Have you ever noticed yourself writing “this shows” over and over in an essay or report? It’s one of the most common phrases students, bloggers, and professionals rely on, but repeating it too often can make your writing feel repetitive and less engaging.
If you’re searching for other words for this shows, you’ve come to the right place. This guide explores more than just a simple synonym list—you’ll discover when to use each alternative, how they differ in meaning, and practical examples that make your writing clearer and more persuasive. Whether you’re writing an academic paper, business report, or blog post, these alternatives will help you express your ideas with greater precision.
Why Replace “This Shows”?
The phrase “this shows” is perfectly correct, but repetition weakens your writing.
Using a variety of expressions can:
- Improve readability
- Demonstrate a stronger vocabulary
- Make arguments more convincing
- Create a professional tone
- Keep readers engaged
For example:
Repeated:
This shows the company values innovation. This shows employees are motivated.
Improved:
This demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation. It also indicates that employees remain highly motivated.
The second version sounds smoother and more polished.
20 Other Words for This Shows
If you’re looking for 20 other words for this shows, here are some of the best alternatives, along with explanations and examples.
| Alternative | Best Used For | Example |
| Demonstrates | Academic writing | The data demonstrates a clear trend. |
| Indicates | Reports and research | The survey indicates customer satisfaction. |
| Reveals | Analysis | The results reveal significant improvements. |
| Suggests | Careful interpretation | The evidence suggests a possible link. |
| Illustrates | Explanations | This example illustrates the concept well. |
| Highlights | Important points | The graph highlights seasonal demand. |
| Confirms | Proven facts | The experiment confirms the hypothesis. |
| Establishes | Formal writing | The report establishes a strong connection. |
| Reflects | Opinions and behavior | The decision reflects company values. |
| Expresses | Literature analysis | The poem expresses deep emotion. |
| Depicts | Visual or literary analysis | The painting depicts rural life. |
| Represents | Symbolism | The flag represents national unity. |
| Signifies | Symbolic meaning | The color signifies hope. |
| Emphasizes | Main ideas | The author emphasizes education. |
| Supports | Arguments | The evidence supports the conclusion. |
| Validates | Research | Additional testing validates the findings. |
| Proves* | Mathematics or certainty | The results prove the theory. |
| Points to | Informal analysis | The evidence points to human error. |
| Makes clear | General writing | The report makes clear the need for change. |
| Underscores | Formal emphasis | The findings underscore the importance of safety. |
*Use “proves” carefully because many academic disciplines prefer “suggests” or “supports” unless something has been conclusively established.
Another Word for This Shows in Academic Writing
Students frequently need another word for this shows when writing essays or research papers.
The best choices include:
- Demonstrates
- Indicates
- Suggests
- Reveals
- Illustrates
- Highlights
- Supports
- Confirms
Example
Instead of:
This shows climate change is affecting wildlife.
Write:
The evidence demonstrates that climate change is affecting wildlife.
Or:
The findings indicate a measurable impact of climate change on wildlife populations.
These alternatives sound more scholarly and precise.
Another Way to Say This Shows in Business Writing
Professional writing benefits from concise and confident language.
Instead of “this shows,” consider using:
- Reflects
- Indicates
- Highlights
- Demonstrates
- Confirms
- Establishes
Example
Instead of:
This shows customers trust the brand.
Write:
Customer feedback reflects strong trust in the brand.
Or:
Survey results indicate high levels of customer confidence.
Synonyms for This Shows in Literature Analysis
When analyzing novels, poems, or plays, certain alternatives fit better than others.
Good choices include:
- Suggests
- Illustrates
- Reveals
- Depicts
- Expresses
- Symbolizes
- Represents
- Emphasizes
Example
Instead of:
This shows the character is lonely.
Write:
The dialogue reveals the character’s loneliness.
Or:
The imagery suggests emotional isolation.
This Shows Synonym Based on Context
Not every synonym works in every sentence.
Here’s a quick guide.
When Presenting Evidence
Use:
- Demonstrates
- Indicates
- Supports
- Confirms
When Explaining Ideas
Choose:
- Illustrates
- Highlights
- Makes clear
- Emphasizes
When Analyzing Literature
Use:
- Reveals
- Depicts
- Expresses
- Suggests
When Discussing Data
Choose:
- Indicates
- Reflects
- Establishes
- Confirms
Choosing the right alternative depends on what you’re trying to communicate.
Common Mistakes When Replacing “This Shows”
Replacing a phrase isn’t just about using a thesaurus. Context matters.
Using “Proves” Too Often
Many writers use “proves” when the evidence only suggests a possibility.
Weak:
The survey proves people like the product.
Better:
The survey suggests customers have a positive opinion of the product.
Choosing Overly Complex Words
Avoid replacing simple language with unnecessarily difficult vocabulary.
Instead of:
The data elucidates…
Use:
The data demonstrates…
Clear writing is usually stronger than complicated writing.
Ignoring Sentence Flow
Sometimes rewriting the sentence entirely is better than replacing one phrase.
Instead of:
This shows teamwork is important.
Try:
Teamwork plays a crucial role in achieving success.
Tips to Improve Your Writing Beyond Synonyms
Expanding your vocabulary is only one part of becoming a better writer.
Here are a few additional tips:
- Read academic articles and quality journalism.
- Keep a personal vocabulary notebook.
- Avoid repeating the same transition words.
- Read your work aloud to catch repetition.
- Rewrite repetitive sentences instead of swapping one word.
These habits naturally improve writing over time.
Examples Before and After
Essay Example
Before
This shows that pollution affects marine life.
After
The evidence demonstrates that pollution has a significant impact on marine life.
Business Example
Before
This shows customer satisfaction has improved.
After
Customer feedback indicates a noticeable improvement in satisfaction.
Literature Example
Before
This shows the character feels guilty.
After
The character’s actions reveal deep feelings of guilt.
Scientific Writing
Before
This shows the treatment works.
After
Clinical results support the effectiveness of the treatment.
Quick Reference List
Here is a handy list you can bookmark:
- Demonstrates
- Indicates
- Reveals
- Suggests
- Illustrates
- Highlights
- Supports
- Confirms
- Reflects
- Expresses
- Represents
- Depicts
- Signifies
- Establishes
- Emphasizes
- Validates
- Points to
- Makes clear
- Underscores
- Explains
Key Takeaways
- Replacing “this shows” makes your writing more engaging and professional.
- Different alternatives suit different contexts, such as academic, business, or creative writing.
- Always choose a synonym that accurately reflects the strength of your evidence.
- Avoid using overly complex words simply to sound more sophisticated.
- Improving sentence structure often has a greater impact than changing a single phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best other words for this shows?
Some of the strongest alternatives include demonstrates, indicates, reveals, suggests, illustrates, highlights, supports, and confirms. The best choice depends on your context and the strength of your evidence.
What is another word for this shows in an essay?
In academic essays, words like demonstrates, indicates, suggests, and illustrates are excellent replacements because they sound formal while maintaining clarity.
What is another way to say this shows in professional writing?
Business reports often use reflects, establishes, confirms, indicates, or highlights to communicate ideas in a concise and professional manner.
Are “shows” and “demonstrates” the same?
Not exactly. “Shows” is more general, while “demonstrates” often implies stronger evidence or proof. Choosing between them depends on how certain your conclusion is.
Can I use “proves” instead of “this shows”?
Only when your evidence is conclusive. In many academic and scientific contexts, words like suggests or supports are more accurate because they avoid overstating the findings.
Why should I avoid repeating “this shows”?
Repeated phrases can make writing feel monotonous. Using varied vocabulary and restructuring sentences improves readability, strengthens your arguments, and keeps readers engaged.
Conclusion
Finding other words for this shows is one of the simplest ways to improve your writing, whether you’re working on an essay, research paper, business report, or blog post. By choosing alternatives such as demonstrates, indicates, reveals, or illustrates, you can communicate ideas more precisely while avoiding unnecessary repetition.
Remember, strong writing isn’t about using the most complicated vocabulary—it’s about selecting the right words for the right situation. Keep this list of alternatives handy, practice using them in different contexts, and you’ll gradually develop a more polished, confident writing style that leaves a lasting impression on your readers.
