show joy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show joy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing the act of expressing happiness or delight. For example, "The children began to show joy when they saw the presents." Alternative expressions include "express happiness," "demonstrate delight," and "exhibit joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He leaned back to lift his psycho-killer shirt and show Joy his tattoos.

The New Yorker

"We marched aboard," Hosmer recalled, "a nerveless, debilitated company, too weak and sick to show joy even at going home".

The New York Times

When you failed to show joy after the first of those two goals, some of us mistook your mood for humility.

The New York Times - Sports

The manager vowed that he would celebrate a goal against his former side – "It's my duty to show joy" – but that might well be an empty threat.

The Guardian - Sport

"There is a second world war kind of thing going on about 'keeping the home fires burning' at the moment; a bit of 'keep calm and carry on' art, if you like," said the Turner prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller this weekend as he prepared for the opening of his retrospective show, Joy in People, on London's South Bank next month.

The Guardian - Arts

Triumphantly thrust your hands in the air and your virtual self's face will show "joy".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Russell, who wrote the script and co-wrote the story with Annie Mumolo, captures the magical moment when Joy's private inspiration finds public expression; the movie's best scene features Bradley Cooper, as a TV executive who shows Joy the ropes.

The New Yorker

Keep being enthusiastic and showing joy about the students and math: "Yeah, you got it" "All right!" "Yeah!".

WikiHow

On "The View," ABC's daytime chat show, Joy Behar breezily violated the rules of campaign-journalism etiquette when she accused McCain of using "lies" in his ads; a few minutes later, during a discussion of Roe v. Wade, Whoopi Goldberg asked McCain whether his pledge to appoint judges who "strictly interpret the Constitution" might portend a return to slavery.

The New Yorker

Joy Behar hosted Ann Coulter for the second edition of her HLN show, "The Joy Behar Show".

Huffington Post

I was afraid to show unguarded joy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "show joy" when you want to emphasize the outward expression or manifestation of happiness, rather than simply feeling it internally. For example, "The athlete's face showed joy after winning the gold medal."

Common error

Avoid using "show joy" in highly formal or academic writing where more nuanced or sophisticated vocabulary might be expected. Consider alternatives like "express delight" or "demonstrate satisfaction" for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show joy" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "show" is the main verb and "joy" is its direct object. It describes the act of outwardly displaying the emotion of joy. Ludwig shows that this expression, while grammatically correct, is not as commonly used as other alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "show joy" is a grammatically sound way to describe the external manifestation of happiness. Ludwig analysis reveals that while correct, the phrase is relatively rare, appearing primarily in news and media contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "express delight" or "demonstrate satisfaction". While not a frequent expression, understanding its usage nuances can enhance your writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

express joy

Replaces "show" with "express", focusing on the outward communication of joy.

display joy

Substitutes "show" with "display", emphasizing a visual manifestation of joy.

reveal joy

Replaces "show" with "reveal", highlighting the unveiling of joy.

exhibit joy

Uses "exhibit" instead of "show", suggesting a more deliberate demonstration of joy.

demonstrate joy

Replaces "show" with "demonstrate", emphasizing a clear and unmistakable display of joy.

radiate joy

Changes the verb to "radiate", suggesting joy emanating outwards.

project joy

Uses "project" instead of "show", suggesting an intentional broadcasting of joy.

express happiness

Replaces "joy" with the broader term "happiness", focusing on general positive emotion.

manifest joy

Employs "manifest" in place of "show", indicating a tangible or visible appearance of joy.

give expression to joy

This alternative uses a more verbose structure to convey the idea of expressing joy.

FAQs

What does "show joy" mean?

"Show joy" means to express happiness or delight outwardly, often through facial expressions, body language, or actions.

How can I use "show joy" in a sentence?

You can use "show joy" in a sentence like this: "The children "expressed joy" when they opened their presents."

What are some synonyms for "show joy"?

Some synonyms for "show joy" include "express happiness", "demonstrate delight", and "exhibit glee".

Is it more appropriate to say "show joy" or "express joy"?

Both "show joy" and "express joy" are correct. "Express joy" might sound slightly more formal, but the choice depends on the context and desired tone.