he showed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he showed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action where someone demonstrated or revealed something to another person. Example: "He showed his friends the new painting he had created."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He showed….

The New Yorker

"Today, he showed it".

The New York Times - Sports

He showed no regret.

The New York Times

"He showed me courage.

The New York Times - Sports

He showed a prototype.

The New Yorker

He showed his wife, he showed me.

The Guardian

He showed them wrong.

Harvard Business Review

He showed Obrist some drawings.

The New Yorker

He showed me true greatness".

The New York Times - Sports

He showed us a blackjack.

The New Yorker

He showed me the patent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he showed" when you want to emphasize a clear demonstration or presentation of something, whether it's a physical object, a skill, or an emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "he showed" repetitively in close proximity without varying the phrasing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Consider using synonyms like "he demonstrated", "he revealed", or "he displayed" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he showed" primarily functions as a verb phrase in the past tense. It indicates that a subject performed an action of demonstrating, revealing, or displaying something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he showed" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to indicate that someone demonstrated, revealed, or displayed something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable for use in writing. Its frequent appearance in news and media contexts suggests a neutral register, making it suitable for a wide range of communication. While "he showed" is a very common phrase, varying your word choice can make your writing style more powerful. Alternatives such as "he demonstrated" or "he revealed" can convey similar meanings with subtle differences. Be mindful of overuse and ensure the context is clear to maximize impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he demonstrated

This alternative emphasizes the act of proving or making something clear through action or example.

he revealed

This alternative focuses on making something known that was previously hidden or secret.

he displayed

This alternative highlights the act of presenting something for others to see.

he exhibited

Similar to 'displayed', this suggests a more formal presentation or showing.

he presented

This alternative is often used when formally introducing something, like data or a proposal.

he indicated

This suggests a less direct way of showing, implying or signaling something.

he manifested

This alternative indicates that something became apparent or obvious.

he made apparent

This phrase is used when something was made clear to others.

he brought to light

This alternative suggests uncovering or revealing something previously unknown.

he laid bare

This implies a more emphatic and thorough revealing of something.

FAQs

How can I use "he showed" in a sentence?

The phrase "he showed" is used to indicate that someone demonstrated, revealed, or displayed something. For example, "He showed his work" or "he showed his appreciation".

What are some alternatives to "he showed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "he demonstrated", "he revealed", or "he displayed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "he showed me" or "he show me"?

"He showed me" is the correct past tense form. "He show me" is grammatically incorrect. The past tense of 'show' is 'showed'.

What's the difference between "he showed" and "he demonstrated"?

While both phrases are similar, "he showed" generally implies a simpler act of displaying or revealing, whereas "he demonstrated" suggests a more deliberate and skillful act of proving something through action or example.