Meaning & use
demonstrate
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive
To show clearly that something is true or exists, using evidence, reasoning, or a practical example.
Grammar: Takes an object: demonstrate a fact, need, method, or difference.
Patterns
- demonstrate something
- demonstrate that...
- demonstrate how/why
- demonstrate to someone
The study demonstrates a clear link between sleep and memory.
She demonstrated that the machine could save energy.
Can you demonstrate how the app works?
verbtransitive
To show or explain something by doing it or by giving a practical example.
Grammar: Often followed by how, what, or a noun naming a skill or process.
Patterns
- demonstrate something to someone
- demonstrate how to do something
- demonstrate a technique
The chef demonstrated the technique to the class.
He demonstrated how to change a tire.
The trainer demonstrated each exercise before we tried it.
verbintransitive
To march, gather, or protest publicly to express political or social opinions.
Grammar: No object; often used with against, for, outside, or in support of: 'demonstrate against cuts.'
Patterns
- demonstrate against something
- demonstrate for something
- demonstrate outside somewhere
- demonstrate peacefully
Thousands demonstrated against the new law.
Workers demonstrated for better safety conditions.
Students demonstrated outside the ministry on Friday.
Word forms
| third person singular | demonstrates |
|---|---|
| past tense | demonstrated |
| past participle | demonstrated |
| -ing form | demonstrating |
Common combinations
- demonstrate clearly
- The results demonstrate clearly why early treatment matters.
- demonstrate that...
- The data demonstrate that emissions are falling.
- demonstrate against something
- Residents demonstrated against the planned motorway.
- demonstrate how to do something
- She demonstrated how to use the fire extinguisher.
- publicly demonstrate
- They publicly demonstrated their support for the nurses.
Synonyms and how they differ
- show
- Show is the everyday general verb; demonstrate is more formal and suggests proof, evidence, or careful explanation.
- prove
- Prove means establish beyond doubt; demonstrate can mean make clear through evidence or example, sometimes less absolute.
- protest
- Protest is the general verb for objection; demonstrate specifically suggests public marches or gatherings.
Opposites
Word family
- demonstration noun
- An act of showing or proving; also a public protest: a cooking demonstration; a peaceful demonstration.
- demonstrative adjective
- Showing feelings openly, or serving to point out/identify in grammar.
- demonstrably adverb
- In a way that can be clearly shown or proved.
Commonly confused: demonstrate or protest?
demonstrate vs protest
All public demonstrations are protests, but demonstrate emphasizes the public show of opinion, while protest can also be private or verbal.
Practice
Which sentence uses demonstrate to mean public protest?
Choose one answer.
With no object and a place phrase, demonstrate means take part in a public protest. The other options use the transitive 'show/prove' senses.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “demonstrate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.