Show, showed, or shown?
How should you know when to use showed vs. shown?
| Word | Sentences |
|---|---|
| showed | I could forgive him for what he did if he showed some remorse. |
| shown | They’ve shown this scene before. |
Starting off with a definition, the irregular verb ‘show‘ describes ‘if something shows that a state of affairs exists, it gives information that proves it or makes it clear to people.’ As in, ‘research shows that a high-fibre diet may protect you from bowel cancer‘ (third-person present singular).
The word show can also refer to a noun meaning “a play or other stage performance, especially a musical”. More commonly, people refer to a television show as simply a show.
Forms of “show”
| present | past | future | |
|---|---|---|---|
| simple | I show | I showed | I will show |
| continuous | I am showing | I was showing | I will be showing |
| perfect | I have shown | I had shown | I will have shown |
| perfect continuous | I have been showing | I had been showing | I will have been showing |
“Showed” / “shown”, used in sentences
| Word | Sentences |
|---|---|
| showed |
Our research showed us that women were more interested in their health than men.
He showed me his collection. I showed you that photo yesterday. |
| shown |
We’d shown up exactly on time.
He’d shown up with roses and an apology that he had clearly memorized in his head. The drama will be shown on American TV. The documentary has been shown in festivals around the world. |
“Showed” is used like “played” (simple past), while “shown” needs a helper verb like “has” or “was” (present perfect).
Synonyms and idioms
| Word | Similar words |
|---|---|
| show | prove, present, demonstrate, display, illustrate, sketch out |
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| show of hands | a method of voting or indicating agreement by raising one’s hand. |
| show the ropes | to teach someone how to do a job or task |
| show off | to open yourself to a variety of options |
| show someone the door | to ask someone to leave or to dismiss them. |
| show the way | to guide or lead someone in the right direction |
| to show no mercy | to be extremely harsh or unforgiving. |
| go to show | to demonstrate or prove something |
| to show one’s true colors | to reveal one’s true character or intentions |
| show-stopper | something that is particularly impressive, captivating or stunning |
| show business | i.e., the entertainment industry, particularly theatre and television |
| to show a clean pair of heels | to run away or escape quickly |
Origin of the word/verb show
Middle English sheuen, from Old English sceawian “to look at, see, gaze, behold, observe; inspect, examine; look for, choose,” from Proto-Germanic skauwojanan from Proto-Germanic root skau- “behold, look at,” from PIE skou-, variant of root *keu- “to see, observe, perceive.”
Other irregular verbs
| Types of verbs & verb tenses | what’s the past tense of …? |
|---|---|
| forms of ‘to be’ | … seek? |
| auxiliary verbs | … teach? |
| present tense | … catch? |
| future tense | … buy? |
| past tense | … read? |
| perfect tense | … draw? |
| transitive vs. intransitive | … drive? |
| participles | … throw? |
| irregular verbs | … lead? |
| modals | … win? |
Practice: “Show” conjugations
She me her new painting yesterday.
The company has great progress this year.
If you your ticket at the door, you’ll get a free popcorn. (Movie night!)
The results were to the class by the teacher.
He great courage under pressure.
FAQs
When do I use ‘showed’?
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When do I use ‘shown’?
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What’s the difference? Shown vs showed?
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Is the verb ‘show’ regular?
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Can I use ‘showed’ with ‘has’?
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Sources
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1. Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of show.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/show. Accessed 7 March, 2023.
Yash, D. "Showed or Shown? (Which is the Right Word?)." Grammarflex, Aug 24, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/showed-or-shown/.
