this picture illustrates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'this picture illustrates' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce an image as evidence or an example of a point you are making in your writing. For example, you might say, "This picture illustrates how the city has grown in the past few decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

This picture illustrates what happens to those who defy the rule of law and how far our government and people will go to preserve it.

The New York Times

This picture illustrates the average pictorial representation of David Cameron (Conservatives), Ed Miliband (Labour), Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats), Nigel Farage (UKIP) and Natalie Bennett (Green Party).

The Guardian

This picture illustrates a typical situation when all problems are labeled as big data problems.

Forbes

This picture illustrates visualization of the paper abstract Fig. 11 An example of the clustergram.

Journal of Big Data

This picture illustrates pie chart, visualization of data in pixels, line graph and bar chart.

Journal of Big Data

This picture illustrates different state of data in several clusters Fig. 12 An example of the motion chart.

Journal of Big Data

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The top right picture illustrates the biocytin filled neurons.

Yale University

Another picture illustrates how much theatre has changed since Brook began directing.

The Guardian

Picture illustrates a tree map of data.

Journal of Big Data

The following picture illustrates the minutiae extraction process (Fig. 8): Open image in new window Fig. 8 Minutiae extraction process.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

The second picture illustrates him (yes, these pictures are always with dudes in them) looking dejected, wiping his brow with dirty hands and sadly contemplating his next move.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For academic writing, use "figure" instead of "picture" (e.g., "This figure illustrates...") for a more formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "this picture illustrates" to introduce an image that requires significant interpretation or explanation to understand its relevance. The illustration should be relatively self-explanatory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this picture illustrates" functions as an introductory phrase, guiding the reader to understand that the image presented serves as a visual representation or clarification of a specific concept or point. Ludwig examples showcase its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this picture illustrates" is a versatile phrase used to introduce an image as a visual aid or example. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. To enhance clarity, ensure the image directly supports your point. Remember that while variations like "this figure exemplifies" or "the photo shows" can be used, the most appropriate choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality. When using this phrase remember to avoid images needing too much interpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this image demonstrates

Uses "demonstrates" instead of "illustrates", implying a more definitive proof.

this figure exemplifies

Replaces "picture" with "figure" and "illustrates" with "exemplifies", suggesting a typical instance.

this example highlights

Substitutes "picture" with "example" and "illustrates" with "highlights", focusing on key aspects.

the photo shows

A simpler construction using "shows" to describe the picture's content.

as this diagram depicts

More specific, replacing "picture" with "diagram" and using "depicts" to emphasize visual representation.

this visual represents

Generalizes "picture" to "visual" and uses "represents" to indicate a symbolic portrayal.

here is a demonstration of

More formal and indirect, emphasizing the act of demonstrating rather than the picture itself.

the following is an illustration of

More formal and indirect, highlighting the act of illustrating something.

what we see in this image is

Descriptive approach, focusing on interpreting the contents of the image.

this serves as an illustration of

Indirect approach focusing on the 'serving' aspect and the illustration

FAQs

How can I use "this picture illustrates" in a sentence?

Use "this picture illustrates" to introduce an image that provides a visual example or clarification of a point you're making. For example, "This picture illustrates the effects of climate change on coastal erosion."

What are some alternatives to "this picture illustrates"?

Alternatives include "this image demonstrates", "this figure exemplifies", or "the photo shows", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "this picture illustrates"?

Yes, "this picture illustrates" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use.

How does "this picture illustrates" differ from "this picture shows"?

"This picture illustrates" implies that the picture exemplifies or clarifies a concept, while "this picture shows" simply indicates that the picture displays something. The former is more interpretive.