific location or event where arrival is noteworthy.

put in an appearance

Similar to "made an appearance", but might suggest a less enthusiastic arrival.

materialized

Suggests appearing as if from nowhere.

came into view

Focuses on becoming visible.

eventually arrived

Highlights that the arrival occurred after some delay or expectation.

turned out

Expresses that someone ended up appearing despite uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "did show up" in a sentence?

Use "did show up" to emphasize the act of someone appearing or attending, especially when their presence was in doubt. For example, "Despite the rain, he "did show up" to the game."

What can I say instead of "did show up"?

You can use alternatives like "actually appeared", "really turned up", or "made an appearance" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "did show up" or "showed up"?

Both "did show up" and "showed up" are grammatically correct, but "did show up" adds emphasis to the fact that someone actually appeared. For example, "I didn't think he would come, but he "did show up"" emphasizes his presence more than "he showed up".

What's the difference between "did show up" and "was present"?

"Was present" simply indicates that someone was at a location or event. "Did show up" emphasizes the action of arriving or appearing, often implying a sense of surprise or overcoming an obstacle to be there.