Finding the right way to express what “this shows” can make your words feel more personal, thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent. Whether you’re writing an email, an essay, or having a heartfelt conversation, choosing the right words helps you sound clear, warm, and confident. These alternatives to “this shows” can help you explain meaning, highlight importance, or share feelings in a more natural and human way. Let’s explore better ways to express yourself with empathy and impact.
What Does “This Shows” Mean?
The phrase “this shows” is often used to point out evidence, results, or meaning behind something. It’s a way to connect an observation with a conclusion — like saying, “This shows how much you care” or “This shows that effort pays off.” In both casual and formal communication, it bridges facts with emotions or insights, giving your words depth and clarity.
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “This Shows”?
Yes, “this shows” is both professional and polite, but sometimes it can sound too simple or repetitive, especially in formal writing. Using varied alternatives adds nuance, professionalism, and emotional warmth. Choosing different phrases also allows your message to better fit the tone of your audience, whether it’s academic, conversational, or heartfelt.
Synonyms For “This Shows”
- This demonstrates
- This indicates
- This suggests
- This reflects
- This reveals
- This highlights
- This proves
- This represents
- This clarifies
- This emphasizes
- This confirms
- This illustrates
- This signals
- This conveys
- This points to
- This brings out
- This underscores
- This depicts
- This expresses
- This sheds light on
1. This Demonstrates
Meaning: This phrase is often used in professional or academic writing to clearly explain evidence or proof of something.
Scenario: When discussing a project’s success or highlighting a pattern.
Examples:
- This demonstrates how dedication leads to great results.
- This demonstrates your commitment to learning and growth.
- This demonstrates the strength of your team’s collaboration.
- This demonstrates how small efforts make a big difference.
- This demonstrates that consistent work brings reliable outcomes.
Tone: Formal, confident, and respectful.
Detailed Explanation: Using “this demonstrates” gives your sentence a sense of authority and precision. It’s ideal when you want to sound thoughtful yet factual.
2. This Indicates
Meaning: Suggests evidence that points toward a possible conclusion or understanding.
Scenario: Perfect for when you’re drawing a conclusion from data or observation.
Examples:
- This indicates a strong interest in continuous improvement.
- This indicates that your strategy is working well.
- This indicates clear progress in your project’s development.
- This indicates a shift toward positive change and results.
- This indicates how effort and teamwork lead to success.
Tone: Professional, analytical, and clear.
Detailed Explanation: “This indicates” works beautifully in emails, reports, and thoughtful discussions where you’re explaining cause and effect gently.
3. This Suggests
Meaning: Used to imply or hint at a conclusion without stating it too directly.
Scenario: Great for when you want to sound diplomatic or reflective.
Examples:
- This suggests that your hard work is being recognized.
- This suggests real improvement in how things are progressing.
- This suggests a strong sense of purpose and direction.
- This suggests your idea is resonating with many people.
- This suggests there’s room for even greater success ahead.
Tone: Warm, thoughtful, and slightly indirect.
Detailed Explanation: Using “this suggests” softens your tone while still communicating insight, making it excellent for collaborative or caring conversations.
4. This Reflects
Meaning: Expresses that something mirrors or represents a quality, effort, or feeling.
Scenario: Perfect when appreciating someone’s attitude, behavior, or values.
Examples:
- This reflects your genuine dedication and care.
- This reflects the quality of your hard work and consistency.
- This reflects your growth and emotional intelligence.
- This reflects the success of your thoughtful approach.
- This reflects how much effort you’ve invested in every step.
Tone: Appreciative, personal, and insightful.
Detailed Explanation: “This reflects” adds a kind and human touch, making it ideal in thank-you notes or feedback messages.
5. This Reveals
Meaning: Shows something that was previously hidden or not clearly seen.
Scenario: When you discover or uncover something meaningful.
Examples:
- This reveals your true strength and resilience.
- This reveals how far you’ve come in your journey.
- This reveals what matters most to your team.
- This reveals the beauty behind your hard work.
- This reveals an important truth about your values.
Tone: Honest, emotional, and insightful.
Detailed Explanation: “This reveals” is powerful for moments of reflection or discovery, helping you express deeper meaning gracefully.
6. This Highlights
Meaning: To draw attention to something important or valuable.
Scenario: When emphasizing a point, achievement, or key insight.
Examples:
- This highlights the importance of teamwork and mutual respect.
- This highlights your strong attention to detail and care.
- This highlights how small efforts can lead to big changes.
- This highlights your consistency and reliability in every task.
- This highlights the progress made over the last few months.
Tone: Positive, encouraging, and focused.
Detailed Explanation: “This highlights” works beautifully when you want to show appreciation or emphasize value without sounding repetitive or overly formal. It’s especially effective in feedback or reports.
7. This Proves
Meaning: To confirm something with clear evidence or results.
Scenario: When discussing facts, outcomes, or performance.
Examples:
- This proves that your idea was both creative and effective.
- This proves your dedication to achieving the best results possible.
- This proves how thoughtful leadership can inspire success.
- This proves that patience and consistency always pay off.
- This proves that your vision was absolutely right from the start.
Tone: Assertive, confident, and validating.
Detailed Explanation: Using “this proves” adds certainty and conviction to your message. It’s ideal for demonstrating confidence in your results while maintaining professionalism.
8. This Represents
Meaning: To stand for or symbolize something deeper or larger.
Scenario: Great for describing symbols, actions, or outcomes that carry deeper meaning.
Examples:
- This represents your growth as a leader and communicator.
- This represents the team’s strength and shared vision.
- This represents the positive change we’ve all worked toward.
- This represents how much you’ve learned and evolved.
- This represents a meaningful step toward your larger goals.
Tone: Symbolic, warm, and appreciative.
Detailed Explanation: “This represents” is perfect when you want to show emotional or symbolic significance rather than just facts.
9. This Clarifies
Meaning: Makes something easier to understand or clears up confusion.
Scenario: Ideal when explaining complex information or simplifying a point.
Examples:
- This clarifies how your approach improves communication.
- This clarifies the purpose behind your recent decision.
- This clarifies how effort translates into consistent results.
- This clarifies why teamwork is essential for long-term success.
- This clarifies the main goal of our shared project.
Tone: Helpful, explanatory, and supportive.
Detailed Explanation: “This clarifies” is perfect for teachers, mentors, or professionals who want to make complex ideas sound friendly and understandable.
10. This Emphasizes
Meaning: To stress or strongly underline the importance of something.
Scenario: When you want to highlight or give weight to a certain message.
Examples:
- This emphasizes your dedication to personal and professional growth.
- This emphasizes how effort can turn small wins into great achievements.
- This emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership.
- This emphasizes your commitment to doing things the right way.
- This emphasizes that even challenges can lead to meaningful lessons.
Tone: Strong, respectful, and inspiring.
Detailed Explanation: “This emphasizes” adds emotional depth and clarity to your message, making your point memorable and sincere.
11. This Confirms
Meaning: To show that something is true, accurate, or verified.
Scenario: When discussing facts, outcomes, or validations.
Examples:
- This confirms your analysis was accurate and well-researched.
- This confirms that the plan is working exactly as intended.
- This confirms how effective your leadership style has been.
- This confirms the reliability of your thoughtful approach.
- This confirms that collaboration is truly our greatest strength.
Tone: Confident, professional, and respectful.
Detailed Explanation: “This confirms” gives your communication credibility. It’s perfect for reports, evaluations, or moments when you’re validating results.
12. This Illustrates
Meaning: To explain or make something clear through an example or comparison.
Scenario: Excellent for academic, storytelling, or coaching conversations.
Examples:
- This illustrates how patience can create long-term success.
- This illustrates the power of collaboration and communication.
- This illustrates your ability to think creatively under pressure.
- This illustrates the importance of trust in every strong relationship.
- This illustrates how meaningful effort leads to progress and growth.
Tone: Clear, instructive, and encouraging.
Detailed Explanation: “This illustrates” adds visual and emotional clarity to your message, helping others truly understand your perspective.
13. This Signals
Meaning: To suggest that something new or important is beginning or changing.
Scenario: Ideal for transitions, changes, or moments of growth.
Examples:
- This signals the start of a more confident and focused phase.
- This signals a clear step forward in your career or journey.
- This signals a shift toward stronger communication and trust.
- This signals that progress is happening steadily and effectively.
- This signals a positive change in how we approach challenges.
Tone: Forward-looking, motivating, and insightful.
Detailed Explanation: “This signals” gives your message a sense of progress and movement, which is great for motivational or developmental contexts.
14. This Conveys
Meaning: To communicate or express an emotion, idea, or message clearly.
Scenario: Great for emotional or expressive communication.
Examples:
- This conveys your genuine care and thoughtfulness beautifully.
- This conveys the deep meaning behind your thoughtful actions.
- This conveys how much your efforts truly matter to the team.
- This conveys honesty, kindness, and empathy in your approach.
- This conveys the positive energy you bring to every situation.
Tone: Emotional, kind, and expressive.
Detailed Explanation: “This conveys” helps you share feelings in a polished, gentle, and heartfelt way — perfect for personal notes or kind feedback.
15. This Points To
Meaning: To suggest or direct attention toward a specific reason or result.
Scenario: When connecting evidence to a conclusion.
Examples:
- This points to clear improvement in your performance and confidence.
- This points to the success of your consistent hard work.
- This points to an encouraging trend in recent results.
- This points to the team’s growing synergy and trust.
- This points to the effectiveness of your thoughtful planning.
Tone: Neutral, analytical, and positive.
Detailed Explanation: “This points to” fits well in professional or reflective writing, helping you make logical, calm, and reasoned observations.
16. This Brings Out
Meaning: To make a quality or feature visible or noticeable.
Scenario: When highlighting someone’s strength or positive trait.
Examples:
- This brings out your creativity and thoughtful nature.
- This brings out the best in everyone involved in the project.
- This brings out the depth of your compassion and understanding.
- This brings out your ability to stay calm under pressure.
- This brings out how teamwork can create incredible results.
Tone: Warm, supportive, and appreciative.
Detailed Explanation: “This brings out” is caring and genuine. It’s often used in praise, feedback, or emotionally intelligent communication.
17. This Underscores
Meaning: To strongly emphasize or draw attention to something important.
Scenario: When you want to stress a point or reinforce an idea.
Examples:
- This underscores the value of clear and honest communication.
- This underscores your dedication to achieving long-term goals.
- This underscores the importance of trust in any strong partnership.
- This underscores how focus leads to consistent improvement.
- This underscores the impact of thoughtful leadership and empathy.
Tone: Strong, thoughtful, and affirming.
Detailed Explanation: “This underscores” adds weight and authority, helping you emphasize something that truly matters.
18. This Depicts
Meaning: To describe or show something visually or clearly through words.
Scenario: Great for creative writing, reflections, or emotional discussions.
Examples:
- This depicts your ability to find beauty in simplicity.
- This depicts how hard work turns dreams into reality.
- This depicts your unique vision and sense of purpose.
- This depicts the balance between logic and creativity.
- This depicts your dedication to meaningful, authentic growth.
Tone: Artistic, emotional, and expressive.
Detailed Explanation: “This depicts” gives your words a poetic or reflective tone — ideal for storytelling, writing, or creative communication.
19. This Expresses
Meaning: To communicate a thought, emotion, or message directly.
Scenario: Perfect when highlighting emotions or appreciation.
Examples:
- This expresses your gratitude and sincerity beautifully.
- This expresses how deeply you value meaningful connections.
- This expresses your compassion and emotional intelligence.
- This expresses the strength of your beliefs and actions.
- This expresses your personality with warmth and authenticity.
Tone: Heartfelt, warm, and personal.
Detailed Explanation: “This expresses” is gentle yet direct — a wonderful phrase when you want to make your message feel heartfelt and human.
20. This Sheds Light On
Meaning: To reveal or help people understand something more clearly.
Scenario: Excellent for explaining or exploring a new idea or insight.
Examples:
- This sheds light on how small details can make a big difference.
- This sheds light on the reasons behind recent positive changes.
- This sheds light on your unique way of solving complex challenges.
- This sheds light on what truly drives your motivation and success.
- This sheds light on the value of patience and perseverance.
Tone: Reflective, insightful, and gentle.
Detailed Explanation: “This sheds light on” gives your message a sense of clarity and learning, making it ideal for thoughtful reflection or discussion.
Conclusion
The phrase “this shows” is simple yet powerful—but using more expressive alternatives can make your writing or speech more authentic, empathetic, and impactful. Each phrase here brings a slightly different tone—some more professional, others more personal—so you can choose what best fits your message and your heart.
Remember: choosing the right words is more than style—it’s a form of care.
FAQs:
1. Which alternative to “this shows” works best in emotional writing?
“This reveals,” “this reflects,” or “this conveys” add warmth and emotional honesty to your writing.
2. Can I use “this indicates” in an academic essay?
Absolutely. “This indicates” and “this demonstrates” are ideal for formal, factual writing.
3. What’s a polite alternative to “this shows” in a professional email?
Try “this emphasizes” or “this highlights” for a polished, confident tone.
4. How can I sound more expressive and natural?
Use “this brings out” or “this expresses” when you want your message to feel genuine and heartfelt.
5. Which phrase is best when sharing insights or discoveries?
“This sheds light on” or “this reveals” are perfect for explaining discoveries thoughtfully.
Emma Brooke is a content writer at GrammerWay, specializing in English grammar, writing clarity, and common language errors. She creates easy-to-follow guides that help readers write accurately and confidently.
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