to prove / show
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to prove to be
To turn out to be something specific after closer examination or over the course of time; to prove to be true or false.
Die anfängliche Vermutung erwies sich bei näherer Untersuchung als korrekt.
The initial assumption proved to be correct upon closer investigation.
to show someone
To give someone a particular service, honor, or respect. This is a formal and rather elevated expression.
Die Anwesenden wollten dem Verstorbenen mit einer Schweigeminute die letzte Ehre erweisen.
Those present wanted to show the deceased their final respects with a minute of silence.
The prefix 'er-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'weisen' in all tenses and sentence positions. The past participle is 'erwiesen' (proven).
Die Theorie wurde wissenschaftlich erwiesen.
The theory was scientifically proven.
The two meanings have very different sentence structures. The reflexive form 'sich erweisen als ...' means 'to turn out / prove to be'. The structure 'jemandem etwas erweisen' means to show someone an honor or do someone a service.
Das Gerücht hat sich als wahr erwiesen.
The rumor proved to be true.
This meaning is almost always used in the fixed structure 'sich als ...' + adjective or noun in the nominative. It describes a result or realization.
Die Aufgabe erwies sich als schwieriger als gedacht.
The task proved to be more difficult than expected.
The meaning 'jemandem eine Ehre/einen Dienst leisten' (to show someone an honor / do someone a service) is formal and used in elevated language. It always requires a person in the dative and a thing in the accusative.
Ich möchte Ihnen meinen Respekt erweisen.
I would like to show you my respect.
to perform / afford
When referring to help or a service, leisten mainly focuses on someone providing the relevant assistance or service. Erweisen places greater emphasis on the recipient receiving this benefit and sounds more formal or elevated. In everyday language, Hilfe leisten is usually appropriate; in more formal statements, one can jemandem einen Dienst erweisen.
Mit ihrer Unterstützung erwies die Nachbarin der Familie nach dem Unfall einen großen Dienst.
With her support, the neighbor rendered the family a great service after the accident.
Die Nachbarin leistete der Familie nach dem Unfall sofort Hilfe.
The neighbor immediately provided the family with help after the accident.
