the data show that

USAGE SUMMARY

"the data show that" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when referring to the evidence or results of a given experiment or survey. For example: "The data show that the majority of people prefer eating chocolate cake to vanilla cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The data show that organizing as a corporation is best.

The New Yorker

And the data show that threat might have already arrived.

Independent

The data show that change is real and substantial.

The New York Times

The data show that different countries have distinct internet economies.

The Economist

The data show that it may be a while yet before the housing downturn changes direction.

The New York Times

Surprisingly, the data show that trailing by a little can actually be a good thing.

The New York Times - Sports

"The data show that it's the firms with more employees that are complying," Ms. McCutchen said.

The New York Times

The data show that three sub-populations are declining, and some very rapidly.

The Guardian

However, the data show that crisis is 100 years away, if at all.

Princeton University

There's one problem, though: the data show that it isn't so.

The New York Times - Tech

The data show that this notion, often written about in the West, is not generally supported.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the data show that" to introduce factual information or evidence supporting a claim. Ensure the data you're referencing is reliable and accurately interpreted.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because "the data show that" two variables are related, one necessarily causes the other. Correlation doesn't equal causation; further analysis may be needed to determine the true relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the data show that" functions as a reporting clause. It introduces a statement or conclusion that is supported by factual information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to present evidence and findings from research, surveys, or observations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the data show that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce factual evidence supporting a claim. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and very common across diverse contexts. Its primary function is to objectively support claims, making it suitable for neutral to formal registers, particularly in news, science, and business. While effective, remember to avoid implying causation from correlation and consider stronger alternatives like "the evidence suggests that" for increased formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the evidence suggests that

This alternative uses "evidence" instead of "data", implying a broader range of supporting information.

the findings indicate that

This phrase is more common in scientific or academic contexts, emphasizing research outcomes.

the results reveal that

Similar to "findings indicate", this highlights the outcome of a study or analysis.

the statistics demonstrate that

This alternative focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis.

analysis suggests that

This phrase highlights the analytical process leading to the conclusion.

research indicates that

This is suitable for academic or research-oriented contexts.

studies have shown that

This emphasizes the cumulative knowledge from multiple studies.

it is clear that

This phrase conveys a sense of obviousness based on the available information.

the information implies that

This suggests a more subtle or indirect indication.

this proves that

This phrase implies a stronger level of certainty and conclusive evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "the data show that" in a sentence?

You can use "the data show that" to introduce a conclusion or finding supported by evidence. For example, "The data show that students who attend class regularly perform better on exams."

What's the difference between "the data show that" and "the results indicate that"?

"The data show that" is a more general statement, while "the results indicate that" often refers to specific findings from a study or experiment.

Is it correct to say "the data shows that" instead of "the data show that"?

While some consider "data" to be plural, it's increasingly accepted to treat it as singular in informal contexts, so "the data shows that" is sometimes used. However, "the data show that" remains grammatically more precise.

What can I say instead of "the data show that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "the evidence suggests that", "the findings indicate that", or "analysis reveals that".