it portrays that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it portrays that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used when discussing how something represents or depicts a particular idea or theme, but the word "that" is unnecessary and awkward in this context. Example: "The painting portrays the struggles of the working class."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I don't think it portrays that individual too well but it's how it could influence other people in the game and a real bad example of what our sport is about.

The Guardian - Sport

"Because it portrays that we are nation of happy, harmless kiwis".

Vice

It portrays (that) everybody there was happy to see me". But for Stirm's older daughter, Lorrie Kitching, the photo captures a wonderful, pure moment in time.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And Battlefront portrays that perfectly.

Vice

It is disingenuous to take an argument that Congress should pass an immunity statute and then use it to portray that person as believing that the Constitution already confers immunity.

Los Angeles Times

Was it difficult to portray that switch?

Huffington Post

What's more, the central bank may be too optimistic in the recovery it portrays after that.

The Economist

Mr. Lietzau said it was wrong to portray that group as "cleared".

The New York Times

It's tough to portray that, particularly from Julia's perspective.

The Guardian

Mr. Lietzau said it was wrong to portray that group as "cleared". The government considers them part of the enemy, and the courts, he said, did not order their release.

The New York Times

"The movie is really about an individual's inner journey," Mr. Dillon said, adding, "It's hard to portray that sort of spiritual pilgrimage in film in a way that you can in a book".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "it portrays that" in formal writing. Instead, use more concise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "it portrays" or "it depicts".

Common error

The word "that" is often unnecessary after "portrays". Removing it creates a smoother and more grammatically sound sentence: use "it portrays" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it portrays that" functions as a declarative statement, aiming to describe how something is depicted or represented. However, it's grammatically awkward. As Ludwig AI suggests, the word 'that' is generally unnecessary, making the phrase less effective than simply saying "it portrays".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it portrays that" aims to describe representation or depiction, it's grammatically incorrect and sounds awkward. Ludwig AI highlights that removing "that" results in a smoother and more effective sentence. Its usage is relatively rare and spans across neutral contexts such as news and media, but it should be avoided in formal writing. Instead, opt for alternatives like "it depicts", "it represents", or simply "it portrays" for clearer and more grammatically sound communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it depicts that

Replaces "portrays" with "depicts", focusing on visual representation; maintains similar structure and meaning.

it represents that

Substitutes "portrays" with "represents", emphasizing symbolic meaning instead of direct portrayal.

it illustrates that

Uses "illustrates" instead of "portrays", highlighting clarification and example-setting qualities.

it shows that

Replaces "portrays" with "shows", a more direct and less formal way of indicating demonstration or visibility.

it conveys that

Emphasizes the communication or transmission of an idea, feeling, or impression.

it expresses that

Focuses on the outward articulation of an internal state or idea.

it reflects that

Suggests that something mirrors or corresponds to a particular state or condition.

it reveals that

Indicates the unveiling or disclosure of something previously hidden or unknown.

it suggests that

Implies an idea without stating it explicitly; offers a softer, less direct assertion.

it implies that

Similar to "suggests that", but emphasizes that the meaning is hinted at, rather than overtly stated.

FAQs

Is "it portrays that" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "it portrays that" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The word "that" is usually unnecessary and makes the sentence sound awkward. It's better to say "it portrays".

What's a better alternative to "it portrays that"?

You can use alternatives like "it depicts", "it represents", or "it illustrates" depending on the context.

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

You can use "it portrays" to describe how something represents or depicts a particular idea, theme, or image. For example: "The painting portrays the struggles of the working class."

What is the difference between "it portrays that" and "it portrays"?

The phrase "it portrays that" is grammatically incorrect and sounds awkward. The correct and more concise way to express the same idea is by saying "it portrays". Using "it portrays" makes the sentence smoother and grammatically sound.