Collocations with SHOW
- Have you ever felt unsure whether to say you “made” a show of support or “gave” a show of support?
- Do you know the difference between “showing up” and “showing off” in a professional setting?
- Are you looking for more sophisticated ways to describe data than just saying “the graph shows”?
Mastering show collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. In English, the word “show” is a high-frequency term that changes its meaning depending on the words surrounding it. By learning these natural pairings, you reduce cognitive load—meaning you spend less time translating in your head and more time speaking with confidence and accuracy.
Common Collocations with SHOW as a Verb
Showing Emotions and Attitudes
In social interactions, “show” is frequently paired with abstract nouns to describe how we express our feelings.
- Show interest: To demonstrate that you are curious or concerned. (e.g., “He didn’t show much interest in the new project.”)
- Show respect: To act in a way that acknowledges someone’s value. (e.g., “It is important to show respect to your elders.”)
- Show appreciation: To express gratitude. (e.g., “The company gave bonuses to show appreciation for the staff’s hard work.”)
- Show courage: To act bravely in a difficult situation. (e.g., “She showed great courage during the crisis.”)
Showing Evidence and Data
In academic and professional contexts, “show” helps describe results and indicators.
- Show signs of: To display evidence that something is happening. (e.g., “The economy is showing signs of recovery.”)
- Show results: To produce a visible effect or outcome. (e.g., “Our new marketing strategy is finally showing results.”)
- Clearly show: To make something obvious or easy to understand. (e.g., “The latest figures clearly show a drop in sales.”)
- Show promise: To indicate potential for future success. (e.g., “The young athlete shows a lot of promise.”)
Guidance and Movement
These collocations involve directing someone’s attention or physical presence.
- Show someone the way: To lead or direct someone. (e.g., “Could you please show me the way to the station?”)
- Show someone around: To give a tour of a place. (e.g., “Let me show you around the new office.”)
- Show someone to their seat: To lead a person to where they will sit. (e.g., “The usher showed us to our seats.”)
Essential Collocations using SHOW as a Noun
Types of Entertainment and Events
In the world of media and events, “show” acts as a countable noun referring to a performance.
- Reality show: A television program featuring unscripted real-life situations. (e.g., “He became famous after appearing on a reality show.”)
- Chat show (UK) / Talk show (US): A program where guests are interviewed. (e.g., “The actor promoted his movie on a popular talk show.”)
- Fashion show: An event where clothes are displayed on models. (e.g., “Paris is famous for its annual fashion shows.”)
- Floor show: Entertainment provided in a nightclub or restaurant. (e.g., “The hotel offers a floor show every Friday night.”)
Expressions of Behavior and Control
These collocations describe how people manage situations or display their power.
- Run the show: To be the person in charge of an organization or activity. (e.g., “Don’t worry, Sarah is the one who runs the show here.”)
- Put on a show: To perform or to make an effort to be seen doing something. (e.g., “They put on a great show for the visitors.”)
- Steal the show: To get all the attention and praise. (e.g., “The youngest dancer stole the show with her solo.”)
- A show of hands: A vote or poll taken by people raising their hands. (e.g., “By a show of hands, how many people agree?”)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Show promise | Verb + Noun | To have potential for success |
| Show respect | Verb + Noun | To be polite and considerate |
| Run the show | Verb + Noun | To be in control of a situation |
| Talk show | Noun + Noun | A broadcast interview program |
| Show around | Verb + Preposition | To give a tour of a location |
| Show signs of | Verb Phrase | To exhibit evidence of something |
| Steal the show | Verb + Noun | To attract the most attention |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Give a show of interest | Show interest |
| Make a show of hands | By a show of hands |
| The graph says that… | The graph shows that… |
| Do a show (for an event) | Put on a show |
| He showed to be honest. | He proved to be honest (or) He showed honesty. |
Contextual Story
“When the new CEO arrived, she immediately wanted to run the show. During the first meeting, she showed great interest in our suggestions and asked for a show of hands to decide on the new office layout. Later that afternoon, I showed her around the facility. Even though she was the boss, she showed respect to everyone she met, which showed promise for a positive change in the company culture.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Show Collocations
What is the difference between ‘Show up’ and ‘Show off’?
“Show up” means to arrive at a place or an appointment (e.g., “He didn’t show up for work”). “Show off” means to behave in a way intended to attract attention or admiration, often in an annoying way (e.g., “Stop showing off your new watch”).
Is it ‘Show to’ or ‘Show for’?
Can I use ‘show’ for scientific data?
Yes, “show” is very common in science and academics. Pair it with adverbs for better precision: “The data clearly shows,” “The study consistently shows,” or “The evidence strongly shows.”
What does ‘Show your teeth’ mean?
This is an idiomatic collocation meaning to show that you are angry or capable of defending yourself, similar to how an animal growls. It is often used in political or business negotiations.
How do I use ‘Show’ with ‘Feelings’?
Common collocations include “show your true feelings” or “be afraid to show your feelings.” In English, we often “hide” or “mask” feelings as the opposite of “showing” them.
I just learned 'show a profit' in a business class. It means to make a profit. Is this a common use of 'show'?
Yes, Oscar, 'show a profit' (or 'show a loss') is a very common and standard collocation in business and finance! It means to report or record a profit (or loss). It's an excellent example of how 'show' can be used in a more technical, reporting sense. Well done on learning it!
This article is really useful for my advanced students. I often find them struggling with collocations of high-frequency verbs. I'd love more articles like this focusing on other common verbs like 'make' or 'take'!
Thank you for the wonderful suggestion, Maria! We're delighted to hear this article resonates with your advanced students. We agree that high-frequency verb collocations are crucial. Your ideas for articles on 'make' and 'take' are excellent and have been noted for future content development. We appreciate your input!
I'm always looking for ways to sound more natural. 'Show respect' and 'show courage' are great examples. What about negative emotions? Can you 'show anger' or 'show sadness'?
Great question, Kenji! Yes, you absolutely can 'show anger' or 'show sadness.' These are very natural collocations. Other similar examples include 'show frustration,' 'show disappointment,' or 'show fear.' Just like with positive emotions, 'show' is a versatile verb for expressing internal states externally. Keep up the excellent work!
This article is a gem! I often mix up 'show' with 'present' or 'demonstrate.' This helps clarify when to use 'show' for emotions and attitudes. Are there any specific situations where 'show' is better than 'demonstrate'?
Thanks for the kind words, Chloe! You've hit on a key nuance. While 'demonstrate' implies a more deliberate or tangible display (e.g., 'demonstrate a skill,' 'demonstrate a product'), 'show' is often preferred for more abstract or subtle expressions, especially with emotions and attitudes ('show interest,' 'show courage'). Think of 'demonstrate' as a more active, intentional presentation. Good thinking!
I appreciate the focus on reducing cognitive load. That's exactly my struggle! I'm curious about 'show someone the ropes.' Is that a formal or informal collocation, and how common is it?
Excellent question, Diego! 'Show someone the ropes' is a very common idiom meaning to teach someone how to do a new job or task. It's generally considered informal to semi-formal, perfectly acceptable in most workplace or social settings, but perhaps not in highly formal written documents. It's a fantastic phrase to add to your vocabulary!
This is so helpful! I always thought 'show off' meant just showing your skills, but the article implies it can be negative in a professional setting. Is it always negative or can it be neutral sometimes?
That's a great point, Sofia. While 'show off' often carries a negative connotation, implying arrogance or excessive display of skills, it's not *always* negative. For example, 'The new car really shows off its sleek design' is neutral. However, when applied to people, especially in a professional setting without a clear purpose, it usually suggests an attempt to impress in an annoying way. Context is key!
Fantastic article! I'm trying to improve my vocabulary for IELTS, and collocations are always a challenge. The 'show interest' example is something I can definitely use in my speaking test. Thanks!
You're very welcome, Ben! Mastering collocations like 'show interest' is indeed invaluable for IELTS, as it demonstrates a more natural and sophisticated command of English. Keep practicing these pairings, and your scores will surely reflect your dedication!
The article mentioned 'more sophisticated ways to describe data than just saying 'the graph shows''. Could you give a few examples of these? I often present data at work and want to sound more professional.
Absolutely, Priya! To sound more sophisticated when describing data, you could use phrases like: 'The data indicates/reveals/suggests that...', 'The graph illustrates/depicts/demonstrates a trend...', or 'The figures highlight/point to...'. These alternatives add precision and variety to your presentations. Great question for professional development!
Is 'show a sign' a correct collocation? Like, 'The economy is showing a sign of recovery.' I hear it sometimes but want to be sure it's natural English.
You're spot on, Chayanne! 'Show a sign' (or 'show signs of...') is a perfectly natural and common collocation. Your example, 'The economy is showing a sign of recovery,' is excellent and widely used to indicate emerging evidence. Well done!
I never thought much about 'show' beyond its basic meaning. This article really opened my eyes to how much depth it has. I particularly liked the distinction between 'showing up' and 'showing off.' Very practical!
We're so glad, Elena! 'Show' is indeed one of those high-frequency words that hides a lot of linguistic richness. Understanding those subtle differences, especially in professional contexts, can make a huge impact on how you're perceived. Keep exploring!