Another Word for This: 60+ Alternatives for Essays, Emails, and Everyday Writing

So this guide covers both: replacements for the word itself, and replacements for the phrases that usually follow it (this shows, this means, this proves, this states, this is important, this is because). Every list is grouped by meaning, so you can pick the word that fits instead of grabbing the first thesaurus result.

Quick Answer: Best Another Word for This

If your sentence says…	Try one of these instead
This (pointing back to an idea)	This finding, this trend, this pattern, such a result, the former
This shows	demonstrates, illustrates, reveals, indicates
This means	implies, suggests, signifies, translates to
This proves	confirms, establishes, verifies, substantiates
This states	says, notes, specifies, asserts, declares
This is important	matters, is significant, is essential, is critical
This is because	due to, owing to, stems from, results from

If you only need a fast swap, use the table. If you want to know which option is safest for an essay, a work email, or a research paper, keep reading.

Why “This” Is Tricky to Replace

“This” is a demonstrative pronoun, along with that, these, and those. It stands in for something you already mentioned. Writing centers point out that it works best when a noun follows it, because the noun tells the reader exactly which idea you mean (Illinois Wesleyan Writing Center). Scribbr adds that the antecedent (the thing “this” refers to) must be clear, especially in academic writing (Scribbr).

That is why the best “other word for this” is often not a synonym at all. It is the specific noun you were pointing at.

Another Word for “This” Itself

When “this” refers back to something, use one of these:

Replace with a specific noun phrase (best option)

• this finding
• this result
• this trend
• this pattern
• this approach
• this evidence
• this development
• this shift

Replace with a different pointer word

• the above
• the latter
• the former
• such (as in “such a result”)
• the present (as in “the present study”)
• the current (as in “the current situation”)
• it (when the reference is obvious)

Replace by restructuring

• Join the two sentences with a transition: which, as a result, consequently
• Start with the subject: The decline in sales… instead of This…

Another Word for “This Shows”

“Shows” is not wrong. It is clear, and it works in almost any essay. The problem is repetition. These alternatives let you vary your wording while keeping the meaning accurate.

Neutral replacements

• indicates
• reveals
• displays
• presents
• points to
• signals

Analytical replacements (strong for essays)

• demonstrates
• illustrates
• highlights
• underscores
• exemplifies
• reflects
• conveys

Cautious replacements (when evidence is suggestive, not conclusive)

• suggests
• implies
• hints at
• lends support to
• appears to show
• is consistent with

The strength ladder (our framework)

Choose the verb that matches how strong your evidence is.

Strength	Verbs	Use when
Weak / tentative	suggests, hints at, implies	You are interpreting, or evidence is limited
Medium	indicates, shows, reflects, highlights	The evidence is clear but not final
Strong	demonstrates, reveals, illustrates	You have direct evidence or a clear example
Very strong	proves, confirms, establishes, verifies	The evidence leaves almost no room for doubt

Picking “proves” when you only have a single example is the most common overreach in student essays.

Another word for “this shows that”

Add that only with verbs that take a clause:

• this demonstrates that
• this indicates that
• this reveals that
• this suggests that
• this implies that
• this confirms that

Illustrates and highlights usually take a direct object instead: This illustrates the risk, not This illustrates that the risk… (the second is acceptable but wordier).

What Is Another Word for “This Shows” in an Essay?

In essays, “this shows” often appears right after evidence. The writer drops in a quote or statistic, then writes “This shows…” to explain it. Your analysis sentence has to do more than repeat the evidence, so choose a verb that describes what the evidence does.

Examples

Original	Stronger version
This shows that the author distrusts power.	This suggests the author distrusts power.
This shows how climate change affects crops.	This illustrates how climate change affects crops.
This shows the policy failed.	This demonstrates that the policy failed.
This shows a link between sleep and grades.	This indicates a link between sleep and grades.

Another word for “this quote shows”

When analyzing a quote or passage, these verbs describe what language is doing:

• the quote conveys
• the quote captures
• the quote reveals
• the quote emphasizes
• the quote reinforces
• the quote suggests
• the passage implies
• the author’s phrasing underscores

Notice the second version also explains how. That is where essay marks are usually earned.

Another Word for “This Means”

• implies
• signifies
• suggests
• indicates
• translates to
• amounts to
• entails
• points to
• in other words
• put differently
• that is

Another word for “this means” in an essay

Academic writing tends to favor implies, suggests, signifies, and entails.

• Implies: the meaning is hinted at, not stated. This implies that the company expected a loss.
• Entails: the meaning follows as a necessary result. This entails higher costs for consumers.
• Signifies: the meaning is symbolic or representative. The closed door signifies isolation.

Another Word for “This Proves”

• confirms
• establishes
• verifies
• validates
• substantiates
• demonstrates
• corroborates
• settles
• bears out
• supports (a softer option)

Another Word for “This States”

Use this list when “this” refers to a document, law, article, sign, or speaker.

• says
• notes
• specifies
• asserts
• declares
• claims
• argues
• explains
• outlines
• stipulates (for contracts and rules)
• indicates

Examples

• This policy states that all visitors must sign in. → This policy specifies that all visitors must sign in.
• This article states that sales dropped. → This article reports that sales dropped.

Another Word for “This Is Important” and “This Matters in an Essay”

Adjective alternatives

• significant
• crucial
• essential
• vital
• critical
• key
• fundamental
• noteworthy
• consequential
• worth noting

Verb alternatives

• matters
• carries weight
• stands out
• cannot be overlooked
• deserves attention

That small change does more for an essay than any thesaurus swap.

Another Word for “This Is Because”

• due to
• owing to
• stems from
• results from
• is the result of
• can be attributed to
• is explained by
• is driven by
• arises from
• follows from
• given that
• since

“This Is Another Word for Average”: What Are the Options?

If you came across a clue or prompt that reads “this is another word for average,” these words are common matches:

• mean
• norm
• par
• median
• typical
• standard
• ordinary
• midpoint
• medium
• middling

How to Choose the Right Word: A 4-Step Workflow

1. Find what “this” points to. If you cannot name it in two or three words, the sentence may be unclear.
2. Decide the job of the sentence. Are you showing evidence, interpreting it, or drawing a conclusion?
3. Match the verb to your evidence. Use the strength ladder above.
4. Read it aloud and check the grammar. Make sure the verb takes the structure you used (that clause or direct object).

Before and After Examples

Example 1: Essay analysis

• Before: “The sky was dark.” This shows that the mood is sad.
• After: “The sky was dark.” This imagery conveys a somber mood and foreshadows the loss to come.

Example 2: Business email

• Before: This shows that we need more staff.
• After: These numbers indicate that we need more staff on weekends.

Example 3: Research paper

• Before: This proves that the drug works.
• After: These results support the conclusion that the drug reduces symptoms.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Another Word for This

• Swapping words that change the meaning. “Shows” and “proves” are not equals. Neither are “suggests” and “confirms.”
• Starting too many sentences with “This.” Vary your openers or attach a noun every time.
• Using “reveals” for obvious facts. Reveals implies something was hidden.
• Forgetting grammar. Some verbs need that and others do not.
• Over-varying. Repeating one clear word is better than cycling through vague synonyms that confuse the reader.

FAQs About Another Word for This

What’s another word for “this”?

The most useful replacement is a specific noun: this result, this trend, this idea. When you need a pointer word, try the above, the latter, such, or the present.

Can I start a sentence with “this” in academic writing?

Yes, as long as the reader can tell what “this” refers to. Adding a noun after it (This approach, This finding) removes the risk of confusion.

What is another word for “this shows” that sounds more academic?

Demonstrates, illustrates, indicates, and underscores are all common in academic prose. Pick based on how strong your evidence is.

Is “this shows” too basic for an essay?

No. It is clear and correct. It just becomes weak when repeated or when it simply restates the evidence without analysis. Vary it and add the “why.”

What is the difference between “demonstrates” and “illustrates”?

Demonstrates suggests the evidence proves a point. Illustrates suggests the evidence gives an example or picture of the point. Use illustrates for examples and demonstrates for firmer evidence.

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