Meaning
To make something clear or evident, to show or demonstrate it.
Cultural Background
In Spain, this phrase is ubiquitous in political debates on TV. It is used as a 'weapon' to present one's interpretation of events as an objective reality. In Mexican high-level journalism (like in the newspaper Reforma), this phrase is used to lend a sense of intellectual rigor to investigative pieces. Argentine speakers, known for their love of expressive and sometimes sophisticated language, use this in academic and psychological circles frequently. In many business environments across the continent, using this phrase instead of 'mostrar' can help a speaker sound more 'ejecutivo' (executive-like).
The 'Report' Rule
If you are writing a report, use 'poner de manifiesto' at least once to instantly boost your grade or professional image.
Gender Trap
Never say 'de manifiesta'. It is a fixed adverbial phrase. It doesn't care about the gender of your nouns!
Meaning
To make something clear or evident, to show or demonstrate it.
The 'Report' Rule
If you are writing a report, use 'poner de manifiesto' at least once to instantly boost your grade or professional image.
Gender Trap
Never say 'de manifiesta'. It is a fixed adverbial phrase. It doesn't care about the gender of your nouns!
Passive Power
Use 'Queda de manifiesto que...' to sound even more objective and detached, which is great for scientific writing.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma correcta de 'poner de manifiesto'.
La auditoría del año pasado ________ (pasado) graves fallos en la seguridad.
The subject 'La auditoría' is singular, so we use 'puso'. 'Manifiesto' never changes to 'manifiesta'.
Selecciona la opción gramaticalmente correcta.
¿Cuál de estas frases es correcta?
The phrase is fixed as 'de manifiesto'.
Completa el diálogo formal.
Director: ¿Qué indican estos resultados? Analista: Señor Director, los resultados ________ que debemos cambiar de estrategia.
In a formal context, 'ponen de manifiesto' is the most appropriate way to introduce findings.
Empareja la situación con la frase más adecuada.
Situación: Un científico descubre una nueva bacteria en el agua.
Scientific discovery is a prime context for this phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal 'To Show'
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLa auditoría del año pasado ________ (pasado) graves fallos en la seguridad.
The subject 'La auditoría' is singular, so we use 'puso'. 'Manifiesto' never changes to 'manifiesta'.
¿Cuál de estas frases es correcta?
The phrase is fixed as 'de manifiesto'.
Director: ¿Qué indican estos resultados? Analista: Señor Director, los resultados ________ que debemos cambiar de estrategia.
In a formal context, 'ponen de manifiesto' is the most appropriate way to introduce findings.
Situación: Un científico descubre una nueva bacteria en el agua.
Scientific discovery is a prime context for this phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it is much more formal and implies that what is being shown is a significant discovery or a clear piece of evidence.
Only if you are being ironic or talking about something very serious. Otherwise, it will sound too stiff.
No. It is always 'de manifiesto', even if you are revealing 'muchos problemas'.
'Poner en evidencia' often implies making someone look bad or exposing a flaw in an embarrassing way. 'Poner de manifiesto' is more neutral and factual.
Yes, it is a standard formal expression across the entire Spanish-speaking world.
No, you usually put a *fact* or a *situation* de manifiesto. To expose a person, you would use 'poner en evidencia' or 'delatar'.
It is much more common in writing (news, reports, essays) and formal speeches than in everyday conversation.
Absolutely. 'Poner de manifiesto la verdad' is a very common and powerful phrase.
You can use the verb 'evidenciar', which means the same thing in one word.
It's a historical linguistic evolution. 'De manifiesto' functions as an adverbial phrase describing the state of being manifest.
Related Phrases
Hacer patente
synonymTo make something obvious or clear.
Quedar de manifiesto
specialized formTo become evident.
Sacar a la luz
similarTo bring to light.
Dar a conocer
similarTo make known.
