show itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show itself" is correct and usable in written English
It can be used when referring to something that becomes visible or apparent on its own. Example: "The true nature of the problem will eventually show itself if we continue to investigate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fittingly, the show itself evolves.

The New York Times - Science

That's the show itself.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Into the show itself.

The New York Times - Arts

It's the show itself.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It had to show itself always.

The New Yorker

But the show itself is important.

The New Yorker

The real surprise was the show itself.

The New York Times

The show itself remains strong.

The New York Times - Arts

There was the show itself.

The New York Times

The show itself acquired a cult following.

The Times

The show itself is less fresh.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In cultural criticism, use the intensive form to distinguish between the production and its external hype, as in "the show itself was better than the marketing."

Common error

Avoid using the singular "itself" when referring to plural subjects. For example, do not write "The cracks in the system began to show itself"; instead, use "The cracks in the system began to show themselves."

Linguistic Context

In English grammar, the phrase "show itself" functions as a reflexive verb construction where the subject is also the recipient of the action. According to Ludwig, this emphasizes that the manifestation is internal or spontaneous. It is also frequently encountered as an intensive pronoun structure, where "itself" follows the noun "show" to add emphasis to the specific entity being discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

0.5%

Formal & Business

0.3%

Social Media

0.2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "show itself" is a versatile and correct English expression used to denote visibility, manifestation or emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms that it is widely accepted in professional writing, appearing in over 60 high-quality examples from prestigious sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker. Whether used as a reflexive verb (e.g., a pattern beginning to "show itself") or as an intensive pronoun following a noun (e.g., "the show itself"), it serves to clarify and emphasize the subject. Writers should primarily ensure proper subject-verb agreement and pronoun number alignment to maintain its professional impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reveal itself

Implies that something previously hidden or unknown has become visible.

manifest itself

A more formal and clinical term often used for symptoms, traits or physical appearances.

make itself known

An idiomatic expression suggesting a more active or noticeable presence.

become apparent

Shifts the focus to the perception of the observer rather than the action of the subject.

emerge

Focuses on the process of coming out from a state of being concealed.

surface

Suggests something rising to a level where it can finally be seen or addressed.

present itself

Commonly used when an opportunity or a situation arises naturally.

come to light

An idiomatic phrase used when information or evidence is discovered.

lay itself bare

A more poetic and intense version implying total transparency or exposure.

disclose itself

Highly formal, suggesting the uncovering of specific details or secrets.

FAQs

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

You can use it to describe something becoming evident, such as "The true scale of the disaster began to show itself only after the floods receded." It can also emphasize a specific event, like "The show itself was spectacular despite the delays."

What is the difference between "show itself" and "reveal itself"?

While similar, "reveal itself" often suggests that something was intentionally hidden or is a secret, whereas "show itself" can refer to any phenomenon simply becoming visible.

Can "show itself" be used in formal academic writing?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable. However, for a more technical tone, you might consider alternatives like "manifest itself" or "become apparent" depending on the context.

Is it "show itself" or "shows itself"?

This depends on the subject's tense and number. Use "shows itself" for a singular third-person subject in the present tense (e.g., "The talent shows itself early") and "show itself" for infinitive or plural forms.