Other Words for ‘This Shows’ in an Essay: 50 Smart Alternatives for Academic Writing
When writing essays, especially in academic settings, it’s important to vary your vocabulary to maintain a polished and engaging tone. Phrases like “this shows” are common, but if used too often, they can weaken the sophistication of your writing. To improve clarity and style, this article offers 50 smart alternatives to “this shows,” organized by usage type—with sample sentences for each.
Whether you’re writing literary analysis, persuasive essays, or research reports, these alternatives will help you express your points with variety and precision.
1–10: Clear and Direct Alternatives
These are straightforward phrases that clearly link evidence to your point.
- This demonstrates – This demonstrates the author’s intent to criticize social norms.
- This illustrates – This illustrates the protagonist’s emotional isolation.
- This reveals – This reveals the tension hidden beneath their relationship.
- This indicates – This indicates a shift in the character’s development.
- This conveys – This conveys the overall tone of regret in the passage.
- This suggests – This suggests that the setting plays a symbolic role.
- This highlights – This highlights the urgency of the problem.
- This implies – This implies that the narrator is unreliable.
- This portrays – This portrays the character’s struggle with self-worth.
- This expresses – This expresses a sense of longing and loss.
11–20: Analytical & Interpretive Alternatives
These provide depth and are ideal for interpretation and inference in literary or critical essays.
- This suggests that – This suggests that guilt is at the heart of the conflict.
- This reflects – This reflects broader societal values.
- This affirms – This affirms the central argument of the text.
- This exemplifies – This exemplifies the theme of justice in the story.
- This reinforces – This reinforces the idea that truth is subjective.
- This validates – This validates the earlier point about isolation.
- This underscores – This underscores the emotional impact of the decision.
- This confirms – This confirms the reader’s suspicion about the ending.
- This interprets – This interprets the character’s silence as defiance.
- This defines – This defines the narrative’s structure and pace.
21–30: Formal and Academic Alternatives
Use these in research essays, analytical papers, and formal writing for a refined tone.
- Evidence of this is seen in – Evidence of this is seen in the recurring imagery.
- This can be interpreted as – This can be interpreted as an act of rebellion.
- This can be seen as – This can be seen as symbolic of renewal.
- This serves to – This serves to illustrate the cost of ambition.
- This supports the notion that – This supports the notion that tradition restricts progress.
- This substantiates – This substantiates the argument regarding inequality.
- This manifests – This manifests through the character’s internal conflict.
- This articulates – This articulates the author’s critique of modern culture.
- This contextualizes – This contextualizes the political unrest during the era.
- This exemplification shows – This exemplification shows the depth of symbolic language used.
31–40: Emphatic or Stylistic Alternatives
These options add rhetorical emphasis or literary style to your explanations.
- This dramatizes – This dramatizes the emotional climax of the scene.
- This echoes – This echoes earlier themes of betrayal and loyalty.
- This alludes to – This alludes to classical mythology and heroism.
- This magnifies – This magnifies the stakes of the character’s choices.
- This establishes – This establishes the foundation for the final resolution.
- This elevates – This elevates the narrative to a universal level.
- This dramatization underlines – This dramatization underlines the emotional toll of conflict.
- This exemplifies how – This exemplifies how fear controls behavior.
- This interpretation clarifies – This interpretation clarifies the significance of the final act.
- This connection illuminates – This connection illuminates a deeper message about identity.
41–50: Conceptual or Philosophical Alternatives
Use these when drawing conclusions, presenting abstract ideas, or engaging with theory.
- This encapsulates – This encapsulates the dilemma faced by the narrator.
- This frames – This frames the conflict as a moral one.
- This symbolizes – This symbolizes the decay of human connection.
- This allegorizes – This allegorizes the struggle between nature and man.
- This typifies – This typifies the genre’s exploration of alienation.
- This metaphor reflects – This metaphor reflects psychological depth.
- This synthesis reveals – This synthesis reveals a pattern of oppression.
- This perspective introduces – This perspective introduces a postmodern critique.
- This proposition supports – This proposition supports the broader hypothesis.
- This thematic element reveals – This thematic element reveals the text’s moral foundation.
When to Use These Alternatives
Use these alternatives whenever you’re analyzing a quote, connecting evidence to your thesis, or interpreting meaning. Varying your phrasing keeps your writing fluid and intellectually engaging. Choose based on tone, clarity, and the level of complexity required.
Quick Writing Tips
- Use simple alternatives like “illustrates” or “demonstrates” for clear explanations.
- Choose analytical phrases like “suggests,” “supports,” or “reveals” to develop interpretation.
- For advanced writing, try formal options like “substantiate,” “contextualize,” or “encapsulate.”
Final Thoughts
Good writing isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you say it. Replacing “this shows” with one of these 50 smart alternatives will make your essays more dynamic, insightful, and refined. Whether you’re a student or a lifelong learner, mastering academic transitions like these can elevate your arguments and earn you better marks or more engaged readers.
