Professional academic writing benefits from diverse alternatives to the phrase "this shows." Strong options include "this illustrates," "this reveals," "this indicates," "this demonstrates," "this confirms," "this highlights," "this establishes," "this suggests," "this emphasizes," and "this validates." Each alternative serves a specific purpose in conveying relationships between ideas and strengthening argumentative structure. Understanding these variations and their appropriate contexts can greatly enhance the sophistication and effectiveness of scholarly writing.
Is It Professional to Use 'This Shows'?
While "this shows" is a common connecting phrase in academic writing, it is generally considered less sophisticated and professional than alternative expressions. The phrase can appear repetitive and elementary, often indicating a writer's limited vocabulary or inexperience with academic discourse. Professional academic writing requires more nuanced and varied linking phrases that demonstrate analytical thinking and scholarly sophistication.
Furthermore, using "this shows" repeatedly throughout an essay can weaken the overall argumentative structure and make the writing appear simplistic to academic readers. Instead, writers should employ more precise language that explicitly connects their evidence to their arguments. Academic institutions and professional publications typically expect writers to utilize more sophisticated linking phrases that better articulate the logical relationships between ideas and demonstrate higher-level analytical skills.
Why You Might Use a Different Word To 'This Shows'
Diversifying one's writing vocabulary serves multiple essential purposes in academic and professional contexts. Using alternatives to "this shows" can demonstrate a more sophisticated command of language, enhance readability, and prevent repetitive phrasing that may disengage readers. In addition, varying linking phrases helps writers maintain a more authoritative tone and establishes stronger connections between ideas.
Writers might choose different words to better match the specific relationship they're trying to convey between concepts. For instance, while "this shows" simply indicates a basic demonstration, phrases like "this illustrates" or "this reveals" can provide more precise meanings. Moreover, academic evaluators and professional readers often view varied vocabulary as an indicator of writing competence, making it advantageous to expand beyond basic linking phrases.
10 Synonyms for 'This Shows'
1. This Illustrates
Ideal for formal academic writing when presenting clear evidence or proof. Best used when showing a direct cause-and-effect relationship or when explaining experimental results. Works well in scientific papers and analytical essays where empirical evidence supports a claim.
Example use:
"This illustrates the correlation between sleep patterns and academic performance."
"This illustrates how environmental factors influence plant growth rates."
"This illustrates the effectiveness of the new treatment protocol."
2. This Illustrates
Perfect for explaining concepts through examples or when making abstract ideas more concrete. Especially useful in descriptive writing and when drawing parallels between concepts. Works well when presenting case studies or specific instances that support a broader point.
Example use:
"This illustrates the complexity of modern urban development."
"This illustrates how economic policies affect small businesses."
"This illustrates the relationship between diet and cardiovascular health."
3. This Reveals
Best suited for discussing discoveries, insights, or hidden meanings. Effective when presenting new information or unexpected findings. Particularly useful in literary analysis or research papers where deeper implications are being uncovered.
Example use:
"This reveals the author's underlying message about social inequality."
"This reveals a significant shift in consumer behavior patterns."
"This reveals the true impact of climate change on marine ecosystems."
4. This Indicates
Appropriate for suggesting conclusions or implications without making absolute statements. Useful in research papers when discussing preliminary findings or trends. Works well when presenting evidence that points toward a conclusion but doesn't definitively prove it.
Example use:
"This indicates a potential link between stress levels and immune response."
"This indicates an emerging trend in social media usage."
"This indicates the need for further research in this area."
5. This Confirms
Ideal for validating previously established theories or hypotheses. Best used when presenting evidence that supports existing research or expectations. Particularly effective in scientific writing when showing how new data supports existing knowledge.
Example use:
"This confirms earlier findings about the effects of meditation on stress levels."
"This confirms the theoretical framework proposed by Smith (2018)."
"This confirms our initial hypothesis about market behavior."
6. This Highlights
Perfect for emphasizing important points or drawing attention to specific aspects of an argument. Useful when you want to stress the significance of particular findings or observations. Effective in both academic and professional writing when establishing key takeaways.
Example use:
"This highlights the importance of early intervention in childhood development."
"This highlights the growing disparity between urban and rural healthcare access."
"This highlights the need for more sustainable business practices."
7. This Suggests
Suitable for making tentative conclusions or proposing possible interpretations. Best used when discussing implications that aren't definitively proven. Particularly useful in exploratory research or when discussing preliminary findings.
Example use:
"This suggests a possible connection between diet and mental health."
"This suggests that alternative approaches may be more effective."
"This suggests the need to reconsider traditional teaching methods."
8. This Evidences
Formal and authoritative, ideal for legal or academic writing when presenting proof. Best used when showing clear, factual support for an argument. Particularly effective in research papers or professional documents where definitive proof is required.
Example use:
"This evidences the direct impact of policy changes on market behavior."
"This evidences the relationship between exercise and longevity."
"This evidences the effectiveness of the new protocol."
9. This Underscores
Effective for emphasizing significant points or reinforcing important arguments. Useful when you want to stress the significance of evidence or findings. Works well in persuasive writing or when building a strong argumentative case.
Example use:
"This underscores the importance of biodiversity in ecosystem health."
"This underscores the critical role of education in social mobility."
"This underscores the need for immediate climate action."
10. This Establishes
Best for presenting definitive conclusions or fundamental principles. Useful when setting up foundational arguments or proving key points. Particularly effective in formal academic writing when establishing essential facts or relationships.
Example use:
"This establishes a clear link between advertising and consumer behavior."
"This establishes the validity of the experimental method."
"This establishes a new framework for understanding social interactions."
Final Thoughts
Mastery of connecting phrases enhances the sophistication and flow of academic writing. By incorporating varied connective phrases instead of relying on "this shows," writers can demonstrate their command of academic language while maintaining clarity in their arguments. These alternative expressions help establish logical connections between ideas, strengthen the analytical quality of essays, and prevent monotonous repetition throughout the text. Writers should select connectors that best fit their specific context and argument style, ensuring the chosen phrases accurately convey the intended relationship between ideas. Regular practice with these alternatives will help students develop a more refined writing style, leading to clearer and more engaging academic papers. Over time, the natural integration of diverse connective phrases becomes an invaluable skill for effective scholarly communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use 'This Shows' Multiple Times in the Same Paragraph?
Repeating "this shows" multiple times in one paragraph creates redundancy and weakens writing quality. Writers should vary their shifts and connecting phrases to maintain reader engagement and flow.
How Do I Choose the Most Appropriate Synonym for Academic Writing?
Selecting appropriate academic synonyms requires considering formality level, subject matter context, and precise meaning. Consulting academic writing guides and scholarly papers in the field helps identify suitable formal alternatives.
Should I Vary Synonyms Throughout My Essay or Stick to One?
Varying shift phrases adds sophistication to academic writing, but consistency is essential. Writers should choose 3-4 appropriate alternatives and use them purposefully throughout their essays to maintain clarity and flow.
Are These Synonyms Appropriate for All Types of Essay Formats?
Synonym choice should align with the essay's formality level. Academic papers require formal connections, while narrative or creative essays allow more casual alternatives for connecting ideas and evidence.
Can I Start a Paragraph With Phrases Like 'This Demonstrates'?
Starting a paragraph with "This demonstrates" is acceptable when properly connecting to previous content, though varying connecting phrases helps maintain reader engagement and improve writing flow.
