work to illustrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work to illustrate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing efforts or actions taken to clarify or demonstrate a point or concept. Example: "The author uses various examples and anecdotes to work to illustrate the main themes of the novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

As Kalb points out, Duchenne's "was the first scientific work to illustrate its findings with photographs".

The New Yorker

Duchenne's was the first scientific work to illustrate its findings with photographs.

The New Yorker

"It is usually librarians, authors, and booksellers (with the one exception) that come to my defense because they see what happens to books everyday and acknowledge that they are mass-produced objects and that I put enough time into the work to illustrate my reverence for the material".

The New Yorker

In Ernst Gombrich's model of sequential attempts to make the perfect copy, the relationship between skin, bone and muscle, he describes how the body was put to work to illustrate historical or mythological stories and then put to work in the statue to support the status quo.

Independent

A complex reaction scheme is considered in this work to illustrate the ideas.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

One example is given in this work to illustrate the potentiality of the proposed methodology and to support the final conclusions.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"Action/Abstraction" crammed the Jewish Museum with Abstract Expressionist works to illustrate the ideas and tastes of the movement's warring critics Clement Greenberg and Harold Rosenberg.

The New Yorker

In addition to taking care of eight children, Jan embroidered art works to illustrate the covers of his books; she sewed wedding dresses for several women in his lab group; and, in 1986, she found Manor Farm, a fourteen-acre homestead in East Dean, between Southampton and Salisbury.

The New Yorker

Finally, we present some experimental works to illustrate the interesting features of the effect.

Optics Communications

It presents some examples of pioneer works to illustrate the architecture of sustainable reconfigurable computing systems.

Sustainable Computing: Informatics and Systems

Numerical examples are worked to illustrate the salient features of the optimization technique as well as to give insight into the nature of the optimal policies.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work to illustrate" when you want to emphasize the effort or process involved in making something clear or providing examples to support a point. This phrase is particularly effective when the illustration requires detailed explanation or multiple steps.

Common error

Avoid using "work to illustrate" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "aim to demonstrate", "seek to clarify", or "endeavor to exhibit" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work to illustrate" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the reason or intention behind an action, typically involving the use of examples or demonstrations to clarify a point. Ludwig shows that the phrase is used to connect an action with its intended outcome of making something clear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "work to illustrate" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the intention of clarifying something through examples or demonstrations. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable. While it has a relatively low frequency, its usage spans across scientific and news media contexts, suggesting a versatile yet somewhat formal tone. When aiming for clarity and providing supporting examples, "work to illustrate" effectively conveys the effort involved in making a concept understandable. Consider synonyms like "aim to demonstrate" or "seek to clarify" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work to demonstrate

Similar meaning, but uses "demonstrate" instead of "illustrate".

aim to demonstrate

Focuses on the intention or goal of showing something clearly.

seek to clarify

Emphasizes the attempt to make something easier to understand.

attempt to explain

Highlights the act of making something understandable.

try to elucidate

Highlights the effort to explain something in detail.

strive to exemplify

Indicates an effort to serve as a model or example.

endeavor to exhibit

Suggests an attempt to display or present something.

make an effort to portray

Focuses on the exertion to depict or represent something.

undertake to reveal

Suggests a commitment to uncover or disclose something.

act to illuminate

Focuses on the use of actions or examples to shed light on a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "work to illustrate" in a sentence?

You can use "work to illustrate" when you want to emphasize an effort to clarify a concept through examples. For example, "The author uses case studies to "work to illustrate" the impact of the policy change."

What can I say instead of "work to illustrate"?

Alternatives to "work to illustrate" include "aim to demonstrate", "seek to clarify", or "endeavor to exhibit". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "work to illustrate" or "works to illustrate"?

"Work to illustrate" is generally used with a subject implying effort or action. "Works to illustrate" is grammatically incorrect unless referring to a specific piece of art or a machine that functions in that manner. For example, "This method aims to "work to illustrate" the point."

What's the difference between "work to illustrate" and "attempt to explain"?

"Work to illustrate" emphasizes the use of examples or visual aids to clarify something, whereas "attempt to explain" focuses on conveying information to make something understandable. The first uses a practical approach; the second, a theoretical or descriptive approach.