illustrate about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'illustrate about' is not correct and it is not a usable phrase in written English.
Instead, you could use the phrase 'illustrate' when providing an example or a visual example of a concept or idea. For example, "I can illustrate how the two sides of the argument differ by providing a chart."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

What do Frank's compilations illustrate about her as a writer?

The New York Times

What do your own ordeals illustrate about the hazards of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship?

The New York Times

What does the interactive illustrate about how the Bush tax cuts affected wealthy Americans?

The New York Times

–What do the images on the "national face" illustrate about the values and history of this country?

The New York Times

Anyway, he had a fascinating story to tell – using court artist's impressions to illustrate – about the judicial system we invented, with its cornerstones of jury and precedent.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Richard J. Wattenmaker, director of the Archives of American Art in Washington, is writing the essay for the catalog, which is to illustrate about 100 works in color and 200 others in black and white.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Since then he has illustrated about 300 books, from nursery rhymes to the Folio Society's Don Quixote.

The Guardian - Books

All three types of instruments were described and illustrated about 1440 by Henri Arnaut of Zwolle, personal physician of Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy.

Britannica

Mr. Simont also illustrated about a dozen titles he wrote himself, including "The Goose That Almost Got Cooked" (1997), the tale of a narrow gastronomic escape.

The New York Times - Books

He illustrated about 80moree.

Los Angeles Times

Iranian newspapers are running front-page caricatures of Trump and Clinton to illustrate stories about their accusations against each other.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "illustrate about". The correct usage is simply "illustrate" followed by the object you are clarifying. For example, "Illustrate the concept with a diagram."

Common error

A common mistake is adding unnecessary prepositions after "illustrate", such as "about", "on", or "of". Always use "illustrate" directly followed by what you are illustrating. Avoid saying "illustrate about", "illustrate on", or "illustrate of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illustrate about" is grammatically incorrect. The verb "illustrate" functions to clarify or explain something, typically by providing an example or visual aid. Ludwig AI confirms this is generally an incorrect usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "illustrate about" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. While Ludwig provides examples of its use, they represent errors, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The correct form is simply "illustrate" followed by the object you wish to clarify. Use alternatives like "explain" or "demonstrate" when appropriate. Remember to avoid adding unnecessary prepositions after the verb "illustrate" in formal and informal writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illustrate

This is the correct verb form without the unnecessary preposition.

clarify

Emphasizes the removal of confusion or ambiguity.

provide an example of

Uses a more common and grammatically sound phrase for offering an example.

elucidate on

Focuses on making something clearer through detailed explanation.

demonstrate

Highlights the act of proving or showing something through evidence or example.

explain

Offers a general term for making something understandable.

exemplify

Focuses on providing a specific example to represent a broader concept.

show

Suggests a visual or direct presentation of information.

give an illustration of

Rephrases the concept using a noun form of "illustration".

shed light on

Emphasizes the act of making something more understandable or visible.

FAQs

How do I properly use "illustrate" in a sentence?

Use "illustrate" followed directly by the concept or object you are clarifying. For example, "Illustrate the process with a flowchart" is correct, while "Illustrate about the process" is incorrect.

What can I say instead of "illustrate about"?

Since "illustrate about" is grammatically incorrect, use alternatives like simply "illustrate", "explain", or "demonstrate" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "illustrate the point" or "illustrate about the point"?

"Illustrate the point" is the correct usage. Adding "about" after "illustrate" is grammatically incorrect.

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

"Illustrate" often implies providing a visual or concrete example, while "describe" involves giving a detailed account using words. You illustrate with a diagram, but describe with text.