why not show

USAGE SUMMARY

"Why not show" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are proposing an idea, to indicate that you think the idea is worth considering. For example: "We could make a presentation about the new product launch. Why not show a video to help explain the features?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Why not show those?

The New York Times

Why not show her face?

The New York Times - Arts

Why not show the hand dropping two?

The New Yorker

Why not show your own dramatic chops?

The Guardian

Or why not show actual text on the calendar squares?

The New York Times - Tech

"Why not show a measure of trust?" he said.

The New York Times

"Why not show the politicians who have incomes from property?

The Guardian

Why not show the vibrancy of our arts world?

The Guardian - Opinion

If you have one and it's there, why not show it?

The New Yorker

Why not show up, praise Oracle onstage, and go at it on the sales floor?

The New York Times

For example, why not show a company's total executive pay against its overall labor costs?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "why not show" when you want to make a suggestion in a direct, yet often polite, manner. It implies you see a clear benefit in displaying or revealing something.

Common error

While versatile, "why not show" can sound too casual in highly formal settings. Opt for phrases like "it is recommended to present" or "consider illustrating" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "why not show" functions primarily as a suggestion or a rhetorical question proposing an action. It invites consideration of displaying or revealing something. Ludwig highlights numerous examples of this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "why not show" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for making suggestions, especially regarding displaying or revealing information. As Ludwig confirms, it is versatile across various contexts, although it might be more appropriate for neutral or informal settings than highly formal ones. Alternatives like "why not reveal" or "why not demonstrate" can offer similar meanings with slight nuances. The phrase is prevalent in news and media, reflecting its broad applicability in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

why not reveal

Replaces "show" with "reveal", implying a disclosure of something previously hidden.

why not demonstrate

Substitutes "show" with "demonstrate", suggesting a practical display or explanation.

why not present

Replaces "show" with "present", indicating a formal introduction or display.

why not display

Uses "display" instead of "show", suggesting a visual exhibition.

why not illustrate

Replaces "show" with "illustrate", implying the use of examples or visuals for clarity.

why not expose

Substitutes "show" with "expose", suggesting the unveiling of something, often with a negative connotation.

why not indicate

Replaces "show" with "indicate", implying a suggestion or hint of something.

why not share

Uses "share" instead of "show", suggesting the act of distributing or making something available to others.

have you considered showing

Adds a softer tone by asking if the action of showing has already been thought about.

what about showing

Proposes an action using "what about", which can be less direct than "why not".

FAQs

How can I use "why not show" in a sentence?

Use "why not show" to make a suggestion or propose an idea. For example, "We're discussing marketing strategies; "why not show" the new advertisement to the team?"

What are some alternatives to "why not show"?

You can use alternatives like "why not reveal", "why not demonstrate", or "have you considered showing", depending on the context.

Is "why not show" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "why not show" can be perceived as informal. In formal writing, consider alternatives such as "it is recommended to present" or "it is suggested to illustrate".

What's the difference between "why not show" and "what about showing"?

"Why not show" is a more direct suggestion, while "what about showing" is a gentler, less assertive way to propose an idea.