In professional, academic, and corporate writing, the phrase “this shows” is often used to introduce evidence, explain implications, or draw conclusions. While it’s clear and commonly understood, it can sound too casual, repetitive, or imprecise when used frequently—especially in reports, research papers, executive summaries, or formal emails.
Using formal synonyms for “this shows” allows you to express analysis, causation, and conclusions with greater authority and sophistication. Whether you’re interpreting data, explaining outcomes, or reinforcing an argument, choosing a refined alternative helps your writing sound more polished, credible, and appropriate for high-level professional contexts.
⚡ Quick List: Formal Alternatives to “This Shows”
- This demonstrates
- This indicates
- This illustrates
- This suggests
- This reflects
- This highlights
- This reveals
- This confirms
- This establishes
- This signifies
- This underscores
- This evidences
- This implies
- This substantiates
- This validates
- This corroborates
- This denotes
- This exemplifies
- This points to
- This conveys
- This manifests
- This affirms
- This verifies
- This brings to light
- This makes evident
- This supports the view that
- This is indicative of
- This serves as evidence of
- This is demonstrative of
- This clearly reflects
- This is suggestive of
- This provides insight into
- This sheds light on
- This is reflective of
🏛️ Formal Ways to Say “This Shows”
These expressions are best suited for academic writing, business reports, legal analysis, executive communication, and formal documentation.
1. This Demonstrates
- Meaning: Clearly proves or explains something.
- Explanation: Strong and authoritative; widely accepted in formal writing.
- Example:
“This demonstrates the effectiveness of the revised strategy.” - Best Use: Reports, research papers
- Worst Use: Casual conversation
- Tone: Highly formal
2. This Indicates
- Meaning: Points to a likely conclusion.
- Explanation: Slightly cautious and analytical.
- Example:
“This indicates a need for further investment.” - Best Use: Data analysis
- Worst Use: Emotional arguments
- Tone: Formal
3. This Illustrates
- Meaning: Makes an idea clearer through explanation.
- Explanation: Helpful when clarifying concepts.
- Example:
“This illustrates how market conditions have shifted.” - Best Use: Presentations, reports
- Worst Use: Legal conclusions
- Tone: Formal
4. This Suggests
- Meaning: Implies without asserting certainty.
- Explanation: Useful when conclusions are interpretive.
- Example:
“This suggests that customer preferences are changing.” - Best Use: Research, forecasting
- Worst Use: Definitive statements
- Tone: Formal, cautious
5. This Reflects
- Meaning: Represents an underlying condition.
- Explanation: Indicates correlation rather than causation.
- Example:
“This reflects broader industry trends.” - Best Use: Strategic analysis
- Worst Use: Technical proofs
- Tone: Formal
6. This Highlights
- Meaning: Draws attention to something important.
- Explanation: Emphasizes key points.
- Example:
“This highlights the importance of compliance.” - Best Use: Executive summaries
- Worst Use: Minor details
- Tone: Formal
7. This Reveals
- Meaning: Makes something previously unclear known.
- Explanation: Strong and impactful.
- Example:
“This reveals a gap in the current process.” - Best Use: Audits, evaluations
- Worst Use: Speculative writing
- Tone: Formal
8. This Confirms
- Meaning: Verifies a prior assumption.
- Explanation: Indicates certainty.
- Example:
“This confirms our initial findings.” - Best Use: Validation, results
- Worst Use: Early-stage analysis
- Tone: Formal
9. This Establishes
- Meaning: Formally proves something.
- Explanation: Strong, definitive language.
- Example:
“This establishes a clear link between policy and outcome.” - Best Use: Legal, academic writing
- Worst Use: Informal contexts
- Tone: Very formal
10. This Underscores
- Meaning: Emphasizes importance.
- Explanation: Often used in persuasive writing.
- Example:
“This underscores the urgency of action.” - Best Use: Strategic arguments
- Worst Use: Neutral summaries
- Tone: Formal
11. This Substantiates
- Meaning: Supports with evidence.
- Explanation: Strong evidentiary connotation.
- Example:
“This substantiates the proposed hypothesis.” - Best Use: Research, legal writing
- Worst Use: Casual explanation
- Tone: Highly formal
12. This Validates
- Meaning: Confirms legitimacy or accuracy.
- Explanation: Common in testing and evaluation.
- Example:
“This validates the chosen methodology.” - Best Use: Academic, technical contexts
- Worst Use: Opinion-based writing
- Tone: Formal
13. This Corroborates
- Meaning: Confirms with supporting evidence.
- Explanation: Often paired with multiple sources.
- Example:
“This corroborates earlier findings.” - Best Use: Research, investigations
- Worst Use: Simple explanations
- Tone: Formal
14. This Evidences
- Meaning: Serves as evidence.
- Explanation: Concise and authoritative.
- Example:
“This evidences a decline in performance.” - Best Use: Legal, academic writing
- Worst Use: Conversational writing
- Tone: Formal
15. This Signifies
- Meaning: Represents a meaningful indication.
- Explanation: Slightly abstract and analytical.
- Example:
“This signifies a shift in priorities.” - Best Use: Strategic discussions
- Worst Use: Technical reports
- Tone: Formal
⚖️ Semi-Formal & Neutral Alternatives
Appropriate for professional emails, presentations, internal reports, and client-facing communication.
1. This Shows That
- Meaning: Clear cause-and-effect.
- Example:
“This shows that the process is working.” - Best Use: Explanatory writing
- Worst Use: Formal reports
- Tone: Neutral
2. This Points To
- Meaning: Indicates direction or trend.
- Example:
“This points to a potential risk.” - Best Use: Analysis
- Worst Use: Definitive claims
- Tone: Neutral
3. This Makes It Clear That
- Meaning: Clarifies understanding.
- Example:
“This makes it clear that adjustments are needed.” - Best Use: Presentations
- Worst Use: Legal writing
- Tone: Semi-formal
4. This Helps Explain
- Meaning: Aids understanding.
- Example:
“This helps explain the decline in sales.” - Best Use: Informative content
- Worst Use: Formal proof
- Tone: Neutral
5. This Reflects That
- Meaning: Indicates representation.
- Example:
“This reflects that customer needs are evolving.” - Best Use: Business analysis
- Worst Use: Scientific writing
- Tone: Neutral
6. This Tells Us That
- Meaning: Conversational explanation.
- Example:
“This tells us that the strategy is effective.” - Best Use: Internal communication
- Worst Use: Academic writing
- Tone: Semi-formal
7. This Means That
- Meaning: Explains implications.
- Example:
“This means that timelines must be revised.” - Best Use: Explanations
- Worst Use: Formal conclusions
- Tone: Neutral
8. This Provides Evidence That
- Meaning: Supports an argument.
- Example:
“This provides evidence that training is effective.” - Best Use: Reports
- Worst Use: Casual writing
- Tone: Neutral
9. This Supports the Idea That
- Meaning: Reinforces a viewpoint.
- Example:
“This supports the idea that changes are needed.” - Best Use: Persuasive writing
- Worst Use: Factual summaries
- Tone: Semi-formal
10. This Helps Demonstrate
- Meaning: Clarifies with support.
- Example:
“This helps demonstrate the value of automation.” - Best Use: Presentations
- Worst Use: Legal texts
- Tone: Semi-formal
11. This Can Be Seen As
- Meaning: Interpretive explanation.
- Example:
“This can be seen as a positive outcome.” - Best Use: Opinion pieces
- Worst Use: Definitive analysis
- Tone: Neutral
12. This Suggests That
- Meaning: Implies rather than states.
- Example:
“This suggests that improvements are working.” - Best Use: Forecasting
- Worst Use: Conclusions
- Tone: Neutral
13. This Highlights That
- Meaning: Emphasizes a point.
- Example:
“This highlights that communication is key.” - Best Use: Professional emails
- Worst Use: Minor points
- Tone: Semi-formal
14. This Makes It Evident That
- Meaning: Indicates clarity.
- Example:
“This makes it evident that action is required.” - Best Use: Business writing
- Worst Use: Informal chat
- Tone: Semi-formal
15. This Indicates That
- Meaning: Neutral implication.
- Example:
“This indicates that demand is increasing.” - Best Use: Reporting
- Worst Use: Emotional arguments
- Tone: Neutral
🙂 Informal or Casual Alternatives
- This shows us
- This proves
- This makes it obvious
- This goes to show
- This tells us
- This clearly shows
- This points out
🏢 Industry-Specific Variations
💼 Business
- “This highlights a key opportunity”
- “This reflects market behavior”
🏛️ Corporate
- “This underscores organizational priorities”
- “This confirms alignment with strategy”
🎓 Academic
- “This demonstrates a significant correlation”
- “This substantiates the hypothesis”
☎️ Customer Service
- “This shows our commitment”
- “This reflects our service standards”
⚖️ Legal
- “This establishes liability”
- “This evidences compliance”
📧 Email Communication
- “This indicates that…”
- “This highlights the need for…”
📩 Email Examples
1. Subject: Performance Review Summary
Hi Team,
The latest results demonstrate the effectiveness of our new approach.
Best regards,
Alex
2. Subject: Data Analysis Update
Dear Sarah,
The findings indicate a steady improvement in engagement.
Kind regards,
Michael
3. Subject: Audit Results
Hello James,
This reveals an opportunity to strengthen internal controls.
Best,
Finance Team
4. Subject: Strategy Alignment
Hi Leadership Team,
This underscores the importance of cross-team collaboration.
Regards,
Emma
5. Subject: Customer Feedback Review
Dear Team,
Recent feedback reflects growing satisfaction levels.
Sincerely,
Customer Success
🗣️ Short Dialogue Examples
- A: “What do the numbers mean?”
B: “They indicate a positive trend.” - A: “Why are we changing strategy?”
B: “This demonstrates the need for adaptation.” - A: “Is the plan effective?”
B: “The results confirm it is.” - A: “What did the audit find?”
B: “It revealed several gaps.” - A: “Why is training important?”
B: “It underscores long-term success.”
📊 Comparison Table
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| This demonstrates | Formal | Reports | “This demonstrates success.” |
| This indicates | Formal | Analysis | “This indicates growth.” |
| This highlights | Semi-formal | Emails | “This highlights importance.” |
| This points to | Neutral | Trends | “This points to risk.” |
| This shows that | Neutral | Explanation | “This shows that it works.” |
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Repeating “this shows” excessively
- Using informal phrases in formal writing
- Overstating conclusions
- Ignoring tone consistency
- Using vague evidence
- Mixing certainty with speculation
🚫 When NOT to Use These Phrases
- When no evidence is provided
- In purely descriptive writing
- In legal obligations without proof
- When conclusions are uncertain
- In casual conversations
❓ FAQs
1. Is “this shows” unprofessional?
Not unprofessional, but often too informal for formal writing.
2. What’s the best formal alternative?
“This demonstrates” or “this indicates.”
3. Can I use these in academic papers?
Yes, especially formal alternatives.
4. Which is safest for emails?
“This highlights” or “this indicates.”
5. Should I vary phrases?
Yes—variation improves readability and tone.
6. Can these be used in reports?
Absolutely, especially formal options.
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