the data shows that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the data shows that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when presenting findings or conclusions based on data analysis or research results. Example: "The data shows that there is a significant increase in sales during the holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And as the data shows, that price is even higher for women than it is for men.

Huffington Post

The data shows that".

The Guardian

And the data shows that this is not an aberration.

The New Yorker

"We think the data shows that most of the people severely affected have underlying conditions".

The Guardian

"The data shows that the freedoms have been implemented successfully, and are working as intended.

The Guardian - Money

The data shows that the number of higher education students in the UK continues to rise.

The Guardian

The data shows that the health and social consequences of inequality envelop whole societies.

The Guardian - Opinion

But right now, the data shows that black folks are more vulnerable to these kinds of incidents".

The Guardian - Opinion

The data shows that 65% of men are now overweight or obese, compared with 58% in 1993.

The Guardian

The data shows that income tax receipts in January came in at £2.38bn – up by 17.8% on the year before.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the other hand, the data shows that students who repeat grades eventually become discouraged and stop trying.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overstating the conclusions drawn from the data. Use qualifiers like 'suggests' or 'indicates' if the evidence is not conclusive.

Common error

A common mistake is to make broad generalizations based on a small or unrepresentative data set. Always acknowledge the limitations of your data and avoid sweeping claims that the data cannot support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the data shows that" functions as a declarative statement introducing a conclusion or finding derived from data analysis. This phrase signals that the subsequent statement is supported by factual evidence, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the data shows that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce conclusions based on empirical evidence. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, especially in news, scientific, and formal business communications. While highly common, using this phrase effectively requires credible data sources and careful avoidance of overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "the evidence suggests that" or "the analysis indicates that" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. This phrase's high frequency and broad applicability make it a valuable tool for writers seeking to strengthen their arguments with factual support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the evidence suggests that

Replaces "data" with "evidence", implying a broader range of supporting information rather than specifically numerical data.

the analysis indicates that

Substitutes "shows" with "indicates", suggesting a more inferential conclusion drawn from the analysis.

the findings reveal that

Emphasizes the unveiling of new information through the research or analysis.

the results suggest that

Focuses specifically on the outcomes of a study or experiment, using "suggest" to convey a degree of certainty.

it is evident from the data that

Adds emphasis by stating the conclusion as self-evident based on the presented data.

the figures indicate that

Replaces "data" with "figures", specifically referring to numerical data or statistics.

the study demonstrates that

Highlights the role of a specific study in proving or showcasing a particular point.

research indicates that

Broader in scope than just data, encompassing research findings and insights.

the facts suggest that

Puts emphasis on factual information as basis of an opinion.

observations indicate that

Suggests that conclusions are based on direct observations, not necessarily formal data collection.

FAQs

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

Use "the data shows that" to introduce a conclusion directly supported by empirical evidence. Follow it with a clear and concise statement of what the data reveals. For instance, "The data shows that there is a correlation between exercise and reduced stress levels."

What are some alternatives to using "the data shows that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "the evidence suggests that", "the analysis indicates that", or "the findings reveal that" to introduce a conclusion based on data.

Is it always necessary to cite the source when using "the data shows that"?

Yes, citing the source of the data is crucial for maintaining credibility and transparency. Always provide a citation or reference to the specific data source you are referring to when using the phrase "the data shows that".

What's the difference between saying "the data suggests that" and "the data shows that"?

"The data shows that" implies a more direct and conclusive relationship, whereas "the data suggests that" indicates a potential but not fully proven connection. The choice depends on the strength of the evidence.