Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
this was shown
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "this was shown" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action that happened previously, or that is being referenced. For example: "The experiment revealed the results, and this was shown to be true."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Academia
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
Why this was shown at the ESPY awards this week, we don't really know.
News & Media
This was shown in 2002 by Vincent Monastra & colleagues.
Academia
This was shown both numerically and experimentally.
Science
This was shown very clearly in the conflict in Ireland.
News & Media
This was shown for the multicoloured version of Sperner's theorem by Daykin, Frankl, Greene and Hilton.
This was shown by our failure to do anything about Indo- China or Quemoy.
News & Media
This was shown most starkly in the OBR forecast conducted for the budget in March.
News & Media
Again this was shown to contribute to silencing of linked genes by EZH241.
Science & Research
All this was shown with black tights, perilous platforms and little pompoms planted on the models' lacquered heads.
News & Media
The wisdom of this was shown in the same year, when their far greater fortress, on Rhodes, fell.
News & Media
This was shown by Total Place to prevent government departments from knowing whether there is duplication in the first place.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
To enhance clarity, follow "this was shown" with a concise explanation of how it was demonstrated, particularly in scientific or academic writing.
Common error
Avoid using "this was shown" without a clear antecedent for "this". Readers may struggle to understand what specifically is being referenced, leading to confusion. Always ensure a clear connection to previous statements.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "this was shown" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has been demonstrated, proven, or revealed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, supported by numerous examples.
Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
30%
Academia
15%
Less common in
Wiki
10%
Formal & Business
4%
Reference
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "this was shown" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive voice construction. Ludwig AI, supported by numerous examples, confirms its validity and utility across diverse contexts, particularly in science, news media, and academia. It effectively conveys that a point has been demonstrated or proven. When using "this was shown", clarity is key; ensure that "this" has a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity. Consider related phrases like "it was demonstrated that" or "evidence suggests that" to vary your writing. Overall, "this was shown" is a reliable and versatile phrase for indicating that something has been validated or proven.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
this has been demonstrated
Replaces the past tense "was" with the present perfect "has been", emphasizing the continuing relevance or impact of the demonstration.
it was demonstrated that
Introduces a more formal tone, explicitly stating that something was proven or shown through a demonstration.
it has been proven
Conveys a stronger sense of certainty and validation compared to "this was shown".
evidence suggests that
Shifts the focus to the evidence supporting a claim, rather than directly stating that something was shown.
the experiment confirmed
Specifically refers to experimental validation, indicating that the experiment's results aligned with expectations.
the data indicated
Emphasizes the role of data in revealing or demonstrating a particular outcome or relationship.
studies have revealed
Highlights the role of research and studies in uncovering or demonstrating certain findings.
the results illustrated
Focuses on the illustrative nature of the results, suggesting they clearly depicted or demonstrated a concept.
findings corroborate that
Emphasizes the supporting nature of the findings, indicating they reinforce or confirm a pre-existing hypothesis or claim.
this was illustrated
Suggests that something was clarified or made understandable through an example or visual representation.
FAQs
How can I rephrase "this was shown" to sound more formal?
You can use phrases like "it was demonstrated that", "evidence suggests that", or "studies have revealed" to achieve a more formal tone.
What does "this was shown" mean in academic writing?
In academic writing, "this was shown" typically means that a particular result, theory, or hypothesis has been demonstrated or proven through research, experiments, or analysis.
Which is more accurate, "this was shown" or "this has been shown"?
Both phrases are grammatically correct, but their usage depends on the context. "This was shown" implies that the demonstration occurred in the past, while "this has been shown" suggests that the demonstration happened in the past and its relevance continues to the present.
What are some alternatives to "this was shown" that emphasize data or results?
You can use phrases like "the data indicated", "the experiment confirmed", or "the results illustrated" to specifically highlight the role of data and results in the demonstration.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested