portrays that

USAGE SUMMARY

"portrays that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something as a representation of a certain idea or concept. For example: "His artwork portrays that beauty can be found in the mundane and everyday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Although it captures what seems like an unremarkable street scene, the video portrays that particularly urban feeling of being surrounded by people and yet not engaging with them at all: here, Nelson becomes the detached observer of modern city life.

The Guardian

His attitude and everything portrays that.

WikiHow

A glance at accounts portrays that much.

The Guardian - Sport

The book portrays that even the management of elections is a matter of applying pluralist approaches.

Stanford University

The film portrays that choice, even for someone as afflicted as Le Clercq, as worth making.

The New York Times

"That's because, just like he does everywhere, he portrays that sense that he cares".

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Everybody wants to portray that.

The New York Times - Sports

How to portray that on stage?

The Guardian

Democrats have portrayed that ruling as "conservative judicial activism".

The New York Times

But I understand why [he's portrayed that way].

The Washington Post

"He's trying to portray that as abduction," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "portrays that" when you want to emphasize how something represents a specific idea or quality through its depiction.

Common error

Avoid using "portrays that" in situations where a simpler verb like "shows" or "indicates" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "portrays that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It indicates that something depicts or represents a particular idea, quality, or situation. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "portrays that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that connects a subject with its representation of a particular idea or quality. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. While alternatives such as "depicts that" or "illustrates that" exist, "portrays that" specifically emphasizes how something is deliberately represented. When using "portrays that", ensure it fits the context and avoids redundancy by opting for simpler verbs where appropriate. Considering its versatile application and the confirmation provided by Ludwig, "portrays that" remains a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depicts that

Emphasizes visual representation; less versatile than "portrays that".

conveys that

Focuses on communication of a message or feeling.

illustrates that

Highlights clarification through example; slightly more formal.

demonstrates that

Highlights the act of proving or making evident.

represents that

Focuses on symbolic meaning; less about direct depiction.

reveals that

Emphasizes uncovering or making something known.

shows that

A more general term, lacking the nuance of "portrays that".

indicates that

A more formal way to show a sign or symptom.

presents that

Focuses on the act of offering something for consideration.

suggests that

Implies a hint or indirect indication, not a direct showing.

FAQs

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

You can use "portrays that" to describe how something represents an idea or quality. For instance, "The painting "portrays that" solitude can be beautiful".

What are some alternatives to "portrays that"?

Some alternatives include "depicts that", "illustrates that", and "represents that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "that" after "portrays"?

While not strictly necessary, using "that" after "portrays" often improves clarity, especially in complex sentences. Omitting "that" can sometimes lead to ambiguity.

What's the difference between "portrays that" and "shows that"?

"Portrays that" suggests a deliberate representation, while "shows that" is more general and can simply indicate something is visible or apparent. "Portrays" often implies a deeper or more artistic depiction.