illustrate it with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illustrate it with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone to provide an example or visual representation to clarify a point or concept. Example: "To better understand the theory, please illustrate it with a relevant diagram."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

We describe the framework and illustrate it with examples to show its features.

Decision Support Systems

There was pride in both bigness and smallness: "The British could not – and still cannot – imagine what size they are". As for "the long 20th century twilight of the northern metaphor", Horne chose to illustrate it with a brilliant examination of the word "provincial", with all its implications of the dowdy and the second rate.

The Guardian - Opinion

First the sexy idea, then how to illustrate it with a lot of loud singing.

The New York Times - Arts

And why illustrate it with an image of an 1860 asylum ?

The Guardian - Opinion

He said he planned to illustrate it with wooden scholar's objects, which he has been collecting for nearly 30 years.

The New York Times - Arts

We show that the diagnosis approach is correct and illustrate it with realistic examples.

Data & Knowledge Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Mr. Johnson must spend a lot of time explaining the concept of emergence and illustrating it with examples before he can look at its social implications, and he frequently repeats the same information from slightly different angles.

The New York Times - Books

This week's Radio Times splashed the documentary Dara Ó Briain Meets Stephen Hawking (BBC1) on its cover, promising "The Real Stephen Hawking", and illustrating it with a picture of handsome young Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne playing the character of Stephen Hawking in a film.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But need he have illustrated it with this book?

The Economist

The way he said it again, illustrating it with points, his teeth tightening by the sentence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hemingway wrote a story and illustrated it with his own photographs.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illustrate it with", ensure the examples you provide directly and clearly relate to the point you are making. The illustration should enhance understanding, not confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using illustrations that are only tangentially related to your main point. Ensure your examples provide concrete support and avoid broad analogies that lack specific relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illustrate it with" functions as a verb phrase used to introduce examples, visual aids, or other forms of support to clarify or enhance understanding of a particular concept, idea, or statement. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is commonly used to provide clarity through concrete representations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

29%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illustrate it with" is a versatile and commonly used expression for providing examples or visual aids to clarify an idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse domains, notably Science, News & Media and Academia. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, its primary function is to enhance comprehension through concrete representations. Remember to use relevant and clear illustrations to strengthen your arguments. Alternative phrases such as "exemplify it with" or "demonstrate it with" can be used based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exemplify it with

Replaces "illustrate" with "exemplify", focusing on providing a representative example.

demonstrate it with

Substitutes "illustrate" with "demonstrate", suggesting a more active or proof-oriented approach.

show it with

Uses the simpler verb "show" instead of "illustrate", making it less formal.

support it with examples

Rephrases to emphasize the use of examples as a form of support.

clarify it with

Shifts the focus to making something clearer using examples.

highlight it with

Uses "highlight" to emphasize specific aspects using illustrative examples.

present it with

Suggests a formal presentation of something along with examples.

use as an illustration

Inverts the structure to focus on the act of using something as an illustration.

back it up with evidence

Emphasizes providing concrete evidence, which can include illustrations.

offer a visual representation

Focuses on providing a visual depiction to explain an abstract concept.

FAQs

How can I use "illustrate it with" in a sentence?

You can use "illustrate it with" to introduce examples or visual aids that clarify a point. For example, "To understand this concept better, let's illustrate it with a real-world scenario."

What can I say instead of "illustrate it with"?

You can use alternatives like "exemplify it with", "demonstrate it with", or "show it with" depending on the context.

Is it better to "illustrate it with" examples or "demonstrate it with" examples?

Both phrases are correct, but "illustrate it with" is generally used for providing a visual or descriptive example, while "demonstrate it with" implies showing proof or functionality through examples.

How formal is the phrase "illustrate it with"?

The phrase "illustrate it with" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider more sophisticated alternatives like "elucidate it with" or "substantiate it with".