Meaning & use
show
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive
To let someone see something, or to make it clear by displaying or demonstrating it.
Grammar: Takes an object, often two: show someone something or show something to someone.
Patterns
- show someone something
- show something to someone
- show someone how to do something
Show me your ticket, please.
Can you show me how to use this app?
The photos show the damage clearly.
verbintransitive
To be visible or to appear.
Grammar: No object: the stain shows.
Her disappointment showed on her face.
The scar hardly shows now.
verbtransitive
To prove or make something clear through facts or results.
Grammar: Often takes that: the study shows that sleep matters.
Patterns
- show that something is true
- show something to be something
Research shows that regular walking improves mood.
The results show a steady rise in sales.
nouncountable
A television or radio program, or a public performance such as a play or concert.
Grammar: Countable: a good show, two shows.
Patterns
- a show about something
We watched a cooking show last night.
The show starts at eight.
nouncountable
A public event where things are displayed or compared, such as a flower or car show.
Grammar: Often a modifier: a flower show, a dog show.
They won a prize at the county flower show.
The auto show draws thousands of visitors.
nounsingular
An outward display of a feeling or quality, sometimes false.
Grammar: Usually singular with a: a show of strength.
Patterns
- a show of something
The soldiers made a show of force.
He put on a show of calm, though he was nervous.
Word forms
| third person singular | shows |
|---|---|
| past tense | showed |
| past participle | shown |
| -ing form | showing |
| plural | shows |
Common combinations
- show an interest
- He showed an interest in painting.
- show signs of
- The bridge shows signs of wear.
- TV show
- Her favorite TV show was cancelled.
- put on a show
- The kids put on a show for their parents.
- show up
- Two guests didn't show up.
Synonyms and how they differ
- display
- Display suggests arranging something so people can look at it, and is more formal than show.
- demonstrate
- Demonstrate means to show how something works or to prove it, and is more formal than show.
- reveal
- Reveal means to uncover something that was hidden.
- performance
- Performance is the more formal word for a show on a stage.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: show or shown?
show vs shown
Shown is the past participle: it has been shown. Showed is the past tense: she showed me.
Practice
The teacher ___ us how to solve the problem yesterday.
Choose one answer.
Yesterday needs the simple past, showed. Shown is only the participle and needs has or have.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “show”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.