please illustrate

USAGE SUMMARY

"please illustrate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most often used when requesting someone to draw, diagram, or provide a visual representation of something. For example, you could say, "Please illustrate how the new software works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Please illustrate why it is that we have misunderstood, or come to the wrong conclusion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A Colombian abroad would be more than pleased to illustrate for you how beautiful their country is and how much they love it, and they will indeed invite you very kindly to visit it with them.

Huffington Post

My companion's penne with spinach, herbs, toasted pine nuts and Parmesan proved equally pleasing and illustrated the eclectic menu's range.

The New York Times - Travel

To illustrate, please see the following photomicrograph of Fos staining in a control animal.

eLife

For Allan Ahlberg he illustrated Please Mrs Butler (1984), The Better Brown Stories (1996) and The Little Cat Baby (2004), and for Leon Garfield The Strange Affair of Adelaide Harris (1971) and Guilt and Gingerbread (1984).

The Guardian - Arts

Please note that these illustrate kinetochore-microtubule attachments under the specific conditions of the experiment and can be from different z planes, or from z planes in other cells in the same experiment.

Current Biology

If you've got a great example that illustrates this myth, please share it so others might learn from it.

Harvard Business Review

Some songs are empty and blustering; others soul-by-numbers efforts in which the singer meekly plays along, illustrating Please Don't Stop the Rain by putting his hands up as if to halt a downpour.

The Guardian - Music

Can you please tell me a story that illustrates your management style?

Forbes

If this is your thing, and you partake in such discussions without physical pain, please bookmark Peter King of Sports Illustrated and get your clicking muscles in shape because King can write almost as fast as you can read.

The New York Times

For further detail, please refer to Table  1, Figure  1 illustrates OCT-derived features of plaque vulnerability.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please illustrate", ensure that the context clearly indicates what you want to be illustrated. Be specific about the aspects you need to be visually represented or clarified.

Common error

Avoid using "please illustrate" without a clear object or subject. For instance, instead of saying "Please illustrate", specify what you want illustrated, such as "Please illustrate the process flow" or "Please illustrate the concept with a diagram".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please illustrate" functions as an imperative, used to directly request someone to provide an illustration or visual representation of something. Ludwig confirms its validity as a standard English expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please illustrate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for requesting a visual representation or detailed explanation. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing that the phrase is common across various domains like science, news, and business. For best practice, ensure that your request is specific and provides sufficient context. Alternatives like "please explain" or "can you demonstrate" offer similar ways to seek clarification. Avoiding vagueness is essential to ensure effective communication using the phrase "please illustrate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could you illustrate

Replaces "please" with a more polite "could you", maintaining the same request.

can you demonstrate

Substitutes "illustrate" with "demonstrate", focusing on showing how something works.

please provide an example

Replaces "illustrate" with a request for a specific instance.

please explain

Offers a verbal clarification instead of a visual one.

please clarify

Asks for a more precise explanation.

can you show me

Similar to "demonstrate", but more informal.

please depict

Replaces "illustrate" with "depict", emphasizing a visual representation.

please outline

Focuses on providing a structured overview.

please map out

Suggests a visual representation or a detailed plan.

please walk me through

Implies a step-by-step explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "please illustrate" in a sentence?

You can use "please illustrate" when you want someone to provide a visual or descriptive example. For example, "Please illustrate how this new feature improves user experience".

What can I say instead of "please illustrate"?

You can use alternatives like "please explain", "please demonstrate", or "please provide an example" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "please illustrate" or "can you illustrate"?

Both "please illustrate" and "can you illustrate" are correct. "Please illustrate" is a direct request, while "can you illustrate" is a polite inquiry about someone's ability to illustrate.

What's the difference between "please illustrate" and "please clarify"?

"Please illustrate" asks for a visual or descriptive example, while "please clarify" asks for a clearer explanation or further details.