shows up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shows up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something arrives or becomes visible, often unexpectedly or after a period of absence. Example: "Despite the rain, she shows up to the event with a big smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She shows up late.

The New York Times - Books

A Hobbit shows up!

The New York Times

Who shows up today?

The New York Times

Kang shows up, unharmed.

The New Yorker

Lena shows up angry.

The New York Times - Books

Bess's man shows up first.

The New York Times

"He shows up every time.

The New York Times - Sports

"It definitely shows up dramatically.

The New York Times

"And it shows up".

The New York Times - Sports

It shows up everywhere.

The New York Times

Everyone shows up anyway.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shows up" to indicate an arrival or appearance, especially when there is an element of surprise or expectation. For example, "He always shows up late to meetings."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses when using "shows up". Ensure the tense aligns with the context. For instance, do not say "He show up yesterday" instead use "He showed up yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "shows up" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of arriving or becoming present at a particular location or event. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where "shows up" is used to describe people, things, or even abstract concepts making an appearance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "shows up" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies arrival, appearance, or manifestation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it is important to ensure correct tense usage. Consider alternatives like "arrives" or "appears" for nuanced meaning. By understanding its function, purpose, and typical usage patterns, writers can effectively employ "shows up" in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrives

Focuses specifically on the act of reaching a destination.

appears

Emphasizes becoming visible or noticeable.

turns up

Similar in meaning, but often implies unexpectedness or eventual arrival.

materializes

Suggests appearing suddenly or as if from nowhere.

surfaces

Indicates emerging or becoming known after being hidden.

emerges

Implies coming out of something or becoming apparent.

attends

Focuses on the action of being present at a location or event.

presents oneself

A more formal way of saying someone appears.

manifests

Indicates becoming evident or real.

is present

States simply that someone or something exists in a particular place.

FAQs

How to use "shows up" in a sentence?

Use "shows up" to indicate that someone or something arrives or becomes visible. For example, "She always "shows up" on time for her appointments".

What can I say instead of "shows up"?

You can use alternatives like "arrives", "appears", or "turns up" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "shows up" or "show up"?

"Shows up" is the third-person singular present tense, while "show up" is used for other forms. For example, "He "shows up"" but "They "show up"".

What's the difference between "shows up" and "appears"?

While both indicate becoming visible, ""shows up"" often implies an arrival or scheduled appearance, whereas "appears" can be more general and not necessarily expected.