showing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "showing to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to indicate the act of demonstrating or presenting something to someone, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "I am showing to my friends the new features of the app." (This should be rephrased for clarity.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's showing to me in the film.

The New Yorker

They finally decided the collection made a sufficient showing to warrant sending her a new certificate.

The New Yorker

For showing to the world that a girl is not supposed to be the slave.

The Guardian

One national network gleefully dropped what it was showing to carry the war of words live.

The New York Times

Back then, this wasn't a side Ischgl was showing to the world.

The Guardian - Travel

Is my right profile showing to my best advantage?" Jackson said.

The New Yorker

By lunchtime, however, Jones hadn't seen anyone worth showing to Feig.

The New Yorker

This is about showing to the electorate that as chancellor, she is in control.

The New York Times

"I've got some 40- to 60-page projects I wouldn't mind showing to someone.

The Guardian - Books

She attributes Labour's strong showing to a passing media interest in Ms Yachimovich's elevation.

The Economist

The Pulse Art Fair, specializing in experimental art, moved up its V.I.P. showing to Tuesday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "showing to" with more grammatically sound alternatives like "demonstrating to", "presenting to", or "revealing to" for clearer communication. While "showing to" may be understood, it is not considered standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "showing to" simply because you've seen it used elsewhere. Even if a phrase is common, it doesn't guarantee its correctness. Opt for established alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "showing to" functions as a prepositional phrase aiming to indicate the act of demonstrating or presenting something. However, Ludwig AI suggests that it is not grammatically correct and more appropriate alternatives are available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

22%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "showing to" is frequently encountered across various contexts, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect. It appears most often in News & Media and Science sources. For clearer and more grammatically sound writing, it's advisable to substitute "showing to" with alternatives like "demonstrating to", "presenting to", or "revealing to". Using these alternatives will enhance the clarity and correctness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrating to

This alternative emphasizes the act of illustrating or proving something to someone.

presenting to

This alternative focuses on formally offering or displaying something to someone.

revealing to

This suggests making something known or visible to someone.

indicating to

This highlights the act of pointing something out or making it clear to someone.

explaining to

Focuses on clarifying or making something understandable to someone.

displaying to

Highlights the act of putting something on view for someone.

exhibiting to

Suggests a more formal showing or display.

unveiling to

Implies a dramatic or ceremonial revealing.

giving a showing to

More verbose, but clarifies that a showing or demonstration is being provided.

making apparent to

Focuses on making something evident or obvious to someone.

FAQs

Is "showing to" grammatically correct?

No, "showing to" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "demonstrating to" or "presenting to".

What can I say instead of "showing to"?

You can use alternatives such as "demonstrating to", "presenting to", "revealing to", or "indicating to", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "showing to" or "showing someone"?

"Showing someone" is generally more correct and natural. You would say, "I am showing him the new features" rather than "I am "showing to" him the new features". Alternatives include using the verb "demonstrate": "I am demonstrating the new features to him".

Why is "showing to" often flagged as incorrect?

While the intent might be clear, "showing to" doesn't follow standard English grammatical structures for expressing the act of demonstrating or presenting. Using alternatives ensures better clarity and adherence to established grammar rules.