show they

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show they" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "show them"? If this is the case, you can use it when you want to indicate that something should be demonstrated or presented to a group of people. Example: "Please show them the new features of the software during the presentation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The most stupendous show they ever gave.

The New Yorker

Good show, they were told.

The New York Times - Sports

But lawmakers can show they are.

The Washington Post

Executives should show they are committed, too.

The Washington Post

It let Republicans show they had a heart and Democrats show they could be hardheaded.

The New York Times

They have to show they care.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Well in this reality show they do.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They want to show they belong".

The New York Times

Find out four ways teachers can show they care.

University of California, Berkeley

Democrats intend to show they can be tougher.

The Washington Post

So that's one more show they won't try again.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure correct pronoun usage after "show". The correct form is generally "show them" or "show that they", depending on the intended meaning. Review your sentences to verify the grammar is accurate.

Common error

Avoid using "show they" as it's grammatically incorrect. This error often stems from confusion with pronoun cases. Always double-check the pronoun following "show" to ensure it aligns with standard English grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show they" functions incorrectly as it attempts to combine a verb ("show") with a subject pronoun ("they") without proper grammatical structure. As Ludwig AI highlights, this construction typically requires an object pronoun ("them") or a conjunction ("that").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "show they" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct forms are typically "show them" or "show that they", depending on the intended meaning. While the phrase appears frequently in various sources, including news and media, its incorrectness makes it unsuitable for formal contexts. To ensure clear and effective communication, always double-check the pronoun following "show" and consider using alternatives like "demonstrate that they", "prove that they", or "reveal that they" to enhance precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate that they

Replaces "show" with "demonstrate", emphasizing a more formal presentation of evidence or ability.

prove that they

Substitutes "show" with "prove", indicating a stronger emphasis on establishing something as fact.

reveal that they

Uses "reveal" instead of "show", suggesting the unveiling of something previously hidden or unknown.

indicate that they

Replaces "show" with "indicate", implying a less direct form of demonstration, more suggestive.

display that they

Emphasizes a visual presentation or manifestation of something, swapping "show" with "display".

present that they

Similar to demonstrate, but with a focus on formally introducing or offering something for consideration.

establish that they

Focuses on firmly setting or confirming something, replacing "show" with "establish".

confirm that they

Replaces "show" with "confirm", suggesting a verification or validation of something already suspected.

illustrate that they

Uses "illustrate" instead of "show", implying a visual or descriptive explanation to clarify something.

make it clear that they

Expresses the idea of clarifying something, replacing "show" with a more explicit phrase.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "show" with a pronoun?

The correct usage depends on the context. Use "show them" when demonstrating something to a group. Use "show that they" when indicating what a group is doing or how they are behaving.

Is "show they" ever grammatically correct?

No, "show they" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It is typically a mistake for "show them" or "show that they".

What are some alternatives to "show that they"?

You can use alternatives like "demonstrate that they", "prove that they", or "reveal that they" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "show them" and "show that they"?

"Show them" means to present something to a group of people. "Show that they" means to provide evidence or indication of something about a group. For example: "Show them the data" vs. "Show that they are capable".