essay words for this shows

10 Other Words for “This Shows” in an Essay

Showing how one thing affects another is great in academic writing. It shows that you’ve connected two points with each other, making sure the reader follows along.

However, is “this shows” the only appropriate choice when linking two ideas?

We have gathered some helpful synonyms teaching you other ways to say “this shows” in an essay.

• Demonstrating
• This implies
• This allows
• This displays

Keep reading to learn more words to replace “this shows” in an essay. You can also review the examples we provide under each heading.

Removing “this” from “this shows” creates a simple formal synonym to mix up your writing. You can instead write “showing” in academic writing to demonstrate an effect .

Typically, this is a great way to limit your word count . Sure, you’re only removing one word from your essay, but if you can find other areas to do something similar, you’ll be more efficient .

Efficient essays often make for the most interesting ones. They also make it much easier for the reader to follow, and the reviewer will usually be able to give you a more appropriate grade.

Check out these examples if you still need help:

• The facts state most of the information here, showing that we still have a lot of work to do before moving forward.
• This is the only way to complete the project, showing that things aren’t quite ready to progress.

2. Demonstrating

Following a similar idea to using “showing,” you can also use “demonstrating.” This comes from the idea that “this demonstrates” is a bit redundant. So, you can remove “this.”

Again, demonstrating ideas is a great way to engage the reader . You can use it in the middle of a sentence to explain how two things affect each other.

You can also review the following examples:

• These are the leading causes, demonstrating the fundamental ways to get through it. Which do you think is worth pursuing?
• I would like to direct your attention to this poll, demonstrating the do’s and don’ts for tasks like this one.

3. Leading To

There are plenty of ways to talk about different causes and effects in your writing. A good choice to include in the middle of a sentence is “leading to.”

When something “leads to” something else, it is a direct cause . Therefore, it’s worth including “leading to” in an essay when making relevant connections in your text.

Here are some examples to help you understand it:

• This is what we are looking to achieve, leading to huge capital gains for everyone associated with it.
• I would like to direct your attention to this assignment, leading to what could be huge changes in the status quo.

4. Creating

Often, you can create cause-and-effect relationships in your writing by including two similar ideas. Therefore, it’s worth including “creating” to demonstrate a connection to the reader.

Including “creating” in the middle of a sentence allows you to clarify certain causes . This helps to streamline your academic writing and ensures the reader knows what you’re talking about.

Perhaps these essay samples will also help you:

• We could not complete the task quickly, creating a problem when it came to the next part of the movement.
• I thought about the ideas, creating the process that we know today. I’m glad I took the time to work through it.

5. This Implies

For a more formal way to say “this shows,” try “this implies.” Of course, it doesn’t change much from the original phrase, but that doesn’t mean it’s ineffective.

In fact, using “this implies” (or “implying” for streamlining) allows you to discuss implications and facts from the previous sentence.

You will often start a sentence with “this implies.” It shows you have relevant and useful information to discuss with the reader.

However, it only works when starting a sentence. You cannot use it to start a new paragraph as it does not relate to anything. “This implies” must always relate to something mentioned before.

You can also review these examples:

• I appreciate everything that they did for us. This implies they’re willing to work together on other projects.
• You can’t always get these things right. This implies we still have a lot of work to do before we can finalize anything.

“Proving” is a word you can use instead of “this shows” in an essay. It comes from “this proves,” showing how something creates another situation .

Proof is often the most important in scientific studies and arguments. Therefore, it’s very common to use “proving” instead of “this shows” in scientific essays and writing.

We recommend using this when discussing your experiments and explaining how it might cause something specific to happen. It helps the reader follow your ideas on the page.

Perhaps the following examples will also help you:

• They provided us with multiple variables, proving that we weren’t the only ones working on the experiment.
• I could not figure out the way forward, proving that it came down to a choice. I didn’t know the best course of action.

7. This Allows

Often, when you talk about a cause in your essays, it allows an effect to take place. You can talk more about this relationship with a phrase like “this allows.”

At the start of a sentence , “this allows” is a great way to describe a cause-and-effect relationship . It keeps the reader engaged and ensures they know what you’re talking about.

Also, using “this allows” directly after expressing your views explains the purpose of your writing. This could show a reader why you’ve even decided to write the essay in the first place.

• Many scenarios work here. This allows us to explore different situations to see which works best.
• I found the best way to address the situation. This allows me to provide more ideas to upper management.

8. This Displays

It might not be as common, but “this displays” is still a great choice in academic writing. You can use it when discussing how one thing leads to another .

Usually, “this displays” works best when discussing data points or figures . It’s a great way to show how you can display your information within your writing to make things easy for the reader .

You can refer to these examples if you’re still unsure:

• We have not considered every outcome. This displays a lack of planning and poor judgment regarding the team.
• I’m afraid this is the only way we can continue it. This displays a problem for most of the senior shareholders.

9. Indicating

Indicating how things connect to each other helps readers to pay attention. The clearer your connections, the better your essay will be.

Therefore, it’s worth including “indicating” in the middle of a sentence . It shows you two points relate to each other .

Often, this allows you to talk about specific effects. It’s a great way to explain the purpose of a paragraph (or the essay as a whole, depending on the context).

If you’re still stuck, review these examples:

• There are plenty of great alternatives to use, indicating that you don’t have to be so close-minded about the process.
• I have compiled a list of information to help you, indicating the plethora of ways you can complete it.

10 Other Ways to Say “This Shows”

When writing or speaking, there are times when you want to emphasize something or draw attention to evidence . The phrase “this shows” is commonly used in such contexts. However, just as we have many ways to convey good wishes, there are other ways to say “it shows” in English. Varying your vocabulary can make your arguments more persuasive and your writing more engaging.

Table of Contents

Other Ways to Say “This Shows”

By expanding your vocabulary, you can articulate your thoughts more precisely and convincingly. Instead of using “this shows” repeatedly, consider the following alternatives:

• This Indicates

Example: “The rising temperatures indicate a change in the climate.”

Meaning: “Indicate” is a formal way of suggesting that something serves as a sign or a clear pointer to a certain fact or situation. It’s like a beacon highlighting specific information.

Usage: When presenting research findings, the term “indicate” can be used to point out correlations or trends observed in the data.

• This Demonstrates

Example: “The consistently high grades of the student demonstrate his dedication to his studies.”

Meaning: “Demonstrate” conveys the idea that something stands as tangible proof or clear evidence of a particular fact or quality, showcasing it in action.

Usage: In academic discussions, “demonstrate” is often used to present findings or theories that are supported by concrete evidence.

• This Reveals

Example: “The diary entries reveal the author’s innermost thoughts and fears.”

Meaning: “Reveal” is akin to pulling back a curtain on something, making known or uncovering details, facts, or sentiments that were previously concealed or not immediately apparent.

Usage: Mystery writers often use “reveal” when unveiling a critical plot twist or a character’s secret.

• This Suggests

Example: “The presence of ancient artifacts in this area suggests that a civilization once thrived here.”

Meaning: “Suggest” is a subtle way of hinting at something, implying or hinting at a fact or idea without making a direct or overt statement.

Usage: In speculative discussions or when making educated guesses, “suggest” is a preferred term to indicate possible scenarios.

• This Highlights

Example: “The documentary highlights the challenges faced by refugees.”

Meaning: “Highlight” is like shining a spotlight on something, drawing special attention to or emphasizing a particular point, detail, or aspect, making it stand out.

Usage: Journalists and documentarians use “highlight” when they want to focus on specific issues or stories that need more public attention.

• This Reflects

Example: “The company’s values reflect its commitment to sustainability.”

Meaning: “Reflect” conveys the idea that something serves as a mirror image or a clear representation of a particular quality, sentiment, or fact, showcasing its essence.

Usage: In discussions about values, principles, or culture, “reflect” is used to show alignment or representation.

• This Illustrates

Example: “Her story illustrates the hardships faced by many immigrants.”

Meaning: “Illustrate” is akin to painting a picture with words, serving as a vivid example or clarification of a point, making abstract ideas more tangible.

Usage: Educators and trainers often use “illustrate” when providing examples to explain complex concepts.

• This Confirms

Example: “The DNA test confirms the suspect’s presence at the crime scene.”

Meaning: “Confirm” is a stamp of validation, establishing the truth, accuracy, or correctness of something without a shadow of a doubt.

Usage: In legal or scientific contexts, “confirm” is used when evidence solidly supports a claim or hypothesis.

• This Points To

Example: “The data points to a significant increase in sales next quarter.”

Meaning: “Points to” is like a compass directing attention or focus towards a particular conclusion, fact, or outcome, guiding the narrative.

Usage: Analysts and forecasters use “points to” when discussing trends or predictions based on current data.

• This Underscores

Example: “The recent events underscore the importance of preparedness.”

Meaning: “Underscore” is like underlining a written word, emphasizing or giving added force to a point, ensuring it’s not overlooked.

Usage: Speakers and writers use “underscore” when they want to stress the significance or urgency of a particular point or issue.

Choosing the Right Expression for the Context

The context in which you speak or write plays a key role in choosing an expression. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it. The right choice of words can improve the impact of your message by making it more resonant and memorable for your audience.

Formal Writing :

In environments that demand precision and clarity, such as research papers, official documents, or business communications, it’s crucial to use terms that convey authority and specificity. Expressions like “validates,” “corroborates,” and “signifies” not only sound professional but also add weight to the statements, ensuring that the audience understands the gravity of the information being presented.

Casual Conversations :

When you’re engaged in daily dialogues, be it with friends, family, or acquaintances, the tone is often more relaxed and personal. In such settings, it’s more about connection than precision. Using expressions like “depicts” or “conveys” can make the conversation flow more naturally, allowing for a more genuine exchange of thoughts and feelings.

Artistic Endeavors :

The realm of art and creativity thrives on emotion, imagination, and nuance. Whether you’re penning a poem, crafting a story, or delivering a theatrical performance, the words you choose can paint vivid images in the minds of your audience. Expressions like “exemplifies” or “accentuates” can add layers of depth and texture to your narrative, allowing your audience to delve deeper into the world you’re creating.

In conclusion, the power of language lies not only in the words we choose but also in the context in which we use them. By considering our audience and setting, we can choose expressions that resonate more deeply, amplifying the impact of our message. Whether in formal discourse, casual chats, or artistic creations, adapting our language elevates our communication.

As we continue to explore and expand our language repertoire, we enrich not only our own expression but also the experience of those we interact with. For those who want to dive deeper into the nuances of language and its impact, the Oxford English Dictionary offers a treasure trove of insights. Remember, it’s not just about saying something, it’s about making it really meaningful.

1. Why is “this shows” such a commonly used expression in English?

“This shows” is a straightforward and clear way to introduce evidence or illustrate a point. Its simplicity makes it a popular choice in both spoken and written English to connect an observation with its implication.

2. In what contexts is “this shows” most appropriately used?

While versatile, “this shows” is most commonly found in analytical writing , such as essays, reports, and research papers . It’s used to introduce evidence or examples that support a preceding statement or argument.

3. Can “this shows” be overused in writing or speech?

Yes, like any phrase, over-reliance on “this shows” can make writing sound repetitive. It’s beneficial to diversify expressions to maintain reader engagement and convey depth of thought.

4. Are there situations where “this shows” might not be the best choice? In very formal or technical writing, more specific phrases might be preferred to convey precise relationships between data or observations. Additionally, in casual conversations, more relaxed expressions might be more fitting.

5. Is “this shows” understood universally in English-speaking cultures? Generally, yes. “This shows” is a standard expression in English and is widely understood across English-speaking cultures. However, the nuances of what follows might vary based on cultural contexts.

6. Can the overuse of “this shows” impact the quality of my writing?

While the expression itself is neutral, overusing any phrase can make writing seem monotonous. For quality writing, it’s essential to have a mix of expressions that fit the context and effectively convey the intended message.

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12 Other Words for “This Shows” in an Essay

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Embarking on the journey of expressive writing requires the adept use of language . Unveiling alternative phrases for “This Shows” can transform your essays into compelling narratives. In this article, we delve into 12 distinctive expressions, enhancing your ability to articulate thoughts with finesse. Let’s embark on this linguistic exploration.

12 Other Words for “This Shows”

Here are 12 alternative expressions for “This Shows”:

• Demonstrates
• Illustrates
• Exemplifies

Here’s a table with meanings and examples for the 12 alternative expressions for “This Shows”:

These alternative expressions provide a rich tapestry of language to convey ideas effectively in writing. By diversifying your vocabulary, you can add nuance and depth to your communication, ensuring that your message resonates with clarity and impact.

Is It Correct to Say “This Shows”?

Certainly, using the phrase “This shows” is grammatically correct, and it’s a commonly employed expression in writing and speaking. However, to enhance the variety and sophistication of your language, you might consider incorporating alternative expressions for greater impact.

The phrase “This shows” is straightforward and direct, making it suitable for various contexts, from academic writing to everyday communication. It efficiently conveys the idea that something is being demonstrated or revealed. For example:

• “The data analysis is thorough, and this shows the researcher’s attention to detail.”
• “She consistently meets deadlines, and this shows her commitment to the project.”

While grammatically correct, it’s beneficial to diversify your vocabulary to prevent repetition and add nuance to your expression. Utilizing alternatives such as “demonstrates,” “illustrates,” “reveals,” or any of the other suggested terms in this article can elevate the quality of your writing, providing a more varied and sophisticated linguistic palette.

Professional Mail Example With “This Shows”

Subject: Project Progress Update – Milestone Achieved

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I trust this email finds you well. I am writing to provide you with an update on the current status of the project.

We have successfully completed the initial phase of the project, and I am pleased to inform you that our team’s collective efforts have borne fruit. This shows the dedication and commitment we have invested in ensuring the project’s success .

To delve into specifics, the data analysis, as outlined in our project plan, has been meticulously executed. The comprehensive report generated from this analysis not only meets but exceeds the expected standards. This shows our attention to detail and commitment to delivering quality outcomes.

Moreover, our collaborative approach with the cross-functional teams has significantly contributed to the seamless progression of tasks. This shows the effectiveness of our teamwork and the positive impact it has on project timelines.

In the coming weeks, we are poised to enter the next phase, building upon the solid foundation laid during this initial stage. We are confident that the momentum we’ve gained will propel us toward meeting and even surpassing our project objectives.

I welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have as we proceed. Your insights are invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring the project aligns with your expectations.

Thank you for your continued support and trust in our team’s capabilities. We look forward to achieving further milestones together.

Best regards,

[Your Full Name] [Your Position] [Your Contact Information]

1. Evidently: A Clear Path to Clarity

“Evidently” is an adverb used to convey a clear and unmistakable indication of a situation or fact.

In formal writing, “evidently” can enhance the expression of certainties or observations without leaving room for doubt. In informal contexts, it adds a touch of confidence to casual conversations.

Formal: The research data EVIDENTLY supports the hypothesis, showcasing a significant correlation between variables.

Informal: EVIDENTLY, she has a talent for turning challenges into opportunities.

Email Sample:

Subject: Evidently Successful Project Results

Dear [Recipient],

I hope this message finds you well. I am pleased to inform you that our recent project has EVIDENTLY exceeded expectations. Attached is a detailed report for your review.

Best regards, [Your Name]

• Formal Variation: It is EVIDENT FROM THE ANALYSIS that our strategy is effective.
• Informal Variation: EVIDENTLY, you aced that presentation!

Using “evidently” brings an air of authority to your statements, making it suitable for professional communication where clarity is paramount.

2. Demonstrates: Showcasing Excellence

“Demonstrates” is a verb indicating a clear and conclusive presentation of a concept, skill, or fact.

In formal writing, “demonstrates” is powerful for illustrating achievements or capabilities. In casual settings, it can highlight personal skills or achievements.

Formal: The experiment DEMONSTRATES the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

Informal: He DEMONSTRATES exceptional leadership in every project.

Subject: Demonstrates Strong Leadership

I wanted to bring to your attention how [Name] consistently DEMONSTRATES exceptional leadership skills in our team. His recent contributions have been noteworthy.

• Formal Variation: The report DEMONSTRATES the company’s commitment to sustainability.
• Informal Variation: She DEMONSTRATES creativity in every design.

“Demonstrates” adds weight to your assertions, making it ideal for showcasing accomplishments in professional and personal contexts.

3. Illustrates: Painting Pictures with Words

“Illustrates” is a verb conveying the creation of a clear and vivid picture through words, often used to explain or clarify.

Formally, “illustrates” is potent for elucidating complex concepts. In informal communication, it lends a creative flair to storytelling.

Formal: The graph ILLUSTRATES the correlation between input and output variables.

Informal: Let me ILLUSTRATE my point with a personal anecdote.

Subject: Illustrates Our Progress

The attached report ILLUSTRATES the remarkable progress we’ve made this quarter. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

• Formal Variation: The case study ILLUSTRATES the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
• Informal Variation: His experience ILLUSTRATES the power of resilience.

“Illustrates” is a versatile term, suitable for both technical explanations and adding a storytelling element to your conversations.

4. Reveals: Unveiling Truths

“Reveals” is a verb indicating the disclosure or exposure of something previously hidden or unknown.

In formal contexts, “reveals” is impactful for unveiling discoveries or insights. Informally, it adds a dramatic touch to everyday storytelling.

Formal: The investigation REVEALS new dimensions in our understanding of the phenomenon.

Informal: Guess what the interview REVEALS about his unconventional career path!

Subject: Reveals Key Findings

The attached document REVEALS key findings from our recent market analysis. Your insights on this matter would be valuable.

• Formal Variation: The research REVEALS a previously unknown correlation.
• Informal Variation: This documentary REVEALS the hidden gems of our city.

“Reveals” adds a touch of intrigue to your narrative, making it suitable for both professional revelations and casual storytelling.

5. Displays: Showcasing for Impact

“Displays” is a verb indicating the presentation or exhibition of something for observation or admiration.

In formal writing, “displays” is apt for showcasing achievements or results. Informally, it adds flair to expressing personal accomplishments.

Formal: The conference room DISPLAYS a collection of awards highlighting our achievements.

Informal: She DISPLAYS a remarkable level of dedication to her craft.

Subject: Displays of Excellence

Our team consistently DISPLAYS excellence in every project. Please find the attached report for your review.

• Formal Variation: The showroom DISPLAYS the latest innovations in technology.
• Informal Variation: He DISPLAYS unmatched passion for his hobbies.

“Displays” emphasizes visibility and impact, making it suitable for professional and personal contexts, especially when showcasing accomplishments.

6. Manifests: Bringing Ideas to Life

“Manifests” is a verb signifying the clear and tangible expression or demonstration of an idea, quality, or feeling.

In formal settings, “manifests” is potent for portraying tangible outcomes. Informally, it adds a touch of vividness to personal narratives.

Formal: His dedication MANIFESTS in the consistent quality of work delivered.

Informal: The team spirit MANIFESTS in our successful collaborations.

Subject: Manifests Exceptional Performance

I wanted to highlight how [Name]’s effort MANIFESTS in the exceptional performance of our recent project. Please find the details attached.

• Formal Variation: The initiative MANIFESTS the organization’s commitment to sustainability.
• Informal Variation: His kindness MANIFESTS in the little things he does for others.

“Manifests” adds a layer of tangibility to your descriptions, making it suitable for both professional and personal contexts, especially when emphasizing dedication or commitment.

7. Portrays: Crafting a Narrative

“Portrays” is a verb conveying the representation or depiction of something through words, images, or actions.

Formally, “portrays” is effective for creating a narrative or analysis. Informally, it adds a storytelling element to personal anecdotes.

Formal: The movie PORTRAYS the harsh realities of urban life.

Informal: Let me PORTRAY a scene from my recent travel adventure.

Subject: Portrays Our Brand Identity

I trust this message finds you well. The attached document PORTRAYS our brand identity and the values we hold dear.

• Formal Variation: The report PORTRAYS the evolving landscape of our industry.
• Informal Variation: His artwork beautifully PORTRAYS the essence of nature.

“Portrays” invites readers to visualize, making it suitable for both analytical writing and creative storytelling.

8. Exemplifies: Setting a Standard

“Exemplifies” is a verb indicating the action of serving as a typical example or illustration of a concept or quality.

In formal writing, “exemplifies” is powerful for setting standards or showcasing ideal scenarios. Informally, it adds a touch of admiration to personal narratives.

Formal: The successful entrepreneur EXEMPLIFIES resilience and adaptability.

Informal: She truly EXEMPLIFIES the meaning of generosity.

Subject: Exemplifies Excellence

I am delighted to share how [Name] consistently EXEMPLIFIES excellence in their role. Please find the details attached.

• Formal Variation: The project EXEMPLIFIES the organization’s commitment to innovation.
• Informal Variation: Your dedication EXEMPLIFIES true friendship.

“Exemplifies” adds a layer of admiration to your descriptions, making it suitable for both professional and personal contexts, especially when highlighting exemplary qualities.

9. Conveys: Communicating with Precision

“Conveys” is a verb indicating the clear and effective communication of an idea, feeling, or information.

In formal writing, “conveys” is essential for emphasizing effective communication. Informally, it brings a touch of intention to casual conversations.

Formal: The speaker CONVEYS the urgency of addressing climate change in his presentation.

Informal: She CONVEYS her excitement for the upcoming event through animated gestures.

Subject: Conveys Key Messages

The attached document CONVEYS the key messages from our recent meeting. Your feedback is highly appreciated.

• Formal Variation: The artwork CONVEYS the artist’s commentary on societal issues.
• Informal Variation: His smile CONVEYS a sense of genuine happiness.

“Conveys” adds a layer of intention to your communication, making it suitable for both formal presentations and casual expressions.

10. Signifies: Indicating Importance

“Signifies” is a verb indicating the action of conveying meaning, importance, or intention.

Formally, “signifies” is potent for indicating significance. Informally, it adds depth to expressions of importance or intent.

Formal: The ringing bell SIGNIFIES the end of the school day.

Informal: Their shared laughter SIGNIFIES a strong bond.

Subject: Signifies Milestone Achievement

I am thrilled to share that our recent accomplishment SIGNIFIES a significant milestone for the team. Please find the details attached.

• Formal Variation: The decision SIGNIFIES a strategic shift in our approach.
• Informal Variation: Your support SIGNIFIES a lot to me.

“Signifies” adds gravitas to your descriptions, making it suitable for both formal announcements and personal expressions of importance.

11. Exhibits: Showcasing for Inspection

“Exhibits” is a verb indicating the action of displaying or presenting something for observation or inspection.

In formal contexts, “exhibits” is potent for showcasing achievements or qualities. Informally, it adds flair to expressing personal accomplishments.

Formal: The museum EXHIBITS artifacts from ancient civilizations.

Informal: He always EXHIBITS a positive attitude, no matter the circumstance.

Subject: Exhibits Exceptional Skills

I am pleased to inform you that [Name] consistently EXHIBITS exceptional skills in project management. Please find the details attached.

• Formal Variation: The gallery EXHIBITS a diverse collection of contemporary art.
• Informal Variation: His personality EXHIBITS warmth and kindness.

“Exhibits” emphasizes visibility and impact, making it suitable for professional and personal contexts, especially when showcasing accomplishments.

12. Indicates: Pointing Towards Understanding

“Indicates” is a verb indicating the action of pointing out or showing a particular direction, meaning, or result.

In formal writing, “indicates” is crucial for pointing towards insights or findings. Informally, it adds a touch of direction to casual conversations.

Formal: The compass INDICATES the way to the north.

Informal: His expression INDICATES genuine interest in the topic.

Subject: Indicates Project Progress

The attached report INDICATES significant progress in our ongoing project. Your thoughts on this matter would be valuable.

• Formal Variation: The data INDICATES a positive trend in customer satisfaction.
• Informal Variation: Your gesture INDICATES a caring attitude.

“Indicates” adds precision to your descriptions, making it suitable for both formal reports and casual expressions of direction.

Q: How can I seamlessly incorporate these alternatives into my essay? A: Integrate these alternatives based on the context of your writing. Experiment with each to discover which resonates best with your style.

Q: Is it necessary to use all 12 alternatives in one essay? A: No, select alternatives based on relevance and variety. Using a mix adds depth to your writing without overwhelming the reader.

Q: Can these alternatives be applied to any type of essay? A: Absolutely! Whether it’s a persuasive piece or an informative essay, these alternatives enhance expression in various contexts.

Q: Why is expressive writing important in essays? A: Expressive writing captivates readers, making your essay memorable. It adds a personal touch, fostering a connection between the writer and the audience.

Q: Are these alternatives suitable for academic essays? A: Yes, these alternatives elevate the quality of academic writing, making your essays more engaging and impactful.

Q: How do I avoid overusing these alternatives in my essay? A: Use a mix of alternatives and vary your language to maintain a natural flow. Overusing any term can diminish its impact.

Mastering alternative expressions for “This Shows” is a transformative step in refining your essay-writing skills. The nuances offered by these alternatives open new avenues for expression, ensuring your essays stand out with clarity and impact.

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Other Words for “This Shows” – This Shows Synonyms

When you use the phrase, “this shows,” you are making a demonstration for proof or evidence of something. There are many ways to say this phrase, which helps to reduce redundancy in writing or speaking English. Some of the most common are “illustrates,” “demonstrates” and “proves,” among a host of others.

Opting to apply synonym phrases for “this shows” will convey nuance and refinement with a command of language. In some cases, you may end up using the wrong synonym when you mean to intend “this shows.”

The Meaning; Grammar of “This Shows”

“This shows” combines the demonstrative pronoun “this” with the present tense conjugation of the verb, “to show.” You use it in situations where you are providing proof or evidence as a result of something. Consider the examples below to understand the use of “this shows” in greater detail.

If Janet is over at Mary’s, then this shows she never went to the bank.

This shows you registered to vote, complete with your ID and address.

Other Synonym Phrases

While “this shows” is a solid and succinct way to indicate proof or evidence of something, there are other means by which to convey the same thing. What you are going to change is the verb “shows” with one of the following words:

• Authenticates
• Demonstrates
• Establishes
• Illustrates
• Testifies to

Examples of Synonym Phrases

While all of these are acceptable synonyms for “this shows,” not all of them will be appropriate in every circumstance or situation. For instance, in the “awkward” synonym exchange below, “testifies to” and “expose” don’t quite characterize the sentiment of the statements.

• Original: If Janet is over at Mary’s, then this shows she never went to the bank.
• Awkward: If Janet is over at Mary’s, then this testifies to she never went to the bank.
• Acceptable: If Janet is over at Mary’s, then this proves she never went to the bank.
• Original: This shows you registered to vote, complete with ID and address.
• Awkward: This exposes you registered to vote, complete with ID and address.
• Acceptable: This validates you registered to vote, complete with ID and address.

As you can see, there are many different ways to say “this shows.” But, you want to be careful with which verb you use, otherwise, it may sound awkward or strange.

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Words to Use in an Essay: 300 Essay Words

Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.

It’s not easy to write an academic essay .

Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.

To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.

If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.

The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.

You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.

That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.

Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.

When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:

To use the words of X

According to X

As X states

Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”

Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.

If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:

In this essay, I will…

The purpose of this essay…

This essay discusses…

In this paper, I put forward the claim that…

There are three main arguments for…

Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.

After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.

When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:

First and foremost

First of all

To begin with

Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.

All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.

The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.

It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.

Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.

It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.

Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.

The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:

Additionally

In addition

Furthermore

Another key thing to remember

In the same way

Correspondingly

Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.

Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:

In other words

To put it another way

That is to say

To put it more simply

Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”

Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:

For instance

To give an illustration of

To exemplify

To demonstrate

As evidence

Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.

Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.

When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:

As a result

Accordingly

As you can see

This suggests that

It follows that

It can be seen that

For this reason

For all of those reasons

Consequently

Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”

When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:

What’s more

Not only…but also

Not to mention

To say nothing of

Another key point

Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.

Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:

On the one hand / on the other hand

Alternatively

In contrast to

On the contrary

By contrast

In comparison

Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.

Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:

Having said that

Differing from

In spite of

With this in mind

Provided that

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Notwithstanding

Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.

Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.

Strong Verbs for Academic Writing

Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.

You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.

For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.

Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.

Verbs that show change:

Accommodate

Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:

Verbs that show increase:

Verbs that show decrease:

Deteriorate

Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:

Comprises of

Is composed of

Constitutes

Encompasses

Incorporates

Verbs that show a negative stance:

Misconstrue

Verbs that show a positive stance:

Substantiate

Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:

Corroborate

Demonstrate

Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:

Contemplate

Hypothesize

Investigate

Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:

Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays

You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.

However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.

Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:

Significant

Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:

Controversial

Insignificant

Questionable

Unnecessary

Unrealistic

Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:

Comprehensively

Exhaustively

Extensively

Respectively

Surprisingly

Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.

The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.

In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:

In conclusion

To summarize

In a nutshell

Given the above

As described

All things considered

Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.

In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.

To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:

Unquestionably

Undoubtedly

Particularly

Importantly

Conclusively

It should be noted

On the whole

Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.

These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.

There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.

If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.

So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?

The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.

One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.

Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.

You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.

Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.

Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.

There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!

Good writing = better grades

ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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Synonyms and antonyms of show in English

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having no legal force

Sitting on the fence (Newspaper idioms)

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noun as in demonstration, exhibition

Strongest matches

• presentation

Strong matches

• manifestation
• representation

noun as in entertainment event

• entertainment
• motion picture

noun as in false front; appearance given

• affectation
• make believe
• ostentation
• grandstand play

verb as in actively exhibit something

• demonstrate

Weak matches

verb as in passively exhibit something

• materialize
• make the scene
• put in appearance
• show one's face

verb as in grant

Strongest match

verb as in accompany

Discover More

Related words.

Words related to show are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word show . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

noun as in pretended behavior

• dissimilation
• false front
• performance
• shuck and jive

noun as in part of a performance

• introduction

verb as in affirm

verb as in publicize for the purpose of selling or causing one to want

• beat the drum for
• circularize
• communicate
• get on soapbox for
• make a pitch
• press agent
• put on the map

Viewing 5 / 282 related words

Example Sentences

Policemen on the show joke about prison riots, bomb threats, and the shooting of unarmed civilians.

As soon as this attack [happened], Paris citizens came together to show were are not afraid, we are Charlie Hebdo.

And they might not have to wait that long to show their political heft.

Not actual CIA agents, but U.S. government personnel who have worked very closely with the CIA, and who are fans of the show.

Earlier this week, Huckabee ended his Fox News talk show so he could spend time mulling another bid for the Republican nomination.

None other would dare to show herself unveiled to a stranger, and a white man at that.

I shall show how it is possible thus to prolong life to the term set by God.

Not only do children thus of themselves extend the scope of our commands, they show a disposition to make rules for themselves.

He called upon the Order to show their title-deeds, but was met with a contemptuous refusal.

If any one has lost his temper, as well as his money, he takes good care not to show it; to do so here would be indeed bad form.

When To Use

What are other ways to say  show .

The noun show often indicates an external appearance that may or may not accord with actual facts: a show of modesty . Display applies to an intentionally conspicuous show: a great display of wealth . Ostentation is vain, ambitious, pretentious, or offensive display: tasteless and vulgar ostentation . Pomp suggests such a show of dignity and authority as characterizes a ceremony of state: The coronation was carried out with pomp and splendor .

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On this page you'll find 525 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to show, such as: appearance, display, fair, pageant, parade, and presentation.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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• The Case for Marrying an Older Man

A woman’s life is all work and little rest. An age gap relationship can help.

In the summer, in the south of France, my husband and I like to play, rather badly, the lottery. We take long, scorching walks to the village — gratuitous beauty, gratuitous heat — kicking up dust and languid debates over how we’d spend such an influx. I purchase scratch-offs, jackpot tickets, scraping the former with euro coins in restaurants too fine for that. I never cash them in, nor do I check the winning numbers. For I already won something like the lotto, with its gifts and its curses, when he married me.

He is ten years older than I am. I chose him on purpose, not by chance. As far as life decisions go, on balance, I recommend it.

When I was 20 and a junior at Harvard College, a series of great ironies began to mock me. I could study all I wanted, prove myself as exceptional as I liked, and still my fiercest advantage remained so universal it deflated my other plans. My youth. The newness of my face and body. Compellingly effortless; cruelly fleeting. I shared it with the average, idle young woman shrugging down the street. The thought, when it descended on me, jolted my perspective, the way a falling leaf can make you look up: I could diligently craft an ideal existence, over years and years of sleepless nights and industry. Or I could just marry it early.

So naturally I began to lug a heavy suitcase of books each Saturday to the Harvard Business School to work on my Nabokov paper. In one cavernous, well-appointed room sat approximately 50 of the planet’s most suitable bachelors. I had high breasts, most of my eggs, plausible deniability when it came to purity, a flush ponytail, a pep in my step that had yet to run out. Apologies to Progress, but older men still desired those things.

I could not understand why my female classmates did not join me, given their intelligence. Each time I reconsidered the project, it struck me as more reasonable. Why ignore our youth when it amounted to a superpower? Why assume the burdens of womanhood, its too-quick-to-vanish upper hand, but not its brief benefits at least? Perhaps it came easier to avoid the topic wholesale than to accept that women really do have a tragically short window of power, and reason enough to take advantage of that fact while they can. As for me, I liked history, Victorian novels, knew of imminent female pitfalls from all the books I’d read: vampiric boyfriends; labor, at the office and in the hospital, expected simultaneously; a decline in status as we aged, like a looming eclipse. I’d have disliked being called calculating, but I had, like all women, a calculator in my head. I thought it silly to ignore its answers when they pointed to an unfairness for which we really ought to have been preparing.

I was competitive by nature, an English-literature student with all the corresponding major ambitions and minor prospects (Great American novel; email job). A little Bovarist , frantic for new places and ideas; to travel here, to travel there, to be in the room where things happened. I resented the callow boys in my class, who lusted after a particular, socially sanctioned type on campus: thin and sexless, emotionally detached and socially connected, the opposite of me. Restless one Saturday night, I slipped on a red dress and snuck into a graduate-school event, coiling an HDMI cord around my wrist as proof of some technical duty. I danced. I drank for free, until one of the organizers asked me to leave. I called and climbed into an Uber. Then I promptly climbed out of it. For there he was, emerging from the revolving doors. Brown eyes, curved lips, immaculate jacket. I went to him, asked him for a cigarette. A date, days later. A second one, where I discovered he was a person, potentially my favorite kind: funny, clear-eyed, brilliant, on intimate terms with the universe.

I used to love men like men love women — that is, not very well, and with a hunger driven only by my own inadequacies. Not him. In those early days, I spoke fondly of my family, stocked the fridge with his favorite pasta, folded his clothes more neatly than I ever have since. I wrote his mother a thank-you note for hosting me in his native France, something befitting a daughter-in-law. It worked; I meant it. After graduation and my fellowship at Oxford, I stayed in Europe for his career and married him at 23.

Of course I just fell in love. Romances have a setting; I had only intervened to place myself well. Mainly, I spotted the precise trouble of being a woman ahead of time, tried to surf it instead of letting it drown me on principle. I had grown bored of discussions of fair and unfair, equal or unequal , and preferred instead to consider a thing called ease.

The reception of a particular age-gap relationship depends on its obviousness. The greater and more visible the difference in years and status between a man and a woman, the more it strikes others as transactional. Transactional thinking in relationships is both as American as it gets and the least kosher subject in the American romantic lexicon. When a 50-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman walk down the street, the questions form themselves inside of you; they make you feel cynical and obscene: How good of a deal is that? Which party is getting the better one? Would I take it? He is older. Income rises with age, so we assume he has money, at least relative to her; at minimum, more connections and experience. She has supple skin. Energy. Sex. Maybe she gets a Birkin. Maybe he gets a baby long after his prime. The sight of their entwined hands throws a lucid light on the calculations each of us makes, in love, to varying degrees of denial. You could get married in the most romantic place in the world, like I did, and you would still have to sign a contract.

Twenty and 30 is not like 30 and 40; some freshness to my features back then, some clumsiness in my bearing, warped our decade, in the eyes of others, to an uncrossable gulf. Perhaps this explains the anger we felt directed at us at the start of our relationship. People seemed to take us very, very personally. I recall a hellish car ride with a friend of his who began to castigate me in the backseat, in tones so low that only I could hear him. He told me, You wanted a rich boyfriend. You chased and snuck into parties . He spared me the insult of gold digger, but he drew, with other words, the outline for it. Most offended were the single older women, my husband’s classmates. They discussed me in the bathroom at parties when I was in the stall. What does he see in her? What do they talk about? They were concerned about me. They wielded their concern like a bludgeon. They paraphrased without meaning to my favorite line from Nabokov’s Lolita : “You took advantage of my disadvantage,” suspecting me of some weakness he in turn mined. It did not disturb them, so much, to consider that all relationships were trades. The trouble was the trade I’d made struck them as a bad one.

The truth is you can fall in love with someone for all sorts of reasons, tiny transactions, pluses and minuses, whose sum is your affection for each other, your loyalty, your commitment. The way someone picks up your favorite croissant. Their habit of listening hard. What they do for you on your anniversary and your reciprocal gesture, wrapped thoughtfully. The serenity they inspire; your happiness, enlivening it. When someone says they feel unappreciated, what they really mean is you’re in debt to them.

When I think of same-age, same-stage relationships, what I tend to picture is a woman who is doing too much for too little.

I’m 27 now, and most women my age have “partners.” These days, girls become partners quite young. A partner is supposed to be a modern answer to the oppression of marriage, the terrible feeling of someone looming over you, head of a household to which you can only ever be the neck. Necks are vulnerable. The problem with a partner, however, is if you’re equal in all things, you compromise in all things. And men are too skilled at taking .

There is a boy out there who knows how to floss because my friend taught him. Now he kisses college girls with fresh breath. A boy married to my friend who doesn’t know how to pack his own suitcase. She “likes to do it for him.” A million boys who know how to touch a woman, who go to therapy because they were pushed, who learned fidelity, boundaries, decency, manners, to use a top sheet and act humanely beneath it, to call their mothers, match colors, bring flowers to a funeral and inhale, exhale in the face of rage, because some girl, some girl we know, some girl they probably don’t speak to and will never, ever credit, took the time to teach him. All while she was working, raising herself, clawing up the cliff-face of adulthood. Hauling him at her own expense.

I find a post on Reddit where five thousand men try to define “ a woman’s touch .” They describe raised flower beds, blankets, photographs of their loved ones, not hers, sprouting on the mantel overnight. Candles, coasters, side tables. Someone remembering to take lint out of the dryer. To give compliments. I wonder what these women are getting back. I imagine them like Cinderella’s mice, scurrying around, their sole proof of life their contributions to a more central character. On occasion I meet a nice couple, who grew up together. They know each other with a fraternalism tender and alien to me.  But I think of all my friends who failed at this, were failed at this, and I think, No, absolutely not, too risky . Riskier, sometimes, than an age gap.

My younger brother is in his early 20s, handsome, successful, but in many ways: an endearing disaster. By his age, I had long since wisened up. He leaves his clothes in the dryer, takes out a single shirt, steams it for three minutes. His towel on the floor, for someone else to retrieve. His lovely, same-age girlfriend is aching to fix these tendencies, among others. She is capable beyond words. Statistically, they will not end up together. He moved into his first place recently, and she, the girlfriend, supplied him with a long, detailed list of things he needed for his apartment: sheets, towels, hangers, a colander, which made me laugh. She picked out his couch. I will bet you anything she will fix his laundry habits, and if so, they will impress the next girl. If they break up, she will never see that couch again, and he will forget its story. I tell her when I visit because I like her, though I get in trouble for it: You shouldn’t do so much for him, not for someone who is not stuck with you, not for any boy, not even for my wonderful brother.

Too much work had left my husband, by 30, jaded and uninspired. He’d burned out — but I could reenchant things. I danced at restaurants when they played a song I liked. I turned grocery shopping into an adventure, pleased by what I provided. Ambitious, hungry, he needed someone smart enough to sustain his interest, but flexible enough in her habits to build them around his hours. I could. I do: read myself occupied, make myself free, materialize beside him when he calls for me. In exchange, I left a lucrative but deadening spreadsheet job to write full-time, without having to live like a writer. I learned to cook, a little, and decorate, somewhat poorly. Mostly I get to read, to walk central London and Miami and think in delicious circles, to work hard, when necessary, for free, and write stories for far less than minimum wage when I tally all the hours I take to write them.

At 20, I had felt daunted by the project of becoming my ideal self, couldn’t imagine doing it in tandem with someone, two raw lumps of clay trying to mold one another and only sullying things worse. I’d go on dates with boys my age and leave with the impression they were telling me not about themselves but some person who didn’t exist yet and on whom I was meant to bet regardless. My husband struck me instead as so finished, formed. Analyzable for compatibility. He bore the traces of other women who’d improved him, small but crucial basics like use a coaster ; listen, don’t give advice. Young egos mellow into patience and generosity.

My husband isn’t my partner. He’s my mentor, my lover, and, only in certain contexts, my friend. I’ll never forget it, how he showed me around our first place like he was introducing me to myself: This is the wine you’ll drink, where you’ll keep your clothes, we vacation here, this is the other language we’ll speak, you’ll learn it, and I did. Adulthood seemed a series of exhausting obligations. But his logistics ran so smoothly that he simply tacked mine on. I moved into his flat, onto his level, drag and drop, cleaner thrice a week, bills automatic. By opting out of partnership in my 20s, I granted myself a kind of compartmentalized, liberating selfishness none of my friends have managed. I am the work in progress, the party we worry about, a surprising dominance. When I searched for my first job, at 21, we combined our efforts, for my sake. He had wisdom to impart, contacts with whom he arranged coffees; we spent an afternoon, laughing, drawing up earnest lists of my pros and cons (highly sociable; sloppy math). Meanwhile, I took calls from a dear friend who had a boyfriend her age. Both savagely ambitious, hyperclose and entwined in each other’s projects. If each was a start-up , the other was the first hire, an intense dedication I found riveting. Yet every time she called me, I hung up with the distinct feeling that too much was happening at the same time: both learning to please a boss; to forge more adult relationships with their families; to pay bills and taxes and hang prints on the wall. Neither had any advice to give and certainly no stability. I pictured a three-legged race, two people tied together and hobbling toward every milestone.

I don’t fool myself. My marriage has its cons. There are only so many times one can say “thank you” — for splendid scenes, fine dinners — before the phrase starts to grate. I live in an apartment whose rent he pays and that shapes the freedom with which I can ever be angry with him. He doesn’t have to hold it over my head. It just floats there, complicating usual shorthands to explain dissatisfaction like, You aren’t being supportive lately . It’s a Frenchism to say, “Take a decision,” and from time to time I joke: from whom? Occasionally I find myself in some fabulous country at some fabulous party and I think what a long way I have traveled, like a lucky cloud, and it is frightening to think of oneself as vapor.

Mostly I worry that if he ever betrayed me and I had to move on, I would survive, but would find in my humor, preferences, the way I make coffee or the bed nothing that he did not teach, change, mold, recompose, stamp with his initials, the way Renaissance painters hid in their paintings their faces among a crowd. I wonder if when they looked at their paintings, they saw their own faces first. But this is the wrong question, if our aim is happiness. Like the other question on which I’m expected to dwell: Who is in charge, the man who drives or the woman who put him there so she could enjoy herself? I sit in the car, in the painting it would have taken me a corporate job and 20 years to paint alone, and my concern over who has the upper hand becomes as distant as the horizon, the one he and I made so wide for me.

To be a woman is to race against the clock, in several ways, until there is nothing left to be but run ragged.

We try to put it off, but it will hit us at some point: that we live in a world in which our power has a different shape from that of men, a different distribution of advantage, ours a funnel and theirs an expanding cone. A woman at 20 rarely has to earn her welcome; a boy at 20 will be turned away at the door. A woman at 30 may find a younger woman has taken her seat; a man at 30 will have invited her. I think back to the women in the bathroom, my husband’s classmates. What was my relationship if not an inconvertible sign of this unfairness? What was I doing, in marrying older, if not endorsing it? I had taken advantage of their disadvantage. I had preempted my own. After all, principled women are meant to defy unfairness, to show some integrity or denial, not plan around it, like I had. These were driven women, successful, beautiful, capable. I merely possessed the one thing they had already lost. In getting ahead of the problem, had I pushed them down? If I hadn’t, would it really have made any difference?

When we decided we wanted to be equal to men, we got on men’s time. We worked when they worked, retired when they retired, had to squeeze pregnancy, children, menopause somewhere impossibly in the margins. I have a friend, in her late 20s, who wears a mood ring; these days it is often red, flickering in the air like a siren when she explains her predicament to me. She has raised her fair share of same-age boyfriends. She has put her head down, worked laboriously alongside them, too. At last she is beginning to reap the dividends, earning the income to finally enjoy herself. But it is now, exactly at this precipice of freedom and pleasure, that a time problem comes closing in. If she would like to have children before 35, she must begin her next profession, motherhood, rather soon, compromising inevitably her original one. The same-age partner, equally unsettled in his career, will take only the minimum time off, she guesses, or else pay some cost which will come back to bite her. Everything unfailingly does. If she freezes her eggs to buy time, the decision and its logistics will burden her singly — and perhaps it will not work. Overlay the years a woman is supposed to establish herself in her career and her fertility window and it’s a perfect, miserable circle. By midlife women report feeling invisible, undervalued; it is a telling cliché, that after all this, some husbands leave for a younger girl. So when is her time, exactly? For leisure, ease, liberty? There is no brand of feminism which achieved female rest. If women’s problem in the ’50s was a paralyzing malaise, now it is that they are too active, too capable, never permitted a vacation they didn’t plan. It’s not that our efforts to have it all were fated for failure. They simply weren’t imaginative enough.

For me, my relationship, with its age gap, has alleviated this rush , permitted me to massage the clock, shift its hands to my benefit. Very soon, we will decide to have children, and I don’t panic over last gasps of fun, because I took so many big breaths of it early: on the holidays of someone who had worked a decade longer than I had, in beautiful places when I was young and beautiful, a symmetry I recommend. If such a thing as maternal energy exists, mine was never depleted. I spent the last nearly seven years supported more than I support and I am still not as old as my husband was when he met me. When I have a child, I will expect more help from him than I would if he were younger, for what does professional tenure earn you if not the right to set more limits on work demands — or, if not, to secure some child care, at the very least? When I return to work after maternal upheaval, he will aid me, as he’s always had, with his ability to put himself aside, as younger men are rarely able.

Above all, the great gift of my marriage is flexibility. A chance to live my life before I become responsible for someone else’s — a lover’s, or a child’s. A chance to write. A chance at a destiny that doesn’t adhere rigidly to the routines and timelines of men, but lends itself instead to roomy accommodation, to the very fluidity Betty Friedan dreamed of in 1963 in The Feminine Mystique , but we’ve largely forgotten: some career or style of life that “permits year-to-year variation — a full-time paid job in one community, part-time in another, exercise of the professional skill in serious volunteer work or a period of study during pregnancy or early motherhood when a full-time job is not feasible.” Some things are just not feasible in our current structures. Somewhere along the way we stopped admitting that, and all we did was make women feel like personal failures. I dream of new structures, a world in which women have entry-level jobs in their 30s; alternate avenues for promotion; corporate ladders with balconies on which they can stand still, have a smoke, take a break, make a baby, enjoy themselves, before they keep climbing. Perhaps men long for this in their own way. Actually I am sure of that.

Once, when we first fell in love, I put my head in his lap on a long car ride; I remember his hands on my face, the sun, the twisting turns of a mountain road, surprising and not surprising us like our romance, and his voice, telling me that it was his biggest regret that I was so young, he feared he would lose me. Last week, we looked back at old photos and agreed we’d given each other our respective best years. Sometimes real equality is not so obvious, sometimes it takes turns, sometimes it takes almost a decade to reveal itself.

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More From Forbes

Nyt ‘strands’ hints, spangram and answers for monday, april 1.

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Find all the theme words to win a round of Strands.

Looking for Sunday’s Strands hints, spangram and answers? You can find them here:

Hey there, gang! I hope you had a fantastic weekend, especially if you had a long one.

Today’s NYT Strands hints, spangram and answers are coming right up.

How To Play Strands

The New York Times’ Strands puzzle is a play on the classic word search. It’s in beta for now, which means it’ll only stick around if enough people play it every day.

There’s a new game of Strands to play every day. The game will present you with a six by eight grid of letters. The aim is to find a group of words that have something in common, and you’ll get a clue as to what that theme is. When you find a theme word, it will remain highlighted in blue.

You’ll also need to find a special word called a spangram. This tells you what the words have in common. The spangram links two opposite sides of the board. While the theme words will not be a proper name, the spangram can be a proper name. When you find the spangram, it will remain highlighted in yellow.

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Every letter is used once in one of the theme words and spangram. You can connect letters vertically, horizontally and diagonally, and it’s possible to switch directions in the middle of a word. If you’re playing on a touchscreen, double tap the last letter to submit your guess.

If you find three valid words of at least four letters that are not part of the theme, you’ll unlock the Hint button. Clicking this will highlight the letters that make up one of the theme words.

Be warned: You’ll need to be on your toes. Sometimes you’ll need to fill the missing word(s) in a phrase. On other days, the game may revolve around synonyms or homophones. The difficulty will vary from day to day, and the puzzle creators will try to surprise you sometimes.

What Is Today’s Strands Hint?

Scroll slowly! Just after the hint for today’s Strands puzzle, I’ll reveal what the answer words are.

The official theme hint for today’s Strand puzzle is...

What's so funny?

Need some extra help? Here’s another hint...

What Are Today’s Strands Answers?

Spoiler alert! Don’t scroll any further down the page until you’re ready to find out today’s Strands answers.

I’ll first tell you the spangram and show you where that is on the grid. I’ll then tell you the other words and show you how they fit in.

This is your final warning!

Today’s Strands spangram is...

Here’s where you’ll find it on the grid...

New York Times Strands screenshot, showing the highlighted term HILARIOUS.

The rest of today’s Strands theme words are...

Here’s what the completed grid looks like...

Completed Strands grid for April 1, featuring the words CHUCKLE, TITTER, GUFFAW, HILARIOUS, ROAR, ... [+] LAUGH, HOOT and CHORTLE.

I had no trouble at all with today's game, I'm pleased to say.

I spotted GUFFAW at the top right, then TITTER right next to it. CHUCKLE at the top left was next. That meant the spangram had to run from side to side.

I found HOOT next, then the spangram. That isolated ROAR on the left, then I discovered LAUGH and CHORTLE to seal the win.

I used no hints and the spangram was the fifth theme word I found.

That’s all there is to it for today’s Strands clues and answers. Be sure to check my blog for hints and the solution for Tuesday’s game if you need them.

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Bay Shore case shows we must confront sexual abuse in schools

The allegations against teacher Thomas Bernagozzi, of the Bay Shore school district, are troubling and a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our children within the educational system. Credit: James Carbone

Recent reports of sexual abuse cases involving educators have once again brought the issue of safeguarding our children to the forefront of public discourse. Allegations against individuals like retired teacher Thomas Bernagozzi of the Bay Shore school district, and countless others nationwide, make clear we must address the systemic failures that allow such misconduct to occur and persist.

The allegations against Bernagozzi are troubling and a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our children within the educational system. Schools should be places of safety, trust, and growth; when those entrusted with our children’s education and well-being betray that trust, the repercussions are profound and long-lasting.

It is essential that we acknowledge the courage of survivors who come forward to share their stories, often in the face of skepticism and institutional resistance. Their bravery underscores the urgency for comprehensive reforms in how schools prevent, respond to, and address instances of sexual abuse.

First and foremost, accountability must be at the forefront of any response. Institutions must conduct thorough and impartial investigations into allegations of abuse, and perpetrators must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. This includes not only criminal prosecution but also civil remedies.

This guest essay reflects the views of Ralph Kohl, a graduate of Bay Shore schools, former state Assembly staff member, and government affairs professional specializing in health care in Alexandria, Virginia.

We also must prioritize prevention through education and training for educators, students, and parents. This includes fostering open dialogue about boundaries, consent, and healthy relationships from an early age, as well as implementing robust policies and procedures for reporting and addressing instances of misconduct.

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Beyond individual cases, we must also confront the broader cultural and systemic factors that enable sexual abuse to occur unchecked. This includes challenging harmful power dynamics, dismantling barriers to reporting, and fostering a culture of accountability and transparency within schools.

Ultimately, confronting sexual abuse in schools requires a collective effort from educators, administrators, lawmakers, and the broader community. It is incumbent on all of us to stand in solidarity with survivors, to demand accountability from those in positions of power, and to work tirelessly to ensure that every child has the right to learn and thrive in an environment free from fear and harm.

One of the most concerning aspects in Bay Shore is the apparent repetition of mistakes by the current administration, mirroring the mishandlings of past cases. By not believing their former students, victim-shaming, and failing to accept accountability, administrators not only undermine the trust of current students and parents but also send a chilling message that victims will not be believed or supported if they come forward with allegations of abuse.

This perpetuates an environment of fear, silence, and mistrust, further entrenching the barriers that prevent survivors from seeking justice and healing. Educational leaders must break this cycle of impunity and indifference by prioritizing the voices and experiences of survivors, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability and ensuring that every student feels empowered and supported to speak out against abuse. That’s how we can begin to rebuild trust, safeguard our children, and create safer learning environments for all.

It is time for the superintendent and school board to demonstrate courage and integrity by admitting the failures of the district, addressing them, and ensuring that survivors receive the support and justice they deserve. Anything less is a betrayal of trust and a grave disservice to the victims and their families, many of whom reside and have children in the district.

This guest essay reflects the views of Ralph Kohl, a graduate of Bay Shore schools and executive director of the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety in Alexandria, Virginia.

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Security Forces Clash With Pro-Palestinian Protesters in Jordan, Video Shows

Protesters gathered near the Israeli embassy in Amman, the capital, calling for the country to cancel its agreements with Israel.

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By Cassandra Vinograd

• March 27, 2024

Security forces clashed with large crowds of pro-Palestinian protesters near Israel’s embassy in the Jordanian capital on Tuesday night, video recorded by The Associated Press and Reuters showed.

It was the third consecutive day that demonstrations in support of Palestinians under Israeli bombardment in Gaza have taken place near the embassy in Amman, Jordan’s capital.

The protesters carried Palestinian flags and marched toward the embassy, chanting “betrayal” in Arabic and calling on Jordan’s government to cancel its agreements with Israel.

Footage showed the security forces dispersing the crowds and arresting protesters.

Israel and Jordan maintain a crucial regional alliance, and the kingdom is the custodian of the Aqsa compound in Jerusalem, a key holy site that is often a source of disputes and conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

But more than 2.3 million registered Palestinian refugees live in Jordan — a population slightly larger than that of the Gaza Strip. And Jordan’s leaders have been increasingly critical of Israel since the war in Gaza began. Amid a dire humanitarian crisis in the enclave, Jordan began airdropping aid in November. It has completed more than a dozen missions since.

Our Coverage of the Israel-Hamas War

News and Analysis

Although the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution that demands an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, it remains to be seen whether ​i​t ​w​ill have a concrete effect on the war .

Israeli troops and Hamas fighters waged deadly battles in and around two of the Gaza Strip’s major hospitals as the Israeli government came under growing pressure at home and abroad to moderate its approach to the war .

As the death toll in Gaza mounts, officials in Germany, a loyal Israel ally, begin to shift tone in a country where supporting Israel is seen as a historic duty. The worsening crisis has pushed them to ask whether that backing has gone too far .

A new Gallup poll showed that a majority of Americans disapprove of Israel’s action in Gaza.

Internal Roil at TikTok: TikTok has been dogged for months by accusations that its app has shown a disproportionate amount of pro-Palestinian and antisemitic content to users. Some of the same tensions  have also played out inside the company.

Palestinian Detainees: Israel has imprisoned more than 9,000 Palestinians suspected of militant activity . Rights groups say that some have been abused or held without charges.

A Hostage’s Account: Amit Soussana, an Israeli lawyer, is the first former hostage to speak publicly about being sexually assaulted  during captivity in Gaza.

A Power Vacuum: Since the start of the war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has done little to address the power vacuum that would appear after Israeli forces leave Gaza. The risks of inaction are already apparent in Gaza City .

Word of the Day

What it means.

Expiate is a formal word that typically means “to atone or make amends for something, such as a sin or offense.”

// Although the editorial had characterized the mayor's failure to disclose the details of the meeting as a lapse that could not be expiated , many of the city's citizens seemed ready to forgive all.

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expiate in Context

“Godzilla has long been seen as a symbolic representation of the nuclear devastation that Japan suffered, and that theme is evident here as well. But Godzilla Minus One adds a more personal dimension in the form of Koichi’s lingering trauma; the only way he thinks he’ll be able to expiate his guilt is by destroying the monster.” — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter , 1 Dec. 2023

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If you need to expiate something—that is, to atone for it—it’s sure to be something you recognize you shouldn’t have done. People expiate crimes, sins, transgressions, and the like in various ways, such as by apologizing or trying to undo damage they’ve caused. The word comes from the Latin verb expiare (“to atone for”), a combination of ex- and piare , which itself means “to atone for” as well as “to appease.” ( Piare comes from pius , meaning “faithful, pious.”) The current use of expiate dates to the early 1600s, and in the early 1500s expiate could mean something else entirely: “to put an end to.” Shakespeare used it this way in Sonnet 22: “But when in thee time’s furrows I behold, / Then look I death my days should expiate.” Later, expiate was a synonym of avert , as in this biblical prophecy: “Disaster shall fall upon you, which you will not be able to expiate” (Isaiah 47:11, RSV ). Vestiges of these literary uses still cling to the word, which is most often found in formal, quasi-literary contexts.

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Fill in the blanks to complete a word for the act of making amends: r _ _ a r _ _ i _ _.

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