manifest themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "manifest themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to things becoming visible, apparent, or obvious. For example: "The consequences of his poor decisions began to manifest themselves more and more as time wore on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These disparities manifest themselves in many ways.

The New York Times

But slumps manifest themselves universally.

The New York Times - Sports

Over time, though, the distinctions manifest themselves.

The New York Times - Travel

The difficulties manifest themselves in several ways.

The New York Times

Sport is one of the ways those things manifest themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

The benefits manifest themselves in many surprising ways.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The effects on the ruling coalition should manifest themselves soon.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But these reasons must all manifest themselves in brain architecture".

The Guardian

Racism, xenophobia, Jew hatred, all manifest themselves at the footie.

The Guardian

You just can't control how those characteristics manifest themselves.

The Guardian - Sport

And the budgetary concerns manifest themselves in unexpected ways.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "manifest themselves" to describe how abstract concepts, issues, or changes become concrete and observable in specific situations.

Common error

Avoid using "manifest themselves" when a simpler verb like "appear" or "happen" would suffice. This phrase is most effective when describing the complex emergence of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manifest themselves" functions as a verb phrase indicating how abstract or latent qualities, problems, or changes become visible or apparent. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's used to describe the emergence of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "manifest themselves" is a versatile expression used to describe how something abstract or hidden becomes visible or apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in science, news, and formal business contexts, it carries a neutral to formal tone. Related phrases include "become apparent" and "reveal themselves", each with nuanced differences. When writing, it’s best to use "manifest themselves" when describing the emergence of complex issues rather than simple occurrences. Remember to use "itself" for singular subjects and "themselves" for plural ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become visible

Focuses directly on the act of becoming able to be seen.

make themselves evident

Highlights the act of actively demonstrating or proving something.

become apparent

Focuses on the clarity and obviousness of something becoming visible.

reveal themselves

Emphasizes the act of something previously hidden coming into view.

come to light

Indicates that something previously unknown is now revealed.

be displayed

Highlights the act of showing something, often intentionally.

materialize

Suggests something is becoming real or concrete.

show up

A more informal way of saying something becomes present or visible.

surface

Implies something coming to the top or becoming noticeable after being submerged.

unfold

Conveys a gradual process of revelation or development.

FAQs

How can I use "manifest themselves" in a sentence?

Use "manifest themselves" to describe how something abstract or hidden becomes visible or apparent. For example, "The benefits of the new policy will "manifest themselves" over time".

What are some alternatives to "manifest themselves"?

Alternatives include "become apparent", "reveal themselves", or "show up". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "manifest itself" or "manifest themselves"?

Use "manifest itself" when referring to a singular subject, and "manifest themselves" when referring to a plural subject. For example, "The problem will manifest itself soon," versus "The problems will "manifest themselves" later."

What's the difference between "manifest themselves" and "become evident"?

"Manifest themselves" implies a process of becoming visible or apparent, often involving a transformation or gradual unfolding. "Become evident" simply means something is now clear or obvious.