it illustrates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it illustrates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain or demonstrate how something is represented or shown, often in relation to a concept or idea. Example: "The graph is quite revealing; it illustrates the trend in sales over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It illustrates the breath of the field and its role to address environmental issues.

Stanford University

Make it "illustrates".

The New York Times

It illustrates how stereotypes work.

Princeton University

"It illustrates wide social reforms".

The New York Times - Arts

"But it illustrates the confusion".

The New York Times

"It illustrates the complexity of the mission".

The New York Times

It illustrates his commitment to criminal justice.

The New Yorker

It illustrates a simple idea beautifully.

The Guardian

It illustrates the work through two examples.

Product Experience

It illustrates another of his favorite themes, metamorphosis.

The New York Times

It illustrates an interesting roadblock in the country's social evolution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it illustrates" to introduce an example or visual aid that helps clarify a complex concept or process. It's particularly effective when you want to show, not just tell, your audience about something.

Common error

Avoid beginning too many consecutive sentences with "it illustrates". This can make your writing repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "this demonstrates", "for example", or by directly integrating the illustrative element into your description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it illustrates" functions as a demonstrative connector, linking a preceding statement to an example, figure, or further explanation that clarifies or supports the initial point. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to visually or concretely represent a concept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it illustrates" is a versatile phrase used to introduce examples or clarifications, primarily found in news, scientific, and academic writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. To avoid repetition, consider alternatives like "it demonstrates", "it shows", or "it exemplifies", depending on the context. Remember that while "this illustrates" and ""it illustrates"" are both correct, "this" usually refers to something immediately preceding, while "it" can refer to a broader concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it demonstrates

Focuses on the action of proving or showing something clearly, shifting from visual representation to evidence-based support.

it exemplifies

Highlights the instance as a prime example, changing the focus to representation through a model case.

it shows

Offers a more general term for presenting information, reducing the emphasis on detailed representation.

it highlights

Emphasizes the importance or prominence of something, changing the focus to drawing attention to key aspects.

it clarifies

Indicates the act of making something easier to understand, switching from visual or descriptive presentation to enhanced comprehension.

it reveals

Focuses on uncovering or disclosing information, shifting the emphasis to making something known that was previously hidden.

it portrays

Highlights the manner in which something is represented, focusing on a specific depiction or rendering.

it depicts

Indicates a visual representation or description, similar to illustrates but more specific to imagery.

it embodies

Implies being a tangible or visible form of an idea or quality, transforming the phrase to mean representing in concrete terms.

it signifies

Changes the focus to indicating a meaning or message, moving away from pure demonstration to symbolic representation.

FAQs

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

"It illustrates" is typically used to introduce an example or visual aid that clarifies a point. For instance, "The graph is quite revealing; "it illustrates" the trend in sales over the past year."

What can I say instead of "it illustrates"?

You can use alternatives like "it demonstrates", "it shows", or "it exemplifies" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "this illustrates" instead of "it illustrates"?

Both "this illustrates" and ""it illustrates"" are grammatically correct, but "this illustrates" often refers to something that was just mentioned, while "it illustrates" can refer to something more general or previously established.

What is the difference between "it illustrates" and "it explains"?

"It illustrates" is used to show or demonstrate something visually or through example, whereas "it explains" is used to provide a reason or make something understandable through words or analysis.