it didn't show

USAGE SUMMARY

"it didn't show" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something was not evident or visible, either literally or figuratively. Example: I asked him to demonstrate his skill, but unfortunately it didn't show.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or it didn't show.

The New York Times

It didn't show where the plane was.

The Washington Post

If Williams was afraid, it didn't show.

The New York Times - Sports

But if so, it didn't show.

The Guardian - Sport

"It didn't show harm," Dr. Thompson said.

The New York Times

It didn't show them as human beings".

The Guardian

"So it didn't matter, it didn't show.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It didn't show audacity and the fulfillment of that potential.

The New York Times

But if this angered Mr. Mitchell, it didn't show.

The New York Times

You could actually weave it so it didn't show.

The New York Times

It didn't show how much I was hiding.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it didn't show" to subtly indicate a lack of outward signs, especially when implying an underlying condition or feeling that is being concealed.

Common error

Avoid using "it didn't show" when a more active construction would be clearer. For instance, instead of "The scan was performed, but it didn't show any abnormalities", write "The scan didn't show any abnormalities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it didn't show" functions as a statement indicating a lack of visible or apparent evidence. It is typically used to negate an expected or potential outward manifestation of an internal state or condition. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it didn't show" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a lack of visible or apparent evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase implies a discrepancy between an expected or potential outward manifestation and what was actually observed. When using "it didn't show", consider alternatives like "it wasn't apparent" or "there was no sign of it" for subtle variations in meaning. Avoid misusing it in passive constructions for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it wasn't apparent

Focuses on the lack of obviousness or visibility.

it wasn't visible

Highlights the absence of visual evidence.

it wasn't evident

Emphasizes the lack of clear indication or proof.

it didn't reveal

Focuses on the absence of disclosure or manifestation.

there was no sign of it

Indicates a complete lack of any indication.

it gave no indication

Highlights the lack of hints or clues.

it didn't betray

Suggests that something was concealed or not revealed involuntarily.

it wasn't betrayed

Suggests the lack of involuntary revelation.

it failed to manifest

Emphasizes the absence of a clear appearance or realization.

there was no evidence of it

Highlights the complete absence of proof or confirmation.

FAQs

How can I use "it didn't show" in a sentence?

You can use "it didn't show" to indicate that something was not apparent or visible. For example, "If he was nervous, "it didn't show"" suggests his nervousness was concealed.

What's an alternative to saying "it didn't show"?

Alternatives include "it wasn't apparent", "it wasn't visible", or "there was no sign of it", depending on the context.

Is "it didn't show" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it didn't show" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a lack of visible evidence or outward sign.

What does "it didn't show" imply?

"It didn't show" implies that something was not outwardly apparent, suggesting a potential contrast between an internal state and external appearance. You can use alternative such as "it wasn't evident", to express the same concept.