The phrase “this shows” is commonly used in essays, emails, and everyday conversations to indicate evidence, results, or proof of a statement.
While it is clear and understandable, overusing it can make your writing repetitive and dull.
Choosing alternative expressions not only improves the flow of your sentences but also enhances professionalism, clarity, and engagement.
Using varied language allows English learners, students, and professionals to adapt their tone according to context.
For instance, in a formal essay, you might write: “This demonstrates the impact of climate change on agriculture.”
In a casual email, you could say: “This really points out the main issue.” Both convey the same idea but carry different levels of formality and tone.
By exploring multiple alternatives to “this shows”, you can make your writing richer, more precise, and suitable for academic, professional, or casual contexts.
What Does “This Shows” Mean?
Definition:
The phrase “this shows” indicates that something provides evidence, illustrates a point, or proves a statement.
It is commonly used to introduce proof, results, or examples in writing or speech.
Grammar Form:
- Verb phrase
- Present tense: shows
- Often followed by a clause or fact
Synonyms:
- Demonstrates (formal)
- Indicates (neutral)
- Reveals (formal)
- Highlights (neutral)
Opposites:
- Hides
- Conceals
Example Sentences:
- The data shows that students perform better with regular practice.
- Her reaction shows that she was surprised by the news.
When to Use “This Shows”
Spoken English:
Use in explanations or storytelling to indicate evidence casually.
“This shows why teamwork is so important.”
Business English:
Use to report results or justify decisions.
“This shows the need for immediate process improvements.”
Emails / Messages:
Can be used in professional updates or informal notes.
“The latest survey results show that customers prefer online support.”
Social Media:
Works well in captions or commentary, especially with visuals.
“This shows how amazing nature can be.”
Academic Writing:
Ideal for essays, research papers, and presentations.
“This shows a significant correlation between diet and mental health.”
Professional Meetings:
Use when presenting findings or reports.
“This shows that our new marketing strategy is effective.”
Is “This Shows” Polite or Professional?
- Tone: Neutral to formal
- Polite Level: Neutral; conveys fact without emotion
- Formal vs Informal: Suitable in both, but may sound casual in informal conversation.
Etiquette Tip:
Better for workplace reports, presentations, and essays. Avoid using repeatedly in corporate emails; vary with alternatives to maintain sophistication.
Pros & Cons of Using “This Shows”
Pros:
✔ Clear and direct
✔ Easy for beginners
✔ Neutral tone fits most contexts
✔ Useful in evidence-based writing
Cons:
✘ Can sound repetitive in essays or reports
✘ Lacks nuance in professional settings
✘ Limited expressive power in casual or creative writing
Quick Alternatives List
- Demonstrates
- Indicates
- Highlights
- Reveals
- Reflects
- Suggests
- Proves
- Confirms
- Points out
- Illustrates
- Signals
- Makes clear
- Validates
- Establishes
- Emphasizes
- Corroborates
12 Expanded Alternatives to “This Shows”
1. Demonstrates
Meaning: Clearly proves or illustrates a point.
Explanation: Strong formal tone; often used in essays and professional reports.
Grammar Note: Verb, formal
Example: The survey demonstrates a strong preference for online learning.
Best Use: Academic, workplace, reports
Worst Use: Casual text messages
Tone: Formal / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 9
Replaceability Tip: Use when writing formal essays or reports.
2. Indicates
Meaning: Suggests or points to a fact or trend.
Explanation: Neutral tone; suitable for both formal and semi-formal writing.
Grammar Note: Verb, neutral
Example: The data indicates an increase in productivity.
Best Use: Academic, professional, emails
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Neutral
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8
Replaceability Tip: Use when subtlety is needed.
3. Highlights
Meaning: Brings attention to an important point.
Explanation: Often emphasizes significance; slightly more informal than “demonstrates.”
Grammar Note: Verb
Example: The case study highlights the challenges faced by startups.
Best Use: Business reports, presentations, emails
Worst Use: Highly formal academic papers
Tone: Neutral / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8
4. Reveals
Meaning: Makes something known or visible.
Explanation: Shows discovery or insight; formal and impactful.
Grammar Note: Verb, formal
Example: The experiment reveals a pattern in human behavior.
Best Use: Academic papers, research findings
Worst Use: Casual text messages
Tone: Formal
Level: Advanced
Similarity Score: 9
5. Reflects
Meaning: Mirrors or shows a situation or feeling.
Explanation: Often used to show trends or emotions; softer tone.
Grammar Note: Verb
Example: Her reaction reflects the concerns of the team.
Best Use: Professional emails, reports, essays
Worst Use: Slang-heavy conversations
Tone: Neutral / Soft
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7
6. Suggests
Meaning: Indicates a possibility or recommendation.
Explanation: Slightly less direct; polite and soft.
Grammar Note: Verb
Example: The report suggests that more training is required.
Best Use: Workplace, emails, academic writing
Worst Use: Informal storytelling
Tone: Polite / Neutral
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7
7. Proves
Meaning: Provides evidence or certainty.
Explanation: Strong, formal, and definitive; avoids ambiguity.
Grammar Note: Verb, formal
Example: The study proves the effectiveness of the new method.
Best Use: Academic papers, legal writing
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Strong / Formal
Level: Advanced
Similarity Score: 9
8. Confirms
Meaning: Verifies or validates information.
Explanation: Neutral tone; often used in professional communication.
Grammar Note: Verb
Example: The data confirms previous research findings.
Best Use: Workplace, emails, reports
Worst Use: Social media casual posts
Tone: Neutral / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8
9. Points Out
Meaning: Draws attention to a fact or idea.
Explanation: Informal and conversational; useful for clarity.
Grammar Note: Phrasal verb
Example: The teacher points out common mistakes in the essay.
Best Use: Informal writing, spoken English
Worst Use: Formal essays or corporate emails
Tone: Friendly / Neutral
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 7
10. Illustrates
Meaning: Provides an example or visual explanation.
Explanation: Formal, clear, and illustrative; often used in writing.
Grammar Note: Verb
Example: The graph illustrates the growth in sales over five years.
Best Use: Academic, reports, presentations
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 9
11. Signals
Meaning: Indicates a change or warning.
Explanation: Often used in business or data analysis; slightly formal.
Grammar Note: Verb
Example: The drop in engagement signals a need for new strategies.
Best Use: Business, analytics, professional reports
Worst Use: Casual storytelling
Tone: Neutral / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8
12. Makes Clear
Meaning: Explains or clarifies an idea.
Explanation: Friendly, simple, and versatile; less formal than “demonstrates.”
Grammar Note: Verb phrase
Example: The chart makes clear the disparity between regions.
Best Use: Emails, casual explanations, presentations
Worst Use: Highly formal academic writing
Tone: Friendly / Neutral
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8
Mini Dialogue Examples
Formal Dialogue:
A: “The report shows a decline in profits.”
B: “Yes, this demonstrates the need for a new marketing strategy.”
Informal Dialogue:
A: “Wow, the turnout is huge!”
B: “Yeah, this really points out how popular the event is.”
Business Email Example:
Subject: Quarterly Results
Dear Team,
The latest survey results highlight the improvement in customer satisfaction over the last quarter.
Best regards,
Maria
Mistakes to Avoid
- Repeating “this shows” too often in essays.
- Using it where a stronger verb like demonstrates is more suitable.
- Applying it in casual conversations that require simpler words.
- Overusing formal alternatives in emails to friends or colleagues.
- Confusing suggests with proves—one is certain, the other is tentative.
- Mixing tones: using informal alternatives in academic papers.
- Misplacing the phrase in a sentence, making the meaning unclear.
Cultural & Tone Tips
- In UK English, “this shows” is neutral and widely acceptable in essays.
- In US English, it is considered slightly informal in professional writing; “demonstrates” is preferred.
- Casual social English prefers phrases like points out or makes clear.
- Tone shifts subtly based on context: formal words signal authority; informal words signal friendliness.
Comparison Table: 5 Best Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Context | Professional Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demonstrates | Formal | Academic/Reports | High | The study demonstrates the effect of climate change. |
| Highlights | Neutral | Emails/Presentations | Medium | The report highlights customer feedback trends. |
| Reveals | Formal | Research/Essays | High | The experiment reveals new patterns in behavior. |
| Points Out | Friendly | Casual/Teaching | Low | The teacher points out common errors. |
| Illustrates | Formal | Academic/Business | High | The graph illustrates sales growth over five years. |
FAQs
Is “this shows” rude?
No, it is neutral and polite.
Is it okay in emails?
Yes, but vary with alternatives to sound professional.
What is the most formal alternative?
Demonstrates or illustrates.
What is the most polite alternative?
Suggests or reflects.
What should beginners use?
Points out or makes clear.
Can I use it in social media posts?
Yes, simpler alternatives like points out or makes clear work better.
Conclusion
Using varied expressions instead of “this shows” strengthens writing, clarifies meaning, and adapts tone for different contexts. From essays to emails, casual conversations to professional meetings, choosing the right alternative improves fluency, precision, and professionalism. Practicing these alternatives helps learners sound natural and confident in English. Experiment with these phrases in real conversations and writing to master both formal and informal contexts.
Ethan Cole is a passionate language enthusiast dedicated to making English learning simple and enjoyable.