showed them

USAGE SUMMARY

"showed them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you helped someone understand something by showing them a visual representation of it. For example, "I showed them a graph to explain how the economy was affected by the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lemieux showed them around.

The New Yorker

We showed them.

The New York Times

Helen showed them out.

Independent

"But she showed them.

The New York Times

Nixon showed them all.

The New York Times

We showed them tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

I showed them the app.

The New Yorker

Hopefully, I showed them something.

The New York Times

Ryan showed them the iPad.

The New York Times

He showed them his medals.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I went straight to [the lab] and showed [them] this.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "showed them" when you want to emphasize that understanding was achieved through visual or direct demonstration. Ensure the context makes it clear what was shown.

Common error

Avoid using "showed them" when the information was conveyed purely through verbal means, without any visual or direct demonstration. In such cases, consider using phrases like "told them" or "explained to them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "showed them" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a transitive verb followed by an indirect object. It indicates the action of demonstrating or presenting something to a group of people, helping them to understand or perceive it. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "showed them" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies the action of demonstrating or presenting something visually or practically to a group of people. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's a versatile phrase appearing most often in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "showed them", ensure that the context aligns with a visual or practical demonstration, differentiating it from purely verbal communication, where alternatives like "told them" or "explained to them" might be more appropriate. Remember to use "showed them" and not "showed to them".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrated to them

Emphasizes a more formal or structured presentation of information.

revealed to them

Highlights the unveiling of something previously unknown or hidden.

illustrated for them

Focuses on making something clear through visual aids or examples.

explained to them

Stresses the act of making something understandable through verbal communication.

proved to them

Indicates that something has been definitively established as true.

made it clear to them

Highlights the successful communication of a concept or idea.

walked them through

Implies a step-by-step guided explanation or demonstration.

gave them a demonstration

Focuses on a practical exhibition of how something works.

presented them with

Highlights the act of formally offering or displaying something.

exhibited to them

Similar to demonstrated, but can also imply a more artistic display.

FAQs

How can I use "showed them" in a sentence?

You can use "showed them" to indicate that you demonstrated something visually or practically. For example, "I "showed them" how to use the software."

What are some alternatives to "showed them"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "demonstrated to them", "explained to them", or "revealed to them".

Is it correct to say "I showed to them" instead of "I showed them"?

No, "I showed them" is the correct and more natural phrasing. "I showed to them" is grammatically awkward.

What's the difference between "showed them" and "told them"?

"Showed them" implies a visual or practical demonstration, while "told them" indicates that the information was conveyed verbally. For instance, "I "showed them" the data" vs. "I told them about the data".