show characteristics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show characteristics" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has visible traits that are indicative of its nature. For example: "The latest model of phone shows characteristics of durability and functionality."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The López wines, which come from four distinct vineyards, almost always show characteristics of their site.

The New York Times - Food

Satellite Photography - Photos taken from above can show characteristics indicative of certain deposits.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In Germany, WSC show characteristics of natural monopoly.

Ecological Economics

These artificial channels found in corings next to the settlements show characteristics of slack water regimes.

Quaternary International

Recordings show characteristics of complicated wavelets and low signal-to-noise ratios.

Computers & Geosciences

New research indicates that mouse pups born to mothers who had the flu during pregnancy show characteristics of autism and exhibit brain changes.

Princeton University

Expressions of humility such as a slight smile, modest dress or eyes directed downward show characteristics of self-regulation, forgiveness and modesty— or the virtue of temperance.

University of California, Berkeley

Iron in an intermediate state will then show characteristics between the above extremes.

Electrochimica Acta

Children from families with a history of alcohol abuse show characteristics in their brains that may make them more susceptible to becoming problem drinkers themselves, a new study reports.

The New York Times - Health

Maybe all losing teams resemble one another to some extent, but Australia at the moment is starting to show characteristics usually associated with England in this storied rivalry.

The New York Times - Sports

To show characteristics of deeply infiltrative endometriosis (DIE) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and how they correlate with intraoperative findings.

Fertility and Sterility

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with the preposition "of" to specify the category, such as "show characteristics of a healthy ecosystem" or "show characteristics of early-stage growth".

Common error

Do not use "show characteristics" when you are referring to a person's moral fiber or personality essence. Use "show character" for someone's integrity, and reserve "show characteristics" for observable traits like physical features or specific behavioral patterns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show characteristics" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "show" acts as the action of revealing and "characteristics" is the direct object representing the traits. In the context provided by Ludwig, it serves to link a subject with its observable qualities in an empirical manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

Academia

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Professional

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "show characteristics" is a robust and grammatically correct expression primarily utilized in academic, scientific and journalistic writing. According to Ludwig, it is an essential tool for describing observable traits and evidence-based phenomena. Its usage is extremely widespread, appearing in over 60 high-quality examples from prestigious institutions like MIT and The New York Times. While it is synonymous with phrases like "exhibit features", it remains the standard choice for researchers reporting data. Writers should be careful to distinguish between the physical or behavioral traits implied here and the internal moral 'character' of a person. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is an excellent choice for any writing that requires clear, objective description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

display traits

Uses a more specific noun for biological or behavioral qualities.

exhibit features

A slightly more formal verb-noun combination often used in design or anatomy.

demonstrate properties

Typically used in chemistry or physics to describe how a substance behaves.

possess attributes

Focuses on the internal possession of qualities rather than just the outward appearance.

manifest qualities

Suggests that the characteristics are becoming evident or visible.

reveal hallmarks

Implies that the traits are distinctive or definitive of a specific group.

show signs of

More idiomatic and often used for indicating the onset of a condition or state.

present indicators

Focuses on measurable or observable markers rather than general traits.

display peculiarities

Highlights unique or unusual characteristics rather than standard ones.

embody elements

Suggests the subject is a personification or complete example of certain traits.

FAQs

How do I use "show characteristics" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe observable traits, for example: "The newly discovered species of bird "show characteristics" of both migratory and sedentary populations."

What is a more formal way to say "show characteristics"?

In formal or academic writing, you can use "exhibit traits" or "demonstrate features" to achieve a more sophisticated tone.

Can I use "show characteristics" for people?

Yes, it is often used in psychology or medicine to describe symptoms or behaviors, such as "The patient began to "display characteristics" of recovery after the treatment."

What is the difference between "show characteristics" and "have characteristics"?

While "have characteristics" simply denotes possession, "show characteristics" emphasizes that those traits are visible, detectable, or currently being manifested to an observer.