illustrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'illustrate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain or make something clear by giving examples or pictures. Example sentence: She used diagrams to illustrate her point.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As RTE ringmaster Bill O'Herlihy tut-tutted in a fatherly and faux po-faced fashion, pundit Eamon Dunphy got to work with his new toy, an electronic pen with which he could enhance and illustrate his analysis by drawing white lines, circles, arrows and squiggles on a monitor after pausing the VT with an often aggressive roar of "Stop it there!" at some unseen flunkie in the production suite.

The Guardian - Sport

So did our reluctance, until late in the last parliament, to sufficiently illustrate that we took deficit reduction seriously.

The Guardian - Opinion

The comments, and the backlash against them, illustrate how a tormented racial history dating back centuries is in constant tension with the aspiration of a "rainbow nation".

The Guardian

By this we mean that it's often better to illustrate something rather than to simply tell the reader.

The Guardian

Ron Austin Hadleigh, Suffolk David Cameron's closing comments perfectly illustrate the paucity of vision of today's pygmy politicians.

The Guardian

"What this scenario helps to illustrate is how buy-to-let has not only provided very strong returns for average investors since 1996 but how it has enabled a cohort of ambitious investors to become seriously wealthy," the report said.

The Guardian - Money

Comics fans and people new to the form alike will enjoy these great stories that illustrate the potential of this extraordinary storytelling form, a form that is becoming increasingly influential internationally.

The Guardian - Books

This story seems to me to illustrate a side, at least, of Jane Bown's genius, the source of which she never properly understood herself and about which she remained gracefully modest.

The Guardian - Arts

At the pope's general audience this week he outlined the traits of a good father and told a story to illustrate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Within the last week, Scottish teens have showcased what a playful prime minister we've just lost, while in a London college pre-voters massed around Nick Clegg, who needed something to illustrate "the biggest shake-up of our democracy" since the Great Reform Act.

The Guardian - Opinion

In an attempt to illustrate this, MIT researcher Ethan Zuckerman published an extraordinary blog post last Wednesday.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illustrate", make sure your examples are relevant and directly related to the concept you are explaining. Irrelevant examples can confuse your audience and weaken your argument.

Common error

Avoid simply providing illustrations without explaining how they connect to your main point. Always clarify the relevance of each illustration to ensure your message is clear and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The word "illustrate" functions primarily as a transitive verb. It signifies the act of clarifying or explaining something, often by providing examples, visual aids, or detailed descriptions. Ludwig AI also confirms its standard usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "illustrate" is a versatile verb used to clarify and explain concepts, often through examples or visual aids. With 69 real-world examples, Ludwig confirms its very common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. Its neutral register and high source quality, with an expert rating of 4.6, make it a reliable choice for enhancing understanding. To ensure effective communication, remember to provide relevant illustrations and clearly explain their connection to your main point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain

A general term for making something understandable.

clarify

Focuses on making something easier to understand, often by removing ambiguity.

exemplify

Highlights the use of examples to demonstrate a concept or idea.

demonstrate

Emphasizes the act of showing how something works or is done.

elucidate

Suggests a more thorough and detailed explanation, often of something complex.

show

Implies a visual or practical demonstration.

depict

Focuses on providing a visual representation or description.

highlight

Emphasizes a particular aspect or feature to make it more noticeable.

interpret

Involves explaining the meaning of something, often from a specific perspective.

portray

To describe someone or something in a narrative.

FAQs

How can I use "illustrate" in a sentence?

You can use "illustrate" to introduce an example or visual aid that helps explain a concept. For instance, "Let me "illustrate" this point with a graph" or "This example "illustrates" the importance of teamwork".

What are some alternatives to the word "illustrate"?

Alternatives to "illustrate" include "clarify", "exemplify", "demonstrate", "elucidate", and "explain". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "illustrate" or "illustration"?

"Illustrate" is a verb meaning to explain or make clear with examples or pictures. "Illustration" is a noun referring to the example or picture itself. For example, "The speaker will "illustrate" his point, and the "illustration" will be very helpful".

What's the difference between "illustrate" and "depict"?

"Illustrate" typically refers to clarifying a point or concept, often with examples. "Depict" refers to representing something visually, usually through a drawing or image. You "illustrate" an idea, but you "depict" a scene.