poner de manifiesto
verbCEFR B2
What does “poner de manifiesto” mean in English?
to reveal, to make apparent
to reveal, to make apparent (formal; brings something to light; contrast poner en evidencia = to embarrass)
Example sentences
El informe pone de manifiesto una brecha creciente entre las zonas rurales y urbanas.
The report reveals a growing gap between rural and urban areas.
Los resultados de las elecciones ponen de manifiesto que la desafección política va en aumento.
The election results reveal that political disaffection is on the rise.
El incidente volvió a poner de manifiesto los problemas sistémicos que arrastra el sector.
The incident once again revealed the systemic problems the sector has been dragging along.
How to use it
Poner de manifiesto means 'to reveal', 'to demonstrate', 'to make apparent'. It is a formal collocation used when evidence or a situation brings something to light that was previously hidden or underappreciated. Construction: poner de manifiesto + noun or que-clause (indicative). Very common in academic writing and journalism. Contrast with revelar (to reveal, more journalistic, sometimes dramatic) and demostrar (to prove/demonstrate, more about logical proof).
Common mistake
Poner de manifiesto is more about revelation than proof — it makes something evident, not necessarily true beyond doubt. Don't confuse with poner en evidencia (to embarrass, to expose someone negatively) — these look similar but have very different social valence. Poner de manifiesto is neutral or positive; poner en evidencia is always negative.