You’re staring at the screen. The cursor is blinking, almost mockingly, at the end of a sentence where you’ve just written "this shows" for the fourth time in two paragraphs. It feels clunky. It feels repetitive. Honestly, it feels a bit like high school essay filler. We’ve all been there.
The problem isn't that the phrase is grammatically wrong. It’s just... tired. When you're trying to prove a point or connect a piece of evidence to an argument, your brain defaults to the easiest path. But "this shows" is a weak bridge. It’s the linguistic equivalent of pointing a finger and saying "look." If you want your writing to actually land, you need a sturdier structure. You need a better another word for this shows that fits the specific vibe of what you’re trying to say.
Why Your Brain Loops on This Shows
Repetition happens because our brains love efficiency. When you find a phrase that works once, your neural pathways treat it like a shortcut. Use it too much, and your reader starts to tune out. They stop seeing the evidence and start seeing the pattern of your struggle to transition.
Different contexts demand different "show" words. If you're writing a scientific paper, you want something objective. If you're writing a fiery op-ed, you want something evocative. A business report needs something authoritative. Using the same phrase for all three is like wearing flip-flops to a wedding, a construction site, and the gym. It just doesn't fit.
Elevating the Evidence: The Heavy Hitters
Sometimes you aren't just showing; you're proving. If your data is solid, "this shows" is an understatement. You want words that carry weight.
Demonstrates is the classic upgrade. It’s professional. It suggests a process of logic. When a study demonstrates a trend, it feels more rigorous than if it simply "shows" it.
Illustrates is better for visual or narrative examples. If you’re telling a story about a customer’s bad experience to prove a point about service, that story illustrates the problem. It paints a picture. It’s more descriptive. It invites the reader to see what you see.
Evidenced by flips the script entirely. Instead of saying "The data is up, and this shows growth," you say "The growth is evidenced by the recent data." It sounds more sophisticated. It shifts the focus to the result rather than the act of showing.
When You Want to Be Subtle
Not every point needs to be hammered home with a sledgehammer. Sometimes you’re making an observation, not a definitive claim.
- Suggests is great for when you’re being cautious. It leaves room for error.
- Indicates is a bit stronger but still clinical.
- Implies is for when the meaning is under the surface. It’s for the "read between the lines" moments.
Think about the difference between saying "The red sky shows it's hot" and "The red sky suggests a heatwave is coming." One is a blunt statement; the other feels like an expert observation. It changes the way the reader perceives your intelligence.
The Academic and Formal Shift
In formal writing, "this shows" can feel a bit "Step 1, Step 2." You want to sound like someone who has mastered the subject matter. This is where you bring out the big guns like corroborates or substantiates. These aren't just fancy synonyms; they have specific meanings. To corroborate is to support with further evidence. To substantiate is to provide the proof that makes a claim solid.
If you're writing for a journal or a high-level business proposal, use exemplifies. It suggests that what you're showing is the perfect example of a broader rule. It’s a power move.
Breaking the "This" Habit
One of the biggest issues isn't actually the word "shows"—it's the word "this." Starting a sentence with "This shows" is often a sign of "lazy reference." What is "this"? Is it the whole previous paragraph? The last sentence? The specific statistic you just cited?
Try replacing the entire phrase with a specific noun + a stronger verb.
Instead of: "The sales numbers dropped 10%. This shows we need a new plan."
Try: "This decline underscores the urgent need for a strategic pivot."
See what happened there? "Underscores" is a fantastic another word for this shows. It adds emphasis. It feels urgent. It sounds like you know exactly what you’re talking about.
Words to Use When the Proof is Irrefutable
If the evidence is so clear that there's no room for debate, don't be shy.
Establishes is a strong choice. It means the debate is over. The fact is now a foundation.
Confirms works when you’re backing up a previous theory.
Validates is perfect for when the data proves someone's feelings or a specific hypothesis was right all along.
If you’re feeling particularly bold, try manifests. It’s a bit more "artsy," often used in psychology or social sciences. It suggests that an internal state is becoming visible. "The tension in the room manifested in a series of sharp interruptions." It’s much more evocative than "The tension showed people were mad."
The Contextual Cheat Sheet (Prose Edition)
If you are looking for a quick swap, think about the intent of your sentence.
If you are explaining a cause and effect, try highlights or points to. For example, "The sudden spike in traffic points to a successful social media campaign." It creates a literal direction for the reader's mind to follow.
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If you are revealing something hidden, use unveils or discloses. These words have a bit of drama to them. They make the reader feel like they are getting an inside look.
If you are making something clear that was confusing, go with clarifies or elucidates. Elucidate is a bit of a "ten-dollar word," so use it sparingly, but it’s perfect for technical explanations.
Avoiding the "Thesaurus Trap"
A word of warning: don't just pick the longest word you find. Using "exhibits" when "shows" would do just fine can make you sound like you’re trying too hard.
Good writing isn't about using the biggest words; it's about using the right words. "This shows" isn't an enemy to be destroyed; it's a tool that is sometimes overused. The goal is variety. You want a rhythm to your prose. A short sentence with a simple verb followed by a complex sentence with a precise verb—that’s how you keep people reading.
Actionable Steps for Better Transitions
To actually improve your writing today, don't just memorize a list. Change your editing process.
- Search and Destroy: Use the "Find" function (Ctrl+F) in your document to search for "shows." See how many times it pops up. If it's more than once every two pages, you've got work to do.
- Identify the Intent: For every instance you find, ask: "Am I proving, suggesting, or explaining?"
- The "Noun" Test: Try to replace "This" with a specific noun. Instead of "This shows," try "The data highlights" or "The testimony confirms."
- Read Out Loud: Your ears are better at catching repetitive patterns than your eyes. If you stumble over a transition, it’s probably because it’s clunky.
- Vary Sentence Length: If you use a strong verb like "corroborates," keep the rest of the sentence lean. Don't let the word get lost in a forest of adjectives.
By swapping out your standard "this shows" for something more precise, you aren't just changing a word. You are sharpening your argument. You are making it harder for people to disagree with you because your logic feels more intentional. Writing is essentially the art of directing a reader's attention. Choose the word that points exactly where you want them to look.