illustrates to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illustrates to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct form would be "illustrates" followed by the subject or object without "to." Example: "The diagram illustrates the process of photosynthesis."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

And as this show illustrates, to this day the legend is kept alive by Ethiopian artists.

The New York Times - Arts

"This illustrates to me that anyone is vulnerable to an effective scam artist," Mr. Willey said.

The New York Times

It allows the police, as this example illustrates, to accuse someone of a crime in advance of arrest, charge and trial.

The Guardian

It is easy in a sense to take the city's homeless people off the streets, but it is harder, as Johnny's odyssey illustrates, to take homelessness out of them.

The New York Times

Wilson could see the whole work as a "time/space construction" from first discussions he says – using the back of a boarding pass and illustrates to me the structural process through which he conceived it.

The Guardian

You dip it and it will go from being totally clean to completely black, which powerfully illustrates to people that there is really something wrong with their water if they don't practise sanitation," Aiyar said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"We are in an infancy of illustrating to the world who it is that we are".

The New York Times

This is illustrated to great effect in the hands-on DIY department.

The Guardian - Tech

Each is richly illustrated to emphasise the wit behind the words.

The Guardian - Books

It illustrated to this Manhattanite the sense of community small-town dwellers must feel.

The New York Times

That illustrated to me how women's stories have been overshadowed throughout history.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "illustrates to". The verb 'illustrate' typically takes a direct object. Instead, use 'illustrates' followed directly by what it is illustrating. For example, instead of "This illustrates to me...", say "This illustrates...".

Common error

Do not add the preposition 'to' after "illustrates". This is a common grammatical error. Remember that 'illustrate' is a transitive verb in most contexts, meaning it directly acts upon an object without needing 'to'.

Linguistic Context

Illustrates functions as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It signifies the act of clarifying or explaining something, typically through examples or visual aids. Ludwig AI indicates that the addition of 'to' is incorrect.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "illustrates to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. The verb "illustrates" should be followed directly by its object without the preposition 'to'. Ludwig AI highlights the non-standard usage. Correct alternatives include simply using "illustrates" or employing synonyms like "demonstrates", "shows", or "exemplifies". Understanding this distinction is crucial for maintaining grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illustrates

Omits the unnecessary 'to', correcting the grammatical error.

demonstrates

Replaces 'illustrates' with a synonym that doesn't require a preposition in this context.

shows

Offers a simpler, more direct synonym for 'illustrates'.

exemplifies

Provides a more formal synonym for 'illustrates', emphasizing the use of an example.

elucidates

Suggests a more in-depth clarification than 'illustrates'.

serves to illustrate

Uses a more verbose construction to achieve a similar meaning while being grammatically correct.

highlights

Focuses on emphasizing a particular aspect, similar to illustrating it.

makes clear

Emphasizes the clarification aspect of illustrating.

presents

Focuses on the action of showing or displaying something.

portrays

Emphasizes the act of depicting something, often visually or figuratively.

FAQs

How should I correctly use the word "illustrates" in a sentence?

Use "illustrates" followed directly by the object it clarifies or demonstrates. For example, "The diagram illustrates the process". Avoid adding 'to' after "illustrates".

What is a good alternative to the incorrect phrase "illustrates to"?

Use the verb "illustrates" alone, or try alternatives like "demonstrates", "shows", or "exemplifies" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference in meaning between "illustrates" and "illustrates to"?

The phrase "illustrates to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "illustrates", which means to clarify or explain by giving examples or demonstrations. Adding 'to' is redundant and creates an ungrammatical construction.

Can I use a preposition after "illustrates" in any context?

While "illustrate" doesn't typically require a preposition like 'to', you might use other prepositions in different contexts. For instance, "illustrate with examples" is correct, but "illustrates to" is not standard English.