words to use instead of this shows in an essay

15 Other Words for “This Shows” in an Essay

Are you worried about including “this shows” again and again in an essay?

After all, the last thing you want to do is sound repetitive and boring.

Fret not! You have found yourself in the right place.

This article will explore other ways to say “this shows” in an essay.

Other Ways to Say “This Shows”

• This demonstrates
• This indicates
• This implies
• This portrays
• This illustrates
• This establishes
• This proves
• This points to
• This highlights

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• “This shows” is a common phrase used in essays to demonstrate how one thing leads to another.
• “This demonstrates” is a great formal synonym that’ll help to spice up your academic writing.
• Try “suggesting” as an alternative that shows how one thing could have created another.

Keep reading to learn different ways to say “this shows.” We’ve covered the two best phrases to help you understand more about how you can improve your essays.

Alternatively, you can read the final section to learn whether it’s correct to write “this shows.” It’s appropriate to check this out before continuing to include it in your essay!

This Demonstrates

If you’re looking for words to use instead of “this shows” in an essay, try “this demonstrates.” It’s a great formal synonym that’ll help to spice things up.

It also comes with two options. You can use it at the start of a sentence as written:

 This is option one. This demonstrates how to continue a thought from the previous sentence.

Or, you can include it as part of the same sentence. To do this, you should switch “this demonstrates” to “demonstrating.” For example:

This is option two, demonstrating that it’s part of the same sentence.

Either way, both are correct. The same applies to “this shows,” where you can use “showing” to include it in the same sentence.

It’s a great way to help the reader follow your process . This should make your essay much easier to read, even if the reader isn’t all that familiar with the topic.

You can also refer to these essay samples:

As you can see, we have also gathered all the necessary data. This demonstrates that we were correct about our original hypothesis.

They have created different rules for what we know. This demonstrates that they’re worried someone might try to interfere with them.

Also, you can write “suggesting” instead of “this shows.” It’s another great professional synonym that’ll help you to keep your writing interesting.

As we’ve already stated, you can use “suggesting” as part of the same sentence:

This is how it works, suggesting you can keep it to one sentence.

Or, you can switch it to “this suggests” to start a new sentence. For instance:

This is how it works. This suggests that you can create two sentences.

Both are correct. They also allow you to switch between them, giving you two options to help mix up your writing and keep the reader engaged .

Here are some essay examples if you still need help:

We have many new ideas ready to go, suggesting that we’re on the road to success. We just need more time.

This is the only way to complete the task, suggesting that things aren’t going to be as easy as we first thought.

Is It Correct to Say “This Shows”?

It is correct to say “this shows.” It’s a great word to use in an essay, and we highly recommend it when you’d like to show how one thing leads to another.

It’s a formal option, which is why it works so well in academic writing.

Also, it allows the reader to follow your thought process, which helps keep things streamlined and clear.

For instance:

Here is an example of how we can achieve this. This shows that we have considered every option so far.

“This shows” always starts a new sentence . You can use it whenever you’d like to connect back to the former sentence directly.

Also, makes sure you use “shows” as the verb form. It comes after “this,” so the only correct form is “shows.” To remind you, you can refer to these examples:

• Correct: This shows that things are supposed to work this way.
• Incorrect: This show that we know what we’re doing.

It’s worth using some extensions if you’re still looking to mix things up as well. Try any of the following:

• This evidence shows
• This picture shows
• This data shows
• This graph shows
• This study shows

Including something between “this” and “shows” allows you to be more specific . It helps direct the reader’s attention to something from the previous sentence.

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10 Other Words for “This Shows” in an Essay

Showing how one thing affects another is great in academic writing. It shows that you’ve connected two points with each other, making sure the reader follows along.

However, is “this shows” the only appropriate choice when linking two ideas?

We have gathered some helpful synonyms teaching you other ways to say “this shows” in an essay.

• Demonstrating
• This implies
• This allows
• This displays

Keep reading to learn more words to replace “this shows” in an essay. You can also review the examples we provide under each heading.

Removing “this” from “this shows” creates a simple formal synonym to mix up your writing. You can instead write “showing” in academic writing to demonstrate an effect .

Typically, this is a great way to limit your word count . Sure, you’re only removing one word from your essay, but if you can find other areas to do something similar, you’ll be more efficient .

Efficient essays often make for the most interesting ones. They also make it much easier for the reader to follow, and the reviewer will usually be able to give you a more appropriate grade.

Check out these examples if you still need help:

• The facts state most of the information here, showing that we still have a lot of work to do before moving forward.
• This is the only way to complete the project, showing that things aren’t quite ready to progress.

2. Demonstrating

Following a similar idea to using “showing,” you can also use “demonstrating.” This comes from the idea that “this demonstrates” is a bit redundant. So, you can remove “this.”

Again, demonstrating ideas is a great way to engage the reader . You can use it in the middle of a sentence to explain how two things affect each other.

You can also review the following examples:

• These are the leading causes, demonstrating the fundamental ways to get through it. Which do you think is worth pursuing?
• I would like to direct your attention to this poll, demonstrating the do’s and don’ts for tasks like this one.

3. Leading To

There are plenty of ways to talk about different causes and effects in your writing. A good choice to include in the middle of a sentence is “leading to.”

When something “leads to” something else, it is a direct cause . Therefore, it’s worth including “leading to” in an essay when making relevant connections in your text.

Here are some examples to help you understand it:

• This is what we are looking to achieve, leading to huge capital gains for everyone associated with it.
• I would like to direct your attention to this assignment, leading to what could be huge changes in the status quo.

4. Creating

Often, you can create cause-and-effect relationships in your writing by including two similar ideas. Therefore, it’s worth including “creating” to demonstrate a connection to the reader.

Including “creating” in the middle of a sentence allows you to clarify certain causes . This helps to streamline your academic writing and ensures the reader knows what you’re talking about.

Perhaps these essay samples will also help you:

• We could not complete the task quickly, creating a problem when it came to the next part of the movement.
• I thought about the ideas, creating the process that we know today. I’m glad I took the time to work through it.

5. This Implies

For a more formal way to say “this shows,” try “this implies.” Of course, it doesn’t change much from the original phrase, but that doesn’t mean it’s ineffective.

In fact, using “this implies” (or “implying” for streamlining) allows you to discuss implications and facts from the previous sentence.

You will often start a sentence with “this implies.” It shows you have relevant and useful information to discuss with the reader.

However, it only works when starting a sentence. You cannot use it to start a new paragraph as it does not relate to anything. “This implies” must always relate to something mentioned before.

You can also review these examples:

• I appreciate everything that they did for us. This implies they’re willing to work together on other projects.
• You can’t always get these things right. This implies we still have a lot of work to do before we can finalize anything.

“Proving” is a word you can use instead of “this shows” in an essay. It comes from “this proves,” showing how something creates another situation .

Proof is often the most important in scientific studies and arguments. Therefore, it’s very common to use “proving” instead of “this shows” in scientific essays and writing.

We recommend using this when discussing your experiments and explaining how it might cause something specific to happen. It helps the reader follow your ideas on the page.

Perhaps the following examples will also help you:

• They provided us with multiple variables, proving that we weren’t the only ones working on the experiment.
• I could not figure out the way forward, proving that it came down to a choice. I didn’t know the best course of action.

7. This Allows

Often, when you talk about a cause in your essays, it allows an effect to take place. You can talk more about this relationship with a phrase like “this allows.”

At the start of a sentence , “this allows” is a great way to describe a cause-and-effect relationship . It keeps the reader engaged and ensures they know what you’re talking about.

Also, using “this allows” directly after expressing your views explains the purpose of your writing. This could show a reader why you’ve even decided to write the essay in the first place.

• Many scenarios work here. This allows us to explore different situations to see which works best.
• I found the best way to address the situation. This allows me to provide more ideas to upper management.

8. This Displays

It might not be as common, but “this displays” is still a great choice in academic writing. You can use it when discussing how one thing leads to another .

Usually, “this displays” works best when discussing data points or figures . It’s a great way to show how you can display your information within your writing to make things easy for the reader .

You can refer to these examples if you’re still unsure:

• We have not considered every outcome. This displays a lack of planning and poor judgment regarding the team.
• I’m afraid this is the only way we can continue it. This displays a problem for most of the senior shareholders.

9. Indicating

Indicating how things connect to each other helps readers to pay attention. The clearer your connections, the better your essay will be.

Therefore, it’s worth including “indicating” in the middle of a sentence . It shows you two points relate to each other .

Often, this allows you to talk about specific effects. It’s a great way to explain the purpose of a paragraph (or the essay as a whole, depending on the context).

If you’re still stuck, review these examples:

• There are plenty of great alternatives to use, indicating that you don’t have to be so close-minded about the process.
• I have compiled a list of information to help you, indicating the plethora of ways you can complete it.

10. Suggesting

Finally, “suggesting” is a word you can use instead of “this shows” in an essay. It’s quite formal and works well in academic writing.

We highly recommend using it when creating a suggestion from a previous sentence . It allows the reader to follow along and see how one thing affects another.

Also, it’s not particularly common in essays. Therefore, it’s a great choice to mix things up and keep things a little more interesting.

Here are a few essay samples to help you with it:

• You could have done it in many other ways, suggesting that there was always a better outcome than the one you got.
• I didn’t know what to think of it, suggesting that I was tempted by the offer. I’m still weighing up the options.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

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9 Formal Synonyms for “This Shows”

Do you want to discuss how one sentence confirms a thought or idea in another sentence?

Perhaps you’re worried that “this shows” doesn’t work too well in an essay because it’s informal or rude.

Well, you’re in luck!

This article will teach you other ways to say “this shows” to keep your writing interesting.

Is It Formal to Say “This Shows”?

It is formal to say “this shows.” You can use it in academic writing because it helps you to confirm how one sentence relates to another.

It’s also professional . Therefore, it’s always a good choice in essays.

However, you should be careful using it too much. Oversaturating your essays with “this shows” can take away from their impact and cause your essay to sound repetitive and boring.

Feel free to review this example to learn a bit more about it:

It’s clear that this is the best way forward. This shows that no other solution was reasonable to consider.

• It’s formal and direct.
• Readers will understand that you’re relating your sentence back to a previous one.
• It can very quickly become repetitive and boring.
• It’s not the most imaginative phrase to use to link sentences.

So, it’s clear that “this shows” works well in your writing. But that doesn’t mean you should limit yourself to using it as your only option.

Keep reading to learn other words for “this shows” in an essay. We’ve touched on some of the best synonyms to give you a better idea of what will work.

What to Say Instead of “This Shows”

• This demonstrates
• This illustrates
• This signifies
• This indicates
• This confirms
• This conveys

1. This Demonstrates

We recommend starting with “this demonstrates” to show you’re talking about something from the previous sentence.

It’s a great way to keep things formal and informative . Therefore, you can use it when filling out an essay or completing a passage of text that might benefit from linked sentences.

For the most part, if you can demonstrate how one thing leads to another, it’s good writing. After all, it’ll help readers to understand what you’re saying and how to make connections in your work.

You can refer to these essay samples to learn a bit more about it:

It’s clear what needs to be done. This demonstrates the resolve required to complete a task like this one.

We only had one option. This demonstrates that every other possible outcome has been expended and made impossible to continue.

2. This Illustrates

Next, we recommend writing “this illustrates.” It’s another way to say “this shows” that helps you to mix things up and sound less repetitive when you want to.

Generally, it’s a good formal synonym that shows why your previous sentence links to a new one.

It’s an effective way to engage a reader . It’s also professional and direct , so it’ll keep readers involved when they’re going through your essay.

Also, it’s worth reviewing these examples to learn more:

I’ve included all the findings to show you what I mean. This illustrates that there are still a few ways for me to continue with this.

This illustrates how simple it is to make it work. However, it’s going to take a few extra pairs of hands before we can start doing anything more.

Next, we want to mix things up a little bit. Rather than only focusing on academic writing, we also recommend using some of these synonyms in an email.

For instance, “showing” can work really well to link your email to itself.

But how does that work?

Well, you can use “showing” in the middle of a sentence to professionally explain why you’re writing about something.

It’s good to use when contacting a coworker . After all, you can explain your thought process and let them know more about what you’re thinking and what it “shows.”

Also, “this shows” and “showing” are nearly identical in usage. However, you must never forget you can’t start a sentence with “showing.” It must be placed in the middle of a sentence.

If you’re still unsure, perhaps this email sample will help you:

Dear Michael, I’m going to do it like this, showing that it’s still possible to complete the tasks without them. Please advise me on what you think is the best way to move forward. Yours, Brian Renshaw

4. This Signifies

Back to essays, we recommend writing “this signifies” as well. It teaches you how to say “this shows” in an essay when you’re trying to mix things up.

For the most part, this keeps things professional and clear . Therefore, it’s a great way to explain how things work or connect with each other.

Readers and reviewers will certainly appreciate including phrases like this.

That’s why we recommend using it in academic writing, as it’s bound to impress your professor if you want to.

After all, if they’re grading your work, it’s good to show that you know what you’re talking about.

As always, try not to repeat it too much! It can very easily make your essay sound repetitive if you’re not careful, which is never a good idea.

Also, you can check out these examples to learn a bit more:

As you can see, there are a few errors to discuss. This signifies that things still need to change before we can keep moving forward.

This signifies what could happen if things are left unattended. That’s why it’s important for us to break through quickly.

5. This Indicates

If you’re still unsure how to say “this shows” in an essay, try using “this indicates.”

It’s a great synonym that teaches you more about the things that work well in your writing.

After all, the more you explore your alternatives, the better your work will look. The last thing you want to do with your essays is make them repetitive and samey.

Readers will engage more when using phrases like this.

Here are some examples to also help you with it:

This indicates everything I’m trying to discuss with you. I think it’s important for you to pay attention to what’s to come.

It’s clear what I have to do. This indicates that only one option is going to work in our favor, so we must be prepared.

6. Implying

Next, we recommend writing “implying” instead of “this shows.” Again, this is a good one to use in the middle of a sentence .

So, we recommend writing it when explaining how one situation leads to another in the same string of text.

It’s good in academic writing as it’s quite professional and clear .

You can review these examples to see more about how to use it:

The statistics have made the situation more clear, implying that we need to make drastic changes quickly.

This is how it will work, implying that someone is going to need to step up to ensure things go that way.

7. Suggesting

Another good choice in academic essays is “suggesting.” This works in the middle of a sentence by showing how one idea suggests that another can happen.

You can use it to keep the reader informed as you go through an essay.

The more links you make within your sentences, the more your essay will make sense to the people reading or grading it.

That’s why we like this as an option in most graded essays. However, you should still try to limit how often you use something like this.

Check out these examples to find out more about how it works:

I have looked into it and found nothing important, suggesting that this isn’t the right place to go.

It’s clear what we need to do next, suggesting that there are some options we have yet to explore.

8. This Confirms

Going back to an email alternative, we recommend trying “this confirms.”

It’s a great way to confirm or suggest information to the recipient. It also creates a clear and direct link between the two things you’ve mentioned in an email.

So, you can use it when writing to coworkers . It shows you’ve looked into a collaborative effort and noticed that one thing confirms another.

Here’s a helpful sample email to show you more about how to use it:

Dear Steven, I looked into the project we’ve got so far, but we need to make some changes. This confirms that Alice did not look at the notes properly. Best regards, Sean Bryce

9. This Conveys

Finally, you can use “this conveys” in your formal essays . It’s a good way to entice the reader and let them know you’re in control of your own narrative.

It’s a good way to convey or confirm information quickly.

It gets to the point and shows you’re happy to explain yourself further if someone still isn’t getting what you’re saying.

Here are some helpful samples to show you a bit more about it:

As you can see, the results are a bit skewed. This conveys that we have to work harder to narrow the gap.

This conveys exactly what we thought would happen. Therefore, more works needs to be done to improve.

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Good alternative ways to say “This shows” in an essay

• December 31, 2023
• Alternative Words

In an essay, when we use the phrase “This shows,” we are basically pointing out that something in the essay clearly demonstrates or proves a point . It’s like saying, “Look here, you can see an example or evidence of what I’m talking about.”

For example, imagine you’re writing an essay about the benefits of exercise. If you include a statistic that people who exercise regularly have lower stress levels, you might say, “This shows the positive impact of exercise on mental health.” In this case, “This shows” is your way of highlighting that the statistic you’ve mentioned is a clear example or proof of the benefits you’re discussing.

So, “This shows” is a handy tool in an essay to draw attention to evidence, examples, or arguments that support your main points. It’s like a signpost saying, “Here’s the proof!” or “This is what I mean!” It helps readers see exactly where your points are being backed up by the information or analysis you’re providing.

Table of Contents

Alternative ways to say “This shows” in an essay

• “This demonstrates…”
• “This illustrates…”
• “This highlights…”
• “This indicates…”
• “This reveals…”
• “This suggests…”
• “This exemplifies…”
• “This underscores…”
• “This confirms…”
• “This establishes…”
• “This points to…”
• “This corroborates…”
• “This proves…”
• “This reflects…”
• “This signifies…”
• “This substantiates…”
• “This supports…”
• “This affirms…”
• “This conveys…”
• “This validates…”
• “This clarifies…”
• “This elucidates…”
• “This depicts…”
• “This articulates…”
• “This embodies…”

Different types of saying “This shows” in an essay

When presenting statistical evidence.

• “This statistic underscores…”
• “These numbers illustrate…”
• “The data highlights…”
• “This graph demonstrates…”
• “These figures reveal…”

When Discussing Historical Events

• “This event exemplifies…”
• “This historical example indicates…”
• “The occurrence of this event demonstrates…”
• “This period in history reveals…”
• “These historical facts corroborate…”

When Analyzing Literary Texts

• “This passage illustrates…”
• “The character’s actions underscore…”
• “This metaphor highlights…”
• “The author’s use of imagery reveals…”
• “This narrative technique demonstrates…”

When Explaining Scientific Concepts or Findings

• “This experiment confirms…”
• “These findings substantiate…”
• “The research indicates…”
• “This theory is supported by…”
• “These observations suggest…”

When Making an Argument or Persuasive Point

• “This argument solidifies…”
• “The provided evidence supports…”
• “This example strengthens…”
• “These reasons affirm…”
• “This rationale clarifies…”

Professional ways to say “This shows” in an essay

• “This evidence clearly demonstrates the validity of our hypothesis.”
• “The data presented herein substantiates the argument that…”
• “These findings corroborate the theoretical framework proposed.”
• “This analysis confirms the predicted outcomes outlined earlier.”
• “The results of this study validate our initial assumptions.”

Correct And Incorrect Ways to Say “This shows” in an essay

Correct usage in presenting evidence.

Correct: “The increase in data breaches this year shows the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.”

Incorrect: “Data breaches this year shows needing more cybersecurity.”

Why Incorrect: The incorrect example has grammatical errors and lacks clarity. The verb “shows” does not agree with the subject “increase,” and the phrase “needing more cybersecurity” is awkwardly constructed.

Correct Usage in Making a Conclusion

Correct: “This shows the effectiveness of the new marketing strategy.”

Incorrect: “This is showing how the new marketing strategy is effective.”

Why Incorrect: While not grammatically incorrect, the continuous tense (“is showing”) is less direct and less preferred in formal writing than the simple present tense (“shows”).

Correct Usage in Analyzing Literature

Correct: “The protagonist’s decision at the climax shows the theme of personal sacrifice.”

Incorrect: “At the climax, the protagonist decides and this shows personal sacrifice theme.”

Why Incorrect: The incorrect example is awkwardly phrased and lacks clarity. It fails to directly link the protagonist’s decision to the demonstration of the theme.

Correct Usage in Discussing Historical Events

Correct: “This treaty shows the changing political dynamics of the era.”

Incorrect: “This shows the era’s changing political dynamics are because of this treaty.”

Why Incorrect: The sentence is convoluted and grammatically incorrect. The cause-and-effect relationship is not clearly stated.

Correct Usage in Scientific Explanation

Correct: “This shows the relationship between temperature and chemical reaction rates.”

Incorrect: “Showing this, the temperature and chemical reaction rates.”

Why Incorrect: The incorrect example lacks a clear subject and verb, making the sentence fragmented and unclear.

Is “This shows” suitable for all types of essays?

Absolutely! “This shows” is a versatile phrase and can be used in various types of essays, including analytical, persuasive, and expository essays . It’s great for pointing out evidence or making connections to your main argument.

Can “This shows” be used to introduce a quote or example?

Yes, it’s a perfect phrase for that. You can use “This shows” to introduce a quote or an example that supports your argument or point of view in the essay.

How can I make sure “This shows” doesn’t sound repetitive?

To avoid repetition, try using synonyms or similar phrases like “This demonstrates,” “This indicates,” or “This illustrates.” Varying your language keeps the essay engaging.

Is it okay to start a paragraph with “This shows”?

It’s generally okay, but it’s often more effective if “This shows” follows some specific information, data, or a quote. Starting a paragraph with it may sometimes lack context, so ensure that what “this” refers to is clear.

Can “This shows” be used in the conclusion of an essay?

Yes, it can be used effectively in a conclusion, especially when summarizing how your evidence supports your thesis statement. It helps reinforce the points you’ve made throughout the essay.

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12 Other Words for “This Shows” in an Essay

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Embarking on the journey of expressive writing requires the adept use of language . Unveiling alternative phrases for “This Shows” can transform your essays into compelling narratives. In this article, we delve into 12 distinctive expressions, enhancing your ability to articulate thoughts with finesse. Let’s embark on this linguistic exploration.

12 Other Words for “This Shows”

Here are 12 alternative expressions for “This Shows”:

• Demonstrates
• Illustrates
• Exemplifies

Here’s a table with meanings and examples for the 12 alternative expressions for “This Shows”:

These alternative expressions provide a rich tapestry of language to convey ideas effectively in writing. By diversifying your vocabulary, you can add nuance and depth to your communication, ensuring that your message resonates with clarity and impact.

Is It Correct to Say “This Shows”?

Certainly, using the phrase “This shows” is grammatically correct, and it’s a commonly employed expression in writing and speaking. However, to enhance the variety and sophistication of your language, you might consider incorporating alternative expressions for greater impact.

The phrase “This shows” is straightforward and direct, making it suitable for various contexts, from academic writing to everyday communication. It efficiently conveys the idea that something is being demonstrated or revealed. For example:

• “The data analysis is thorough, and this shows the researcher’s attention to detail.”
• “She consistently meets deadlines, and this shows her commitment to the project.”

While grammatically correct, it’s beneficial to diversify your vocabulary to prevent repetition and add nuance to your expression. Utilizing alternatives such as “demonstrates,” “illustrates,” “reveals,” or any of the other suggested terms in this article can elevate the quality of your writing, providing a more varied and sophisticated linguistic palette.

Professional Mail Example With “This Shows”

Subject: Project Progress Update – Milestone Achieved

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I trust this email finds you well. I am writing to provide you with an update on the current status of the project.

We have successfully completed the initial phase of the project, and I am pleased to inform you that our team’s collective efforts have borne fruit. This shows the dedication and commitment we have invested in ensuring the project’s success .

To delve into specifics, the data analysis, as outlined in our project plan, has been meticulously executed. The comprehensive report generated from this analysis not only meets but exceeds the expected standards. This shows our attention to detail and commitment to delivering quality outcomes.

Moreover, our collaborative approach with the cross-functional teams has significantly contributed to the seamless progression of tasks. This shows the effectiveness of our teamwork and the positive impact it has on project timelines.

In the coming weeks, we are poised to enter the next phase, building upon the solid foundation laid during this initial stage. We are confident that the momentum we’ve gained will propel us toward meeting and even surpassing our project objectives.

I welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have as we proceed. Your insights are invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring the project aligns with your expectations.

Thank you for your continued support and trust in our team’s capabilities. We look forward to achieving further milestones together.

Best regards,

[Your Full Name] [Your Position] [Your Contact Information]

1. Evidently: A Clear Path to Clarity

“Evidently” is an adverb used to convey a clear and unmistakable indication of a situation or fact.

In formal writing, “evidently” can enhance the expression of certainties or observations without leaving room for doubt. In informal contexts, it adds a touch of confidence to casual conversations.

Formal: The research data EVIDENTLY supports the hypothesis, showcasing a significant correlation between variables.

Informal: EVIDENTLY, she has a talent for turning challenges into opportunities.

Email Sample:

Subject: Evidently Successful Project Results

Dear [Recipient],

I hope this message finds you well. I am pleased to inform you that our recent project has EVIDENTLY exceeded expectations. Attached is a detailed report for your review.

Best regards, [Your Name]

• Formal Variation: It is EVIDENT FROM THE ANALYSIS that our strategy is effective.
• Informal Variation: EVIDENTLY, you aced that presentation!

Using “evidently” brings an air of authority to your statements, making it suitable for professional communication where clarity is paramount.

2. Demonstrates: Showcasing Excellence

“Demonstrates” is a verb indicating a clear and conclusive presentation of a concept, skill, or fact.

In formal writing, “demonstrates” is powerful for illustrating achievements or capabilities. In casual settings, it can highlight personal skills or achievements.

Formal: The experiment DEMONSTRATES the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

Informal: He DEMONSTRATES exceptional leadership in every project.

Subject: Demonstrates Strong Leadership

I wanted to bring to your attention how [Name] consistently DEMONSTRATES exceptional leadership skills in our team. His recent contributions have been noteworthy.

• Formal Variation: The report DEMONSTRATES the company’s commitment to sustainability.
• Informal Variation: She DEMONSTRATES creativity in every design.

“Demonstrates” adds weight to your assertions, making it ideal for showcasing accomplishments in professional and personal contexts.

3. Illustrates: Painting Pictures with Words

“Illustrates” is a verb conveying the creation of a clear and vivid picture through words, often used to explain or clarify.

Formally, “illustrates” is potent for elucidating complex concepts. In informal communication, it lends a creative flair to storytelling.

Formal: The graph ILLUSTRATES the correlation between input and output variables.

Informal: Let me ILLUSTRATE my point with a personal anecdote.

Subject: Illustrates Our Progress

The attached report ILLUSTRATES the remarkable progress we’ve made this quarter. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

• Formal Variation: The case study ILLUSTRATES the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
• Informal Variation: His experience ILLUSTRATES the power of resilience.

“Illustrates” is a versatile term, suitable for both technical explanations and adding a storytelling element to your conversations.

4. Reveals: Unveiling Truths

“Reveals” is a verb indicating the disclosure or exposure of something previously hidden or unknown.

In formal contexts, “reveals” is impactful for unveiling discoveries or insights. Informally, it adds a dramatic touch to everyday storytelling.

Formal: The investigation REVEALS new dimensions in our understanding of the phenomenon.

Informal: Guess what the interview REVEALS about his unconventional career path!

Subject: Reveals Key Findings

The attached document REVEALS key findings from our recent market analysis. Your insights on this matter would be valuable.

• Formal Variation: The research REVEALS a previously unknown correlation.
• Informal Variation: This documentary REVEALS the hidden gems of our city.

“Reveals” adds a touch of intrigue to your narrative, making it suitable for both professional revelations and casual storytelling.

5. Displays: Showcasing for Impact

“Displays” is a verb indicating the presentation or exhibition of something for observation or admiration.

In formal writing, “displays” is apt for showcasing achievements or results. Informally, it adds flair to expressing personal accomplishments.

Formal: The conference room DISPLAYS a collection of awards highlighting our achievements.

Informal: She DISPLAYS a remarkable level of dedication to her craft.

Subject: Displays of Excellence

Our team consistently DISPLAYS excellence in every project. Please find the attached report for your review.

• Formal Variation: The showroom DISPLAYS the latest innovations in technology.
• Informal Variation: He DISPLAYS unmatched passion for his hobbies.

“Displays” emphasizes visibility and impact, making it suitable for professional and personal contexts, especially when showcasing accomplishments.

6. Manifests: Bringing Ideas to Life

“Manifests” is a verb signifying the clear and tangible expression or demonstration of an idea, quality, or feeling.

In formal settings, “manifests” is potent for portraying tangible outcomes. Informally, it adds a touch of vividness to personal narratives.

Formal: His dedication MANIFESTS in the consistent quality of work delivered.

Informal: The team spirit MANIFESTS in our successful collaborations.

Subject: Manifests Exceptional Performance

I wanted to highlight how [Name]’s effort MANIFESTS in the exceptional performance of our recent project. Please find the details attached.

• Formal Variation: The initiative MANIFESTS the organization’s commitment to sustainability.
• Informal Variation: His kindness MANIFESTS in the little things he does for others.

“Manifests” adds a layer of tangibility to your descriptions, making it suitable for both professional and personal contexts, especially when emphasizing dedication or commitment.

7. Portrays: Crafting a Narrative

“Portrays” is a verb conveying the representation or depiction of something through words, images, or actions.

Formally, “portrays” is effective for creating a narrative or analysis. Informally, it adds a storytelling element to personal anecdotes.

Formal: The movie PORTRAYS the harsh realities of urban life.

Informal: Let me PORTRAY a scene from my recent travel adventure.

Subject: Portrays Our Brand Identity

I trust this message finds you well. The attached document PORTRAYS our brand identity and the values we hold dear.

• Formal Variation: The report PORTRAYS the evolving landscape of our industry.
• Informal Variation: His artwork beautifully PORTRAYS the essence of nature.

“Portrays” invites readers to visualize, making it suitable for both analytical writing and creative storytelling.

8. Exemplifies: Setting a Standard

“Exemplifies” is a verb indicating the action of serving as a typical example or illustration of a concept or quality.

In formal writing, “exemplifies” is powerful for setting standards or showcasing ideal scenarios. Informally, it adds a touch of admiration to personal narratives.

Formal: The successful entrepreneur EXEMPLIFIES resilience and adaptability.

Informal: She truly EXEMPLIFIES the meaning of generosity.

Subject: Exemplifies Excellence

I am delighted to share how [Name] consistently EXEMPLIFIES excellence in their role. Please find the details attached.

• Formal Variation: The project EXEMPLIFIES the organization’s commitment to innovation.
• Informal Variation: Your dedication EXEMPLIFIES true friendship.

“Exemplifies” adds a layer of admiration to your descriptions, making it suitable for both professional and personal contexts, especially when highlighting exemplary qualities.

9. Conveys: Communicating with Precision

“Conveys” is a verb indicating the clear and effective communication of an idea, feeling, or information.

In formal writing, “conveys” is essential for emphasizing effective communication. Informally, it brings a touch of intention to casual conversations.

Formal: The speaker CONVEYS the urgency of addressing climate change in his presentation.

Informal: She CONVEYS her excitement for the upcoming event through animated gestures.

Subject: Conveys Key Messages

The attached document CONVEYS the key messages from our recent meeting. Your feedback is highly appreciated.

• Formal Variation: The artwork CONVEYS the artist’s commentary on societal issues.
• Informal Variation: His smile CONVEYS a sense of genuine happiness.

“Conveys” adds a layer of intention to your communication, making it suitable for both formal presentations and casual expressions.

10. Signifies: Indicating Importance

“Signifies” is a verb indicating the action of conveying meaning, importance, or intention.

Formally, “signifies” is potent for indicating significance. Informally, it adds depth to expressions of importance or intent.

Formal: The ringing bell SIGNIFIES the end of the school day.

Informal: Their shared laughter SIGNIFIES a strong bond.

Subject: Signifies Milestone Achievement

I am thrilled to share that our recent accomplishment SIGNIFIES a significant milestone for the team. Please find the details attached.

• Formal Variation: The decision SIGNIFIES a strategic shift in our approach.
• Informal Variation: Your support SIGNIFIES a lot to me.

“Signifies” adds gravitas to your descriptions, making it suitable for both formal announcements and personal expressions of importance.

11. Exhibits: Showcasing for Inspection

“Exhibits” is a verb indicating the action of displaying or presenting something for observation or inspection.

In formal contexts, “exhibits” is potent for showcasing achievements or qualities. Informally, it adds flair to expressing personal accomplishments.

Formal: The museum EXHIBITS artifacts from ancient civilizations.

Informal: He always EXHIBITS a positive attitude, no matter the circumstance.

Subject: Exhibits Exceptional Skills

I am pleased to inform you that [Name] consistently EXHIBITS exceptional skills in project management. Please find the details attached.

• Formal Variation: The gallery EXHIBITS a diverse collection of contemporary art.
• Informal Variation: His personality EXHIBITS warmth and kindness.

“Exhibits” emphasizes visibility and impact, making it suitable for professional and personal contexts, especially when showcasing accomplishments.

12. Indicates: Pointing Towards Understanding

“Indicates” is a verb indicating the action of pointing out or showing a particular direction, meaning, or result.

In formal writing, “indicates” is crucial for pointing towards insights or findings. Informally, it adds a touch of direction to casual conversations.

Formal: The compass INDICATES the way to the north.

Informal: His expression INDICATES genuine interest in the topic.

Subject: Indicates Project Progress

The attached report INDICATES significant progress in our ongoing project. Your thoughts on this matter would be valuable.

• Formal Variation: The data INDICATES a positive trend in customer satisfaction.
• Informal Variation: Your gesture INDICATES a caring attitude.

“Indicates” adds precision to your descriptions, making it suitable for both formal reports and casual expressions of direction.

Q: How can I seamlessly incorporate these alternatives into my essay? A: Integrate these alternatives based on the context of your writing. Experiment with each to discover which resonates best with your style.

Q: Is it necessary to use all 12 alternatives in one essay? A: No, select alternatives based on relevance and variety. Using a mix adds depth to your writing without overwhelming the reader.

Q: Can these alternatives be applied to any type of essay? A: Absolutely! Whether it’s a persuasive piece or an informative essay, these alternatives enhance expression in various contexts.

Q: Why is expressive writing important in essays? A: Expressive writing captivates readers, making your essay memorable. It adds a personal touch, fostering a connection between the writer and the audience.

Q: Are these alternatives suitable for academic essays? A: Yes, these alternatives elevate the quality of academic writing, making your essays more engaging and impactful.

Q: How do I avoid overusing these alternatives in my essay? A: Use a mix of alternatives and vary your language to maintain a natural flow. Overusing any term can diminish its impact.

Mastering alternative expressions for “This Shows” is a transformative step in refining your essay-writing skills. The nuances offered by these alternatives open new avenues for expression, ensuring your essays stand out with clarity and impact.

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Words to Use in an Essay: 300 Essay Words

Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.

It’s not easy to write an academic essay .

Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.

To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.

If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.

The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.

You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.

That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.

Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.

When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:

To use the words of X

According to X

As X states

Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”

Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.

If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:

In this essay, I will…

The purpose of this essay…

This essay discusses…

In this paper, I put forward the claim that…

There are three main arguments for…

Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.

After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.

When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:

First and foremost

First of all

To begin with

Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.

All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.

The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.

It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.

Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.

It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.

Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.

The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:

Additionally

In addition

Furthermore

Another key thing to remember

In the same way

Correspondingly

Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.

Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:

In other words

To put it another way

That is to say

To put it more simply

Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”

Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:

For instance

To give an illustration of

To exemplify

To demonstrate

As evidence

Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.

Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.

When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:

As a result

Accordingly

As you can see

This suggests that

It follows that

It can be seen that

For this reason

For all of those reasons

Consequently

Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”

When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:

What’s more

Not only…but also

Not to mention

To say nothing of

Another key point

Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.

Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:

On the one hand / on the other hand

Alternatively

In contrast to

On the contrary

By contrast

In comparison

Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.

Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:

Having said that

Differing from

In spite of

With this in mind

Provided that

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Notwithstanding

Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.

Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.

Strong Verbs for Academic Writing

Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.

You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.

For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.

Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.

Verbs that show change:

Accommodate

Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:

Verbs that show increase:

Verbs that show decrease:

Deteriorate

Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:

Comprises of

Is composed of

Constitutes

Encompasses

Incorporates

Verbs that show a negative stance:

Misconstrue

Verbs that show a positive stance:

Substantiate

Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:

Corroborate

Demonstrate

Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:

Contemplate

Hypothesize

Investigate

Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:

Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays

You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.

However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.

Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:

Significant

Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:

Controversial

Insignificant

Questionable

Unnecessary

Unrealistic

Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:

Comprehensively

Exhaustively

Extensively

Respectively

Surprisingly

Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.

The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.

In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:

In conclusion

To summarize

In a nutshell

Given the above

As described

All things considered

Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.

In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.

To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:

Unquestionably

Undoubtedly

Particularly

Importantly

Conclusively

It should be noted

On the whole

Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.

These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.

There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.

If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.

So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?

The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.

One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.

Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.

You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.

Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.

Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.

There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!

Good writing = better grades

ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument . Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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Other Words for “This Shows” – This Shows Synonyms

When you use the phrase, “this shows,” you are making a demonstration for proof or evidence of something. There are many ways to say this phrase, which helps to reduce redundancy in writing or speaking English. Some of the most common are “illustrates,” “demonstrates” and “proves,” among a host of others.

Opting to apply synonym phrases for “this shows” will convey nuance and refinement with a command of language. In some cases, you may end up using the wrong synonym when you mean to intend “this shows.”

The Meaning; Grammar of “This Shows”

“This shows” combines the demonstrative pronoun “this” with the present tense conjugation of the verb, “to show.” You use it in situations where you are providing proof or evidence as a result of something. Consider the examples below to understand the use of “this shows” in greater detail.

If Janet is over at Mary’s, then this shows she never went to the bank.

This shows you registered to vote, complete with your ID and address.

Other Synonym Phrases

While “this shows” is a solid and succinct way to indicate proof or evidence of something, there are other means by which to convey the same thing. What you are going to change is the verb “shows” with one of the following words:

• Authenticates
• Demonstrates
• Establishes
• Illustrates
• Testifies to

Examples of Synonym Phrases

While all of these are acceptable synonyms for “this shows,” not all of them will be appropriate in every circumstance or situation. For instance, in the “awkward” synonym exchange below, “testifies to” and “expose” don’t quite characterize the sentiment of the statements.

• Original: If Janet is over at Mary’s, then this shows she never went to the bank.
• Awkward: If Janet is over at Mary’s, then this testifies to she never went to the bank.
• Acceptable: If Janet is over at Mary’s, then this proves she never went to the bank.
• Original: This shows you registered to vote, complete with ID and address.
• Awkward: This exposes you registered to vote, complete with ID and address.
• Acceptable: This validates you registered to vote, complete with ID and address.

As you can see, there are many different ways to say “this shows.” But, you want to be careful with which verb you use, otherwise, it may sound awkward or strange.

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Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Change will not be effected, say some others, unless individual actions raise the necessary awareness.

While a reader can see the connection between the sentences above, it’s not immediately clear that the second sentence is providing a counterargument to the first. In the example below, key “old information” is repeated in the second sentence to help readers quickly see the connection. This makes the sequence of ideas easier to follow.  

Sentence pair #2: Effective Transition

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change.

You can use this same technique to create clear transitions between paragraphs. Here’s an example:

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change. According to Annie Lowery, individual actions are important to making social change because when individuals take action, they can change values, which can lead to more people becoming invested in fighting climate change. She writes, “Researchers believe that these kinds of household-led trends can help avert climate catastrophe, even if government and corporate actions are far more important” (Lowery).

So, what’s an individual household supposed to do?

The repetition of the word “household” in the new paragraph helps readers see the connection between what has come before (a discussion of whether household actions matter) and what is about to come (a proposal for what types of actions households can take to combat climate change).

Sometimes, transitional words can help readers see how ideas are connected. But it’s not enough to just include a “therefore,” “moreover,” “also,” or “in addition.” You should choose these words carefully to show your readers what kind of connection you are making between your ideas.

To decide which transitional word to use, start by identifying the relationship between your ideas. For example, you might be

• making a comparison or showing a contrast Transitional words that compare and contrast include also, in the same way, similarly, in contrast, yet, on the one hand, on the other hand. But before you signal comparison, ask these questions: Do your readers need another example of the same thing? Is there a new nuance in this next point that distinguishes it from the previous example? For those relationships between ideas, you might try this type of transition: While x may appear the same, it actually raises a new question in a slightly different way. 
• expressing agreement or disagreement When you are making an argument, you need to signal to readers where you stand in relation to other scholars and critics. You may agree with another person’s claim, you may want to concede some part of the argument even if you don’t agree with everything, or you may disagree. Transitional words that signal agreement, concession, and disagreement include however, nevertheless, actually, still, despite, admittedly, still, on the contrary, nonetheless .
• showing cause and effect Transitional phrases that show cause and effect include therefore, hence, consequently, thus, so. Before you choose one of these words, make sure that what you are about to illustrate is really a causal link. Novice writers tend to add therefore and hence when they aren’t sure how to transition; you should reserve these words for when they accurately signal the progression of your ideas.
• explaining or elaborating Transitions can signal to readers that you are going to expand on a point that you have just made or explain something further. Transitional words that signal explanation or elaboration include in other words, for example, for instance, in particular, that is, to illustrate, moreover .
• drawing conclusions You can use transitions to signal to readers that you are moving from the body of your argument to your conclusions. Before you use transitional words to signal conclusions, consider whether you can write a stronger conclusion by creating a transition that shows the relationship between your ideas rather than by flagging the paragraph simply as a conclusion. Transitional words that signal a conclusion include in conclusion , as a result, ultimately, overall— but strong conclusions do not necessarily have to include those phrases.

If you’re not sure which transitional words to use—or whether to use one at all—see if you can explain the connection between your paragraphs or sentence either out loud or in the margins of your draft.

For example, if you write a paragraph in which you summarize physician Atul Gawande’s argument about the value of incremental care, and then you move on to a paragraph that challenges those ideas, you might write down something like this next to the first paragraph: “In this paragraph I summarize Gawande’s main claim.” Then, next to the second paragraph, you might write, “In this paragraph I present a challenge to Gawande’s main claim.” Now that you have identified the relationship between those two paragraphs, you can choose the most effective transition between them. Since the second paragraph in this example challenges the ideas in the first, you might begin with something like “but,” or “however,” to signal that shift for your readers.  

• picture_as_pdf Transitions

50 Useful Academic Words & Phrases for Research

Like all good writing, writing an academic paper takes a certain level of skill to express your ideas and arguments in a way that is natural and that meets a level of academic sophistication. The terms, expressions, and phrases you use in your research paper must be of an appropriate level to be submitted to academic journals.

Therefore, authors need to know which verbs , nouns , and phrases to apply to create a paper that is not only easy to understand, but which conveys an understanding of academic conventions. Using the correct terminology and usage shows journal editors and fellow researchers that you are a competent writer and thinker, while using non-academic language might make them question your writing ability, as well as your critical reasoning skills.

What are academic words and phrases?

One way to understand what constitutes good academic writing is to read a lot of published research to find patterns of usage in different contexts. However, it may take an author countless hours of reading and might not be the most helpful advice when faced with an upcoming deadline on a manuscript draft.

Briefly, “academic” language includes terms, phrases, expressions, transitions, and sometimes symbols and abbreviations that help the pieces of an academic text fit together. When writing an academic text–whether it is a book report, annotated bibliography, research paper, research poster, lab report, research proposal, thesis, or manuscript for publication–authors must follow academic writing conventions. You can often find handy academic writing tips and guidelines by consulting the style manual of the text you are writing (i.e., APA Style , MLA Style , or Chicago Style ).

However, sometimes it can be helpful to have a list of academic words and expressions like the ones in this article to use as a “cheat sheet” for substituting the better term in a given context.

How to Choose the Best Academic Terms

You can think of writing “academically” as writing in a way that conveys one’s meaning effectively but concisely. For instance, while the term “take a look at” is a perfectly fine way to express an action in everyday English, a term like “analyze” would certainly be more suitable in most academic contexts. It takes up fewer words on the page and is used much more often in published academic papers.

You can use one handy guideline when choosing the most academic term: When faced with a choice between two different terms, use the Latinate version of the term. Here is a brief list of common verbs versus their academic counterparts:

Although this can be a useful tip to help academic authors, it can be difficult to memorize dozens of Latinate verbs. Using an AI paraphrasing tool or proofreading tool can help you instantly find more appropriate academic terms, so consider using such revision tools while you draft to improve your writing.

Top 50 Words and Phrases for Different Sections in a Research Paper

The “Latinate verb rule” is just one tool in your arsenal of academic writing, and there are many more out there. But to make the process of finding academic language a bit easier for you, we have compiled a list of 50 vital academic words and phrases, divided into specific categories and use cases, each with an explanation and contextual example.

Best Words and Phrases to use in an Introduction section

1. historically.

An adverb used to indicate a time perspective, especially when describing the background of a given topic.

2. In recent years

A temporal marker emphasizing recent developments, often used at the very beginning of your Introduction section.

3. It is widely acknowledged that

A “form phrase” indicating a broad consensus among researchers and/or the general public. Often used in the literature review section to build upon a foundation of established scientific knowledge.

4. There has been growing interest in

Highlights increasing attention to a topic and tells the reader why your study might be important to this field of research.

5. Preliminary observations indicate

Shares early insights or findings while hedging on making any definitive conclusions. Modal verbs like may , might , and could are often used with this expression.

6. This study aims to

Describes the goal of the research and is a form phrase very often used in the research objective or even the hypothesis of a research paper .

7. Despite its significance

Highlights the importance of a matter that might be overlooked. It is also frequently used in the rationale of the study section to show how your study’s aim and scope build on previous studies.

8. While numerous studies have focused on

Indicates the existing body of work on a topic while pointing to the shortcomings of certain aspects of that research. Helps focus the reader on the question, “What is missing from our knowledge of this topic?” This is often used alongside the statement of the problem in research papers.

9. The purpose of this research is

A form phrase that directly states the aim of the study.

10. The question arises (about/whether)

Poses a query or research problem statement for the reader to acknowledge.

Best Words and Phrases for Clarifying Information

11. in other words.

Introduces a synopsis or the rephrasing of a statement for clarity. This is often used in the Discussion section statement to explain the implications of the study .

12. That is to say

Provides clarification, similar to “in other words.”

13. To put it simply

Simplifies a complex idea, often for a more general readership.

14. To clarify

Specifically indicates to the reader a direct elaboration of a previous point.

15. More specifically

Narrows down a general statement from a broader one. Often used in the Discussion section to clarify the meaning of a specific result.

16. To elaborate

Expands on a point made previously.

17. In detail

Indicates a deeper dive into information.

Points out specifics. Similar meaning to “specifically” or “especially.”

19. This means that

Explains implications and/or interprets the meaning of the Results section .

20. Moreover

Expands a prior point to a broader one that shows the greater context or wider argument.

Best Words and Phrases for Giving Examples

21. for instance.

Provides a specific case that fits into the point being made.

22. As an illustration

Demonstrates a point in full or in part.

23. To illustrate

Shows a clear picture of the point being made.

24. For example

Presents a particular instance. Same meaning as “for instance.”

25. Such as

Lists specifics that comprise a broader category or assertion being made.

26. Including

Offers examples as part of a larger list.

27. Notably

Adverb highlighting an important example. Similar meaning to “especially.”

28. Especially

Adverb that emphasizes a significant instance.

29. In particular

Draws attention to a specific point.

30. To name a few

Indicates examples than previously mentioned are about to be named.

Best Words and Phrases for Comparing and Contrasting

31. however.

Introduces a contrasting idea.

32. On the other hand

Highlights an alternative view or fact.

33. Conversely

Indicates an opposing or reversed idea to the one just mentioned.

34. Similarly

Shows likeness or parallels between two ideas, objects, or situations.

35. Likewise

Indicates agreement with a previous point.

36. In contrast

Draws a distinction between two points.

37. Nevertheless

Introduces a contrasting point, despite what has been said.

38. Whereas

Compares two distinct entities or ideas.

Indicates a contrast between two points.

Signals an unexpected contrast.

Best Words and Phrases to use in a Conclusion section

41. in conclusion.

Signifies the beginning of the closing argument.

42. To sum up

Offers a brief summary.

43. In summary

Signals a concise recap.

44. Ultimately

Reflects the final or main point.

45. Overall

Gives a general concluding statement.

Indicates a resulting conclusion.

Demonstrates a logical conclusion.

48. Therefore

Connects a cause and its effect.

49. It can be concluded that

Clearly states a conclusion derived from the data.

50. Taking everything into consideration

Reflects on all the discussed points before concluding.

Edit Your Research Terms and Phrases Before Submission

Using these phrases in the proper places in your research papers can enhance the clarity, flow, and persuasiveness of your writing, especially in the Introduction section and Discussion section, which together make up the majority of your paper’s text in most academic domains.

However, it's vital to ensure each phrase is contextually appropriate to avoid redundancy or misinterpretation. As mentioned at the top of this article, the best way to do this is to 1) use an AI text editor , free AI paraphrasing tool or AI proofreading tool while you draft to enhance your writing, and 2) consult a professional proofreading service like Wordvice, which has human editors well versed in the terminology and conventions of the specific subject area of your academic documents.

For more detailed information on using AI tools to write a research paper and the best AI tools for research , check out the Wordvice AI Blog .

KathySteinemann.com: Free Resources for Writers and Poets

Word lists, cheat sheets, and sometimes irreverent reviews of writing rules. kathy steinemann is the author of the writer's lexicon series..

60+ Ways to Replace “That”: A Word List for Writers

This post continues my series about the most repeated words in writing. Today’s culprit is that .

If that is a word that plagues your WIP, I’m here to tell you that there are methods that you can use to cure that plague.

The That vs. Which Controversy

One way to trim a few occurrences is to replace that with which .

You may have encountered the following guideline: If a clause is restrictive (vital), use that ; if it’s non-restrictive (optional), use which followed by a comma.

The parcels that are marked “Fragile” go into the third bin.

Not just any parcels go into the third bin, but the fragile parcels. Without the underlined portion, the sentence would refer to all parcels — a considerable change in meaning.

The parcels, which were received this morning , go into the third bin.

All the parcels go into the third bin. The underlined portion provides optional information about the parcels, but if it’s left out, it doesn’t change the fundamental meaning.

Vi T al: T hat

O pt I onal: [c O mma] wh I ch

Writers from Great Britain might dispute this. However, keep it in mind if you’re a UK writer with a global audience.

Another Controversy: That vs. Who

Although some sources disagree, it’s recommended that writers select who when referring to

• other sentient beings (such as AIs in science fiction, Ents in The Lord of the Rings , or talking animals in fantasy fiction)

How many occurrences of that could you remove from your WIP if you were to adopt this approach?

The woman that who thought of this is a genius.

The alien that who piloted the third ship in the fleet turned purple when the star exploded.

The emergency medical hologram that who served on USS Voyager sometimes saved the crew from disaster.

The dog that who won the race was my dog, Swifty. I never doubted him for a second.

See also: “That” or “Who”? Which Word Is Correct?

Some Verbs May Not Require That

You can often remove that after these bridge verbs and their relatives.

A to W assume, believe, claim, comment, decide, declare, establish, feel, figure, hear, hope, imagine, insist, know, posit, remark, report, respond, say, suggest, suppose, think, understand, write

Read the sentences below out loud, with and without that . Does deletion make an appreciable difference?

He believed that he could write the book in a month.

The patient claimed that he was no longer ill.

I figured that it was the best way to proceed.

The shoppers heard that there was a sale.

I imagine that the parcel will arrive on Saturday.

He insisted that he was fit to drive, even though I saw a dozen empty beer cans in the back seat.

The tech knew that nobody would understand the complex algorithm but tried to explain it anyway.

He said that nobody showed up.

I suggest that you go to bed before your father gets home!

I suppose that you expect a surprise party.

He thinks that he can string her along even though he’s dating three other women.

I understand that you’re upset, but let me explain why I did it.

Sometimes rewording is the best approach.

he was unaware of the fact that he didn’t know about

I wonder why that is. Why?

in spite of the fact that although, even if, even though

owing to the fact that because, since

Why did she try to keep something like that from her doctor? Why did she try to keep such a thing from her doctor?

It was that that made the difference. [A specific incident] made the difference.

It’s something that we should all do. We should all [provide details].

The cake wasn’t that bad. The cake wasn’t so bad.

That was the last straw. [A specific incident] was the last straw.

On that matter, he refuses to compromise. On [specific issue], he refuses to compromise.

She insisted that she should pay the tab. She insisted on paying the tab.

If that ’s all you have to say, we can get to the point. If you’re finished babbling, we can get to the point.

After that , everyone smiled and clapped. After [specific incident], everyone smiled and clapped. Afterward, everyone smiled and clapped.

Following that , he broke the vase. Following [specific incident], he broke the vase. [Next, then] he broke the vase.

Nouns or Pronouns + That

On your search-and-destroy mission, scrutinize sentences like the following. Does deletion of that change the meaning?

The rumor that the virus is no more deadly than the flu has been disproved.

The wonder that the woman displayed was contagious. Everyone fell to their knees .

My doctor told me that I have to self-isolate for another week.

There’s no doubt that the polar icecaps are melting at an unprecedented rate.

This isn’t the coat that I wore last week.

This is the package that he’s been expecting.

The book that I just published is a romantic comedy.

Adjectives + That

These senteces demonstrate how you can often remove that after adjectives.

It’s obvious that he’s lying.

I’m disappointed that she didn’t show up.

It’s tragic that the parachute didn’t open.

It’s unfortunate that he rejected the evidence.

She was afraid that the medication wouldn’t work.

The stew was so salty that no one would eat it.

His report card was so good that his parents gave him a computer.

Clichés, Idioms, and Trite Phrases

Stale expressions sometimes creep into writing. One here, another there … and soon they overtake a page or chapter. Although they may function well in dialogue, consider rewording when appropriate.

All that glitters is not gold: Appearances may be misleading. Don’t trust everything you see

at that point in time: next, subsequently, then

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt: Ditto. Likewise. Me too.

Can’t say that I have: No, I haven’t. I’ve never [specific incident].

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth ? Do you have to be so vulgar? Why are you so crude?

for all that: however, nevertheless, nonetheless, still

I’ll drink to that: Agreed. Certainly. Definitely. Indeed. Of course.

in the event that: every time, if, whenever

Is that a fact? Is that so? Are you sure? Really?

living proof that: confirmation of, corroboration of, verification of

Sorry to hear that: I sympathize. I regret what happened.

that said, having said that: even so, however, nevertheless

That’s a fact: Beyond doubt. Clearly. It’s true. Literally.

That’s a likely story: You’re lying. I don’t believe you.

That’s easy for you to say: [Specific incident] is difficult for me.

That’s fine by me: All right. I agree. OK. Sure.

That goes without saying: Certainly. Obviously. Of course.  Undoubtedly.

That’s news to me: I didn’t know; I had no idea

That’s that! I’m done. [Specific noun or pronoun] is finished. [Specific proper noun or pronoun]’s word is final

the straw that broke the camel’s back: the breaking point, the last straw, the final indignity, the limit

To bite the hand that feeds you: criticize, disparage rebuff, reject, turn against [an ally, a benefactor, a Good Samaritan, a patron, a provider]

with a face that would stop a clock: hideous, repulsive, revolting, ugly

When in Doubt

Read your work out loud. If omitting that sounds awkward, leave it in or reword your sentence.

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22 thoughts on “ 60+ Ways to Replace “That”: A Word List for Writers ”

I am reminded that English is a flawed language every time i am forced to use “that that” in a sentence. All the good faith that i had had had had no effect on the outcome of that sentence.

“I’m sorry” and “I apologize” mean the same thing, except when you’re at a funeral. See also: “Have a nice day” and “Enjoy the next 24 hours” don’t mean the same thing.

I had to look up the difference between “nobody” and “no one”. While it feels like there should be a difference, they appear to be synonyms.

Some days I think there’s an imp who invents new ways to make English funnier, more difficult, and even more exasperating. 😉

I found this information very informative and useful for my writing. Could you do one like this for wasn’t, couldn’t and other words like that

Thanks, Brixton.

How about this one? https://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/negativity/

Great help! Thank you, Kathy.

My pleasure, Marina. Thanks for stopping by!

Great explanations with great examples. 🙂

Thanks, Debby!

Thanks, Kathy. Always great information.

Glad to do it, Frank. Thanks for stopping by again.

This makes me so happy. 🙂 As a home school mom, I tell my kiddos to search for “that” in their paper & see if it can be eliminated. You gave some excellent suggestions here. Now I need to put it to use in my manuscript. 😉

Good luck with the kiddos, Barb. I’m glad that I was able to help. 😉

“That” gives me the most headaches when writing so this was enormously helpful.

Thanks, Michael. I’m glad you found it useful.

I use ‘that’ a lot – my brain is lazy when writing, and reaches for the easiest way to say something.

You wouldn’t want to read this version.

Rigorous self-editing – after Autocrit presents me with the tally of that and that’s and I blanch – and we’re back to something palatable.

A lot of your examples also shorten and tighten the sentences – useful and good.

Note: the dash is sometimes useful for ‘that.’

Thanks, Alicia. An em dash instead of that? I could see it work in some sentences, although I try to eliminate as many em dashes as possible. They cause unexpected formatting issues.

I wish I discovered your series earlier. Until recently, I would have written that sentence as “I wish that I discovered your series earlier.” Thanks for the concrete examples. You’ve simplified the “that” and “which” dilemma for me too.

Thanks, Pete. I’m so glad I was able to help!

‘That’ is an insidious little word that creeps unnoticed into our writing. (See, there’s one there that just crept in. Oh! And another!)

Heh heh. Ain’t that the truth!

This was my most over used word in my first book – 565 times in an 85K manuscript! The editing was excruciating! LOL!

That sounds like that would have been a monumental task that would have taken a long time to fix. 🙂

Synonyms of show

• as in to display
• as in to reveal
• as in to prove
• as in to guide
• as in to steer
• as in to appear
• as in display
• as in appearance
• as in exhibit
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Thesaurus Definition of show

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• talk (about)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• demonstrate
• communicate
• misrepresent
• gloss (over)
• counterfeit
• substantiate
• authenticate
• corroborate
• walk through
• superintend
• indoctrinate
• materialize
• spring (up)
• rematerialize
• melt (away)

Thesaurus Definition of show  (Entry 2 of 2)

• demonstration
• affectation
• performance
• impersonation
• dissimulation
• double cross
• dissembling
• double - dealing
• faithlessness
• unfaithfulness
• straightforwardness
• outspokenness
• forthrightness
• plainspokenness
• genuineness
• artlessness
• openheartedness
• first blush
• implication
• resemblance
• representation
• insinuation
• make - believe
• make - belief
• Potemkin village
• presentation
• extravaganza
• presentment

Synonym Chooser

How is the word show different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of show are display , exhibit , expose , flaunt , and parade . While all these words mean "to present so as to invite notice or attention," show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

When is it sensible to use display instead of show ?

The synonyms display and show are sometimes interchangeable, but display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

When would exhibit be a good substitute for show ?

The meanings of exhibit and show largely overlap; however, exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

When might expose be a better fit than show ?

The words expose and show can be used in similar contexts, but expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

When can flaunt be used instead of show ?

While the synonyms flaunt and show are close in meaning, flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

Where would parade be a reasonable alternative to show ?

Although the words parade and show have much in common, parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

Phrases Containing show

• make a show
• show (someone) the door

Articles Related to show

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7 Words and Phrases Inspired by the Theater

Language that lives on after the curtain comes down.

Thesaurus Entries Near show

shoving (off)

Cite this Entry

“Show.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/show. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on show

Nglish: Translation of show for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of show for Arabic Speakers

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