illustrates how

USAGE SUMMARY

"illustrates how" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to show how something works, how to do something, or how two things are related. For example: This example illustrates how friction affects the speed of an object.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jamal's arrest illustrates how radically ICE's approach has shifted.

The New Yorker

Moreover, it also illustrates how online publication scores over print.

The Guardian - Opinion

Enron's lawsuit illustrates how acrimonious the merger effort became.

The New York Times

Uzbekistan illustrates how hard that change will be.

The New York Times

Mr. Rooney's article illustrates how upside-down our values are.

The New York Times

Stiglitz amply illustrates how Treasury and the I.M.F.

The New York Times - Books

In microcosm that illustrates how the whole book works.

The New York Times - Books

Yesterday's earnings report illustrates how far Microsoft has to go.

The New York Times - Tech

It vividly illustrates how overstretched the NHS has become.

The Guardian

An earlier "decentralisation" illustrates how the agenda entrenches regional divisions.

The Guardian

The example illustrates how vulnerable some countries are.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illustrates how", follow it with a concrete example or specific instance to make your explanation more tangible and easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "illustrates how" with examples that are too abstract or complex, which can confuse readers rather than clarify your point. Choose clear, straightforward examples that directly support your explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illustrates how" functions as a connector that introduces an example or explanation to clarify a process, method, or relationship. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically sound and frequently used. It serves to bridge a concept with a concrete demonstration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "illustrates how" serves to introduce examples and explanations that clarify a process, method, or relationship. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in science and news media. It's crucial to pair "illustrates how" with specific and clear examples to effectively enhance understanding. While versatile, avoiding overly complex examples ensures clarity. Related phrases include "demonstrates how" and "shows how", offering similar functions with slight variations in tone. This guide provides best practices, common errors, and related alternatives to improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrates the way

Replaces 'illustrates' with 'demonstrates' and 'how' with 'the way', focusing on the method being shown.

shows how

A more concise and direct alternative, using 'shows' instead of 'illustrates'.

exemplifies how

Uses 'exemplifies' to emphasize that the example is a typical case.

clarifies how

Replaces 'illustrates' with 'clarifies', stressing the act of making something understandable.

elucidates how

A more formal alternative to 'illustrates', meaning to make clear.

highlights the manner in which

A more elaborate phrase that emphasizes the method or process.

reveals the process by which

Focuses on uncovering or making known the underlying process.

presents how

A simple alternative focusing on the act of showing a process.

details the method of

Emphasizes a step-by-step explanation of a particular method.

outlines the way in which

Focuses on providing a structured overview of a method or process.

FAQs

How can I use "illustrates how" in a sentence?

Use "illustrates how" to introduce an example or explanation that clarifies a process, method, or relationship. For instance, "This experiment "illustrates how" the scientific method is applied in practice".

What are some alternatives to "illustrates how"?

You can use alternatives such as "demonstrates how", "shows how", or "exemplifies how" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "illustrates how" and "explains how"?

"Illustrates how" typically introduces an example that makes something clear, while "explains how" involves a more detailed description of a process. "This diagram "illustrates how" the parts fit together", whereas "This manual "explains how" to assemble the device".

Which is correct, "illustrates how" or "illustrates that"?

"Illustrates how" is used to show a process or method. "Illustrates that" indicates that something proves a fact. "This graph "illustrates how" the data changes over time", versus "This study "illustrates that" exercise improves cognitive function".