Other Ways To Say This Shows

Beyond "This Shows": A Comprehensive Guide to Expressing Evidence and Findings

This article explores diverse and nuanced ways to express evidence and findings, moving beyond the overused phrase "this shows." We'll delve into alternatives suited for various contexts, from academic writing to casual conversation, focusing on precision and impact. Mastering these alternatives will significantly enhance your communication skills and make your arguments more compelling. This guide will cover synonyms, phrasal verbs, and entire sentence structures that effectively convey the meaning of "this shows," offering a rich vocabulary for expressing your ideas.

Understanding the Limitations of "This Shows"

While "this shows" is grammatically correct and easily understood, its overuse can lead to monotonous and uninspired writing. It lacks the precision and sophistication needed to convey the subtle nuances of evidence and its implications. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing seem simplistic and undermine the strength of your arguments. A richer vocabulary allows you to convey the weight of your evidence and the strength of your conclusions far more effectively.

Alternatives Categorized by Nuance

Let's explore alternatives, categorized by the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to select the phrase that most accurately reflects the relationship between your evidence and your conclusion.

Expressing a Clear and Direct Relationship:

• Indicates: This option is a straightforward synonym, suitable for most contexts. For example, "This indicates a strong correlation between the two variables."
• Suggests: This implies a less definitive conclusion, leaving room for further investigation. "The data suggests a potential link, but further research is needed."
• Demonstrates: This word implies a more forceful and conclusive presentation of evidence. "The experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of the new treatment."
• Reveals: This suggests that the evidence unveils something previously unknown or hidden. "The study reveals a surprising trend in consumer behavior."
• Highlights: This emphasizes a specific aspect of the evidence. "The report highlights the importance of early intervention."
• Illustrates: This implies the use of an example to support a point. "This case illustrates the potential dangers of ignoring safety regulations."
• Proves: This is a strong word, implying irrefutable evidence. Use it cautiously, as absolute proof is rare. "The DNA evidence proves his guilt."
• Confirms: This suggests that the evidence supports a pre-existing hypothesis or belief. "The results confirm our initial predictions."

Expressing a Tentative or Implied Relationship:

• Implies: This suggests an indirect connection, where the conclusion is not explicitly stated but can be inferred. "The increase in sales implies a successful marketing campaign."
• Points to: Similar to "implies," but slightly more direct. "The evidence points to a possible explanation for the phenomenon."
• Hints at: This suggests a weaker, more subtle connection. "The preliminary data hints at a new scientific discovery."
• Is consistent with: This phrase emphasizes the agreement between the evidence and a theory or hypothesis. "The findings are consistent with the existing literature."
• Supports the idea that: This is a more formal way of expressing a tentative relationship. "The research supports the idea that climate change is accelerating."

Expressing a Causal Relationship:

• Leads to: This directly connects the evidence to a consequence. "The lack of funding leads to a decline in educational quality."
• Results in: Similar to "leads to," but often implies a more immediate consequence. "Increased investment results in higher productivity."
• Causes: This expresses a direct causal link. "Smoking causes lung cancer." (Use with caution and ensure accurate evidence.)
• Contributes to: This suggests that the evidence is one factor among many contributing to an outcome. "Poor diet contributes to heart disease."

Alternatives Using Different Sentence Structures:

Instead of starting a sentence with "this shows," consider rephrasing your sentences to emphasize different aspects of your findings:

• "The data clearly indicate..." This emphasizes the clarity and strength of the evidence.
• "A significant finding of this study is..." This directs attention to the most important result.
• "It is evident from these results that..." This reinforces the obviousness of the conclusion.
• "These findings strongly suggest that..." This emphasizes the strength of the suggestion.
• "The evidence supports the hypothesis that..." This connects the findings to a pre-existing hypothesis.
• "Based on these results, we conclude that..." This explicitly states the conclusion drawn from the evidence.
• "In light of this evidence, it is reasonable to assume that..." This suggests a logical inference based on the evidence.
• "Our analysis reveals a correlation between..." This emphasizes the process of analysis and its outcome.
• "Further investigation into this phenomenon is warranted, as it suggests..." This indicates a need for further study.

Choosing the Right Alternative

The optimal alternative to "this shows" depends on several factors:

• The strength of the evidence: Use stronger verbs for stronger evidence, and weaker verbs for weaker evidence.
• The context of your writing: Formal writing requires more precise and sophisticated language than informal writing.
• Your intended audience: Consider your audience's level of understanding and adjust your language accordingly.
• The specific point you're trying to make: Each alternative subtly shifts the emphasis and connotation.

Examples in Context

Let's illustrate the different alternatives with practical examples:

Scenario 1: Analyzing Sales Data

• Weak: "This shows that sales increased after the marketing campaign."
• Stronger: "The marketing campaign resulted in a significant increase in sales." (Causality)
• Stronger: "The data clearly indicate a positive correlation between the marketing campaign and sales growth." (Clarity and strength of evidence)

Scenario 2: Presenting Research Findings

• Weak: "This shows that the new drug is effective."
• Stronger: "The clinical trials demonstrate the efficacy of the new drug." (Forceful presentation)
• Stronger: "Our research confirms the effectiveness of the new drug, as evidenced by..." (Confirmation of a hypothesis)

Scenario 3: Interpreting Survey Results

• Weak: "This shows that most respondents prefer option A."
• Stronger: "The survey results reveal a clear preference for option A among respondents." (Unveiling something previously unknown)
• Stronger: "The survey data suggests a strong preference for option A, although further research is needed to understand why." (Tentative conclusion)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is it ever okay to use "this shows"?

A: While not inherently wrong, overuse weakens your writing. Use it sparingly, and only when other, more precise options don't fit the context.

Q: How can I avoid sounding repetitive when discussing evidence?

A: Vary your vocabulary and sentence structure. Utilize the different alternatives suggested above and explore synonyms for related terms within your research or argument.

Q: What if my evidence is inconclusive?

A: Use verbs that reflect uncertainty, such as "suggests," "hints at," or "implies." Be transparent about the limitations of your evidence.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Communication

Replacing "this shows" with more nuanced alternatives dramatically improves your writing clarity and persuasiveness. By consciously choosing words that precisely reflect the strength and nature of your evidence, you can strengthen your arguments, engage your audience, and leave a lasting impression. This guide provides a diverse range of options to help you move beyond simple statements of fact and effectively communicate the depth and complexity of your findings. Remember to practice and incorporate these alternatives into your writing to refine your communication skills and become a more effective communicator. The careful selection of vocabulary is crucial for clear, impactful, and engaging communication.