be demonstrated that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be demonstrated that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey that something should be shown or proven, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "It must be demonstrated that the theory holds true under various conditions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But in Florida, judges have intervened when it can be demonstrated that state law was violated.

The New York Times

It needs to be demonstrated that this virus is a cause and not a bystander.

The New Yorker

And it would need to be demonstrated that regenerated ligaments were durable over time.

The New York Times

It would have to be demonstrated that the laser cannon would be of more value that existing guns.

The Guardian

Killing should be a last resort, when it can be demonstrated that capture is impossible.

The New York Times

Killing should be authorized only when it can be demonstrated that capture is impossible.

The New York Times

"Where it can be demonstrated that there is any inhibition in enforcement authority, I will be more than happy to be responsive to those concerns".

The New York Times

Honours "should not be awarded to civil servants or businessmen unless it can be demonstrated that there has been service above and beyond the call of duty".

The Guardian

"When we get in the hearings and the merits of the project come out, it will be demonstrated that it has minimal impact on the environment".

The New York Times

They can only intervene if it can be demonstrated that any such avoidance was part of a sweetheart deal and therefore not available to competitor firms.

The Guardian - Business

The acid test of the forthcoming white paper is whether it can be demonstrated that the BBC will be truly independent and free from government interference.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While the phrase "be demonstrated that" appears frequently, especially in news and scientific contexts, favor clearer alternatives like "be shown that" or "be proven that" to enhance readability and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "be demonstrated that" in formal writing due to its somewhat stilted and indirect construction. Instead, opt for active voice constructions like "researchers demonstrated that" or "studies have shown that" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be demonstrated that" functions as a passive construction often used to introduce a statement that has been or can be proven or shown. Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is not considered standard in written English and provides recommendations for alternative phrasing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be demonstrated that" appears frequently across a range of sources, from news outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian to scientific journals indexed in ScienceDirect, Ludwig AI flags it as not being standard in written English. This suggests that although widely used, especially in scientific and formal contexts, the phrase is considered grammatically awkward. For improved clarity and impact, it's advisable to favor alternatives like "be proven that" or "be shown that". While the prevalence of this phrase is high, especially in science and news, remember to aim for precision in your writing, selecting alternatives that ensure both grammatical correctness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be proven that

Replaces "demonstrated" with "proven", offering a more direct and common alternative.

be shown that

Uses "shown" instead of "demonstrated", making the phrase simpler and more accessible.

be established that

Substitutes "demonstrated" with "established", indicating a more conclusive or formal confirmation.

be verified that

Replaces "demonstrated" with "verified", emphasizing the confirmation of accuracy or truth.

be confirmed that

Uses "confirmed" instead of "demonstrated", suggesting validation or agreement on a fact.

it can be proven that

Adds "it can", shifting the focus to the possibility of proof rather than the act of demonstrating.

it can be shown that

Adds "it can", indicating the potential for something to be revealed or displayed.

it can be ascertained that

Replaces "demonstrated" with "ascertained", suggesting a discovery through investigation.

evidence suggests that

Replaces the entire structure with a phrase focusing on evidence, altering the tone to a more suggestive one.

research indicates that

Changes the focus to research findings, implying a more formal and studied approach.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "be demonstrated that"?

You can use alternatives such as "be proven that", "be shown that", or "be established that" depending on the context.

Is "be demonstrated that" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, the phrase "be demonstrated that" is considered awkward in standard written English. It's better to use clearer alternatives like "be shown that" or "be proven that".

How can I use "be demonstrated that" in a sentence correctly?

It's generally advisable to rephrase sentences using "be demonstrated that" to improve clarity. For example, instead of "It can be demonstrated that the theory is correct", try "The theory can be proven correct".

What's the difference between "be demonstrated that" and "be proven that"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "be proven that" is generally considered more direct and grammatically sound than "be demonstrated that", which can sound slightly awkward.