illustrated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "illustrated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been clearly and vividly described, demonstrated, or expressed. Example sentence: The children's book was beautifully illustrated with vivid imagery and bright colors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For me the lull before the storm was illustrated by the complacent attitude of the Federal Reserve's vice-chairman Stanley Fischer, in his question and answer session after the annual Per Jacobsson lecture – not least when he dismissed that great central banking veteran Paul Volcker's call for a more structured international financial system.

The Guardian

The question is more than philosophical, as illustrated by Sydney percussionist Alon Ilsar.

The Guardian - Music

The remarks illustrated the rising tensions as the talks approach a deadline next Monday.

The Guardian

The disproportionate power of the executive to stifle debate is a widely recognised shortcoming of the Dáil, most starkly illustrated by Kenny's recent refusal to permit a free vote among his party colleagues on the contentious matter of abortion.

The Guardian - Opinion

This sharp decline is illustrated by the once ubiquitous Blockbuster, which closed down its remaining stores at the end of last year.

The Guardian - Business

Who now believes that "light regulation" will encourage banks to contribute to the general good, or that the profit motive – as illustrated by the collapse of Southern Cross – is the best stimulus to high-quality domiciliary care?

The Guardian - Opinion

Bennett illustrated well the impact of cuts to services with a parable of a children's centre worker who once provided a service to the community, used to pay tax and had "a modest amount of income to spend", but is now struggling on Job Seekers Allowance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clancy's attention to equipment and technology reflects growing concerns about cyberwar and drone technology, illustrated by an accidental "quad-copter" crash on White House grounds in January.

The Guardian

Revolving doors are also thriving illustrated by Deloitte's (formerly HMRC's) Dave Hartnett and NHS England's Simon Stevens (formerly United Health group and Blair's adviser).

The Guardian - Business

Perhaps this is best illustrated by the bullying behaviours most cited within academic contexts – threats to professional status and obstructive behaviours, designed to inhibit employees achieving their goals.

The Guardian

That, in turn, illustrated how deft Smith is in planning this type of exercise.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illustrated", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being clarified or exemplified. Providing specific details or examples will strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "illustrated" without providing sufficient context. For instance, instead of saying "The report illustrated the problem", specify how the report did so: "The report illustrated the problem with clear statistical data and compelling case studies."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "illustrated" is to act as a verb, typically in the past tense or as a past participle. It describes the act of clarifying or explaining something using examples, pictures, or other means. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and well-supported.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "illustrated" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of clarifying or explaining something with examples or visuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. For best practice, always provide clear context when using "illustrated" to ensure effective communication. Common alternatives include "demonstrated", "exemplified", and "depicted". Remember to avoid vagueness by specifying how something is "illustrated" for maximum impact. The word "illustrated" enjoys broad usage, and presents no major pitfalls in its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrated

Focuses on showing how something works or is done, often through practical examples.

exemplified

Emphasizes providing a clear example that embodies the characteristics of something.

showcased

Highlights and presents something in an attractive or favorable way.

depicted

Focuses on representing something visually or verbally.

clarified

Emphasizes making something easier to understand, often by providing additional information.

explained

Focuses on providing reasons or causes to make something understandable.

elucidated

Implies making something clear and easily understood, often through detailed explanation.

portrayed

Focuses on presenting a particular image or impression of something.

represented

Focuses on symbolizing or standing for something else.

delineated

Highlights defining something clearly and precisely.

FAQs

How can I use "illustrated" in a sentence?

You can use "illustrated" to show how something is explained or demonstrated. For example, "The professor "illustrated" the concept with a real-world example" or "The book is "illustrated" with detailed diagrams".

What can I say instead of "illustrated"?

You can use alternatives like "demonstrated", "exemplified", or "depicted" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "illustrated by" or "illustrated with"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different uses. "Illustrated by" is used when something is made clear by means of an example or comparison. "Illustrated with" is used when something is adorned or clarified using images or visual aids.

What is the difference between "illustrated" and "explained"?

"Illustrated" implies showing or giving examples to clarify something, while "explained" implies providing reasons or causes to make something understandable. Use "illustrated" when visual or concrete examples are involved; use "explained" when providing a logical or causal understanding is the goal.