show

USAGE SUMMARY

"show" is an acceptable, correct, and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to demonstrate, indicate, or display something, or as a noun meaning a theatrical performance or exhibition. Example sentence: The presenter showed us his latest model.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We must show them the multitude of statements of condemnation from British Muslims, show them these men of hate have no place in our mosques or any place of worship, and that they do not speak for Muslims in Britain or anywhere in the world.

The Guardian

Jan Crosby, the head of housing at KPMG, said: "These figures make for frightening reading and show that housing affordability is no longer just a problem for lower wage earners.

The Guardian - Business

Referred to in court as D, she entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be properly identified.

The Guardian

"We must show our young people, who may be targeted, that extremists have nothing to offer them.

The Guardian

We must show them that there are other ways to express disagreement, that their right to do so is dependent on the very freedoms that extremists seek to destroy.

The Guardian

Ed has excellent qualities but that is not the way to show them.

The Guardian

We know that acts of extremism are not representative of Islam, but we need to show what is.

The Guardian

"I'm in a successful TV show in a kind of leading man way and it can sometimes feel like your art is being put to one side for your sex appeal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

THE show goes on.

The Guardian - Sport

Poor show.

The Guardian - Sport

A film adaptation was released in 1971, and the show placed fourth in a BBC poll to find Britain's best sitcom in 2004.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "show", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Demonstrate" implies proof, while "display" focuses on visibility. Choose the word that best fits the context.

Common error

Avoid using "show" in highly formal or academic writing when a more precise term like "demonstrate", "indicate", or "reveal" would be more appropriate. Using a more formal alternative can enhance the clarity and sophistication of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "show" is as a verb, used to indicate displaying something or demonstrating a fact. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where "show" is used to present information or evidence, as well as in imperative sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "show" is a versatile term, primarily functioning as a verb to indicate demonstrating, displaying, or revealing something. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. Its usage is very common, appearing frequently in news, formal business contexts, and sports reporting. While generally neutral in tone, more formal synonyms like "demonstrate" or "indicate" may be preferred in academic settings. Understanding the subtle differences between "show" and its alternatives enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate

Emphasizes the act of proving something, often through evidence or example.

display

Focuses on making something visible or apparent.

reveal

Highlights the act of uncovering or making something known.

exhibit

Suggests presenting something in a formal or public setting.

indicate

Implies pointing out or signaling something.

present

Focuses on formally introducing or offering something.

illustrate

Emphasizes clarifying or explaining something through examples or visuals.

divulge

Suggests revealing something private or secret.

unveil

Focuses on formally revealing something that has been hidden or concealed.

evince

Implies demonstrating or showing something clearly and undeniably.

FAQs

How can I use "show" in a sentence?

You can use "show" as a verb to mean demonstrate, indicate, or display something. For example, "The data "show" a clear trend" or "Please "show" me your work".

What are some alternatives to using "show"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "demonstrate", "display", "reveal", or "indicate". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to use "show" in academic writing?

Yes, "show" is acceptable, but in some academic contexts, more formal alternatives like "demonstrate" or "indicate" might be preferred to maintain a higher level of formality.

What's the difference between "show" and "demonstrate"?

"Show" is a more general term for displaying or indicating something. "Demonstrate" implies proving something, often with evidence or examples. Therefore, you "demonstrate" a theorem, but you "show" a picture.