On this slide

You usually place this phrase at the very beginning of a sentence. It sets the stage for the specific detail you want to highlight. For example, you might say, On this slide, you can see our growth over the last quarter. It is often followed by a comma when writing, though in speech, you just take a tiny breath. You can also use it in the middle of a thought to refocus the group. If someone asks a question, you can say, "Actually, the answer is right here on this slide." It works perfectly with verbs like see, notice, highlight, and observe. Think of it as a transition. You are moving from a general concept to a specific visual proof. In modern settings, this is used constantly in webinars and online workshops. When you share your screen, on this slide is the most natural way to direct attention. It's much smoother than saying "Look at the thingy I'm clicking on." You can also use it when referring back to something: "As I mentioned on this slide, our budget is tight."

This phrase is the "Goldilocks" of presentation English—it is just right for almost any situation. It is neutral enough for a casual TikTok tutorial but professional enough for a high-stakes board meeting. In a very formal academic setting, you might use it to explain complex data. In a tech startup, you'll hear it during every "All Hands" meeting. It isn't slang, so you don't have to worry about sounding too young or unprofessional. However, it isn't "stiff" either. You won't sound like a robot from the 1950s. It sits comfortably in the middle of the register spectrum. If you want to sound even more formal, you might say "As illustrated in the current visual." But honestly? On this slide is usually better. It is clear and everyone understands it immediately. Even if you are presenting to your friends about why your favorite video game is the best, on this slide adds a funny layer of "officialness" to your argument. It shows you put in the effort to make a deck, so use the phrase with pride!

Let's look at how this pops up in the wild. You're watching a Netflix documentary about space. The scientist says, On this slide, we have a composite image of a black hole. It sounds authoritative. Or you're in a university lecture. The professor points to a wall of text and says, On this slide, I've listed the three main causes of the war. It helps you take better notes. Think about a YouTuber doing a "Green Screen" video. They point over their shoulder and say, On this slide, you'll see the comments that made me lose my mind. It's a way to integrate digital content into a human conversation. Even in the gaming world, during a strategy stream, a player might pull up a map and say, On this slide, I've marked the best spots for sniping. It is ubiquitous because it works. It’s like the "Check this out" of the professional world. If you use it during a job interview presentation, it shows you have "soft skills" and understand how to communicate clearly. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a firm handshake—simple but tells people you know what you’re doing.

The best time to use on this slide is the moment you switch to a new visual. It helps the audience reset their focus. Use it when you are about to explain a complicated graph. Use it when there is a quote you want everyone to read along with you. It is also great for "virtual pointing" when you don't have a physical laser pointer. If you are presenting on Google Meet or Microsoft Teams, your audience can't see your finger pointing at your monitor. Your words have to do the work. On this slide tells them to look for the visual evidence. It’s also useful for emphasizing a key takeaway. "The most important point on this slide is our customer satisfaction rate." It signals to the audience that they should probably write this part down. It’s a great tool for managing the "cognitive load" of your listeners. You are helping them process information by breaking it down into manageable chunks. Plus, it makes you look like you didn't just throw the presentation together five minutes before the meeting started (even if you did).

Don't use on this slide if you are talking about a physical handout or a book. In those cases, you would say "on this page." Also, try not to say it for every single sentence. If you say it twenty times in five minutes, your audience will start counting and stop listening to your actual message. It becomes a "verbal tic." Only use it when you are actually directing attention to the slide itself. If you are just sharing a personal story that has nothing to do with the visual, skip the phrase. Another "no-go" zone is when you are showing a video. Usually, we say "In this clip" or "In this video." Using on this slide for a movie might confuse people. And obviously, don't use it in a normal conversation at a bar. If you tell your friend, "On this slide, I'll explain why I'm breaking up with you," you are either a comedic genius or a very strange person. Keep it for when there’s actually a screen involved!

The most frequent error is using the wrong preposition. You'll often hear in this slide, but that's not quite right. Think of the slide as a surface, like a table. We put things on a surface. Another mistake is saying at this slide. While people will understand you, it sounds a bit "off" to a native speaker. Then there's the "too many words" mistake. Avoid saying If you look at the information that I have placed on this slide here. It’s too long! Just say on this slide. Short and punchy is always better. Some learners also confuse slide with page. Remember: slides are for projectors and screens; pages are for books and PDFs. ✗ In this slide you see → ✓ On this slide, you'll see. ✗ On this page of the presentation → ✓ On this slide. Another funny mistake is saying under this slide. Unless there is a secret message hidden beneath the projector screen, you probably mean on. Keep it simple, keep it on, and you’ll be fine.

If you get bored of saying the same thing, you have options! As shown here is a great alternative that feels a bit more visual. Take a look at this is more informal and engaging. For a more data-heavy presentation, you might use This graphic illustrates... or This chart demonstrates.... If you want to be very direct, try I've highlighted [X] on this slide. In a casual Zoom chat, you might just say Right here, you can see.... If you are moving through a lot of slides quickly, you can say Moving to this slide.... Each variation has a slightly different flavor. On this slide is the reliable, classic version. As you can see here is the friendly, conversational version. This visual represents is the high-level corporate version. You can mix and match them so you don't sound repetitive. It’s like having different outfits for the same person—they all do the same job, but they change the mood slightly. Just don't use "As you can see" if the text is too small to read, or your audience will just get annoyed!

Is on this slide too formal for a school project? Not at all! It's perfectly fine for students. In fact, it makes you look like you've really prepared your talk. Your teacher will likely be impressed by your clear signposting. Can I use it for a PDF? If you are presenting the PDF on a screen during a meeting, yes. People often treat PDF pages like slides during virtual presentations. If people are reading it on their own, it's better to use "on this page." Why do we say on and not in? We treat digital screens like surfaces. Just like we say on TV or on the internet, we say on a slide. It’s a convention of the English language. Does it sound okay in British English too? Absolutely. This phrase is a global standard for presentations in English-speaking countries. Whether you're in New York, London, or Sydney, on this slide is your best friend. What if I have multiple things on one slide? You can say On the left of this slide or At the bottom of this slide to be even more specific. This helps your audience navigate the visual space even better. It’s all about being a helpful guide for your listeners!