has shown himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has shown himself' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who has demonstrated or revealed their capabilities or qualities over time. For example: "The new CEO has shown himself to be a competent and capable leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He has shown himself to be an unreliable analyst.

The New York Times

Putin has shown himself indifferent about far more.

The Guardian - Arts

Romney has shown himself to be nearly catatonic.

The New York Times

In his past work Jonathan Coe has shown himself more than capable of doing just that.

The New York Times - Books

He has shown himself to be a desperate candidate, running a campaign of negative personal attacks.

The New York Times

His opposite number at Dundee, Paul Hartley, has shown himself fond of rapid recruitment drives.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Levine has shown himself to be brilliant at managing people's talent.

The New York Times

"He has shown himself to be a very cool-under-fire kind of guy".

The New York Times

Cruickshank has shown himself to be more than a match for the wily banks.

The Guardian - Money

That's bound to create more chaos, but Trump has shown himself to be adept at chaos.

The New Yorker

3. (C) In Paktya, Hamdard has shown himself to be a very charismatic leader.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has shown himself" to describe a pattern of behavior or consistent display of a particular characteristic over time, rather than a one-time event.

Common error

Avoid using "has shown himself" when the action isn't reflexive. Ensure the subject is acting upon themselves, not merely displaying a quality to others. For example, use "has shown his skills" instead of "has shown himself" if the intent is to display the skills to other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has shown himself" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a person has revealed or demonstrated certain qualities, behaviors, or capabilities through their actions. This is supported by examples found on Ludwig, where the phrase is used to describe someone's proven abilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has shown himself" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe someone who has demonstrated particular qualities or characteristics over time. Predominantly found in news and media, according to Ludwig, it serves to assess and evaluate an individual based on their observable actions. Ludwig AI confirms its broad acceptability, while suggesting that more formal alternatives might exist for specific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that it refers to a reflexive action where the subject is acting upon themselves, and focus on illustrating a pattern of behavior rather than a singular event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has proven himself

Replaces "shown" with "proven", emphasizing the establishment of qualities through evidence.

has displayed his competence

Highlights competence, a specific type of ability, as being displayed.

has demonstrated his ability

More explicit, specifying that ability has been demonstrated instead of implied.

has distinguished himself

Implies the person has stood out from others due to their actions or qualities.

has established himself as

Focuses on establishing a reputation or position, rather than simply showing qualities.

has given evidence of being

More formal and cautious, highlighting the evidence supporting a particular quality.

has revealed his true nature

Implies a discovery or unveiling of inherent traits, rather than a learned or developed skill.

has presented himself as

Emphasizes the presentation of an image or persona, which may or may not be genuine.

has conducted himself as

Focuses on behavior and conduct, rather than inherent qualities or abilities.

has made a name for himself

Suggests the person has gained recognition or fame.

FAQs

How do I use "has shown himself" in a sentence?

Use "has shown himself" to indicate that someone has revealed their character, skills, or qualities over time through their actions. For instance, "The new manager "has shown himself" to be a capable leader".

What are some alternatives to "has shown himself"?

You can use alternatives such as "has proven himself", "has demonstrated his ability", or "has established himself as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "has shown himself" formal or informal?

"Has shown himself" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or highly professional settings.

What's the difference between "has shown himself to be" and "has shown that he is"?

"Has shown himself to be" is a more concise way of saying "has demonstrated through his actions that he is". The former is often preferred for its brevity and directness, while the latter provides more explicit detail. Both are grammatically correct.