demonstrate power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'demonstrate power' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a display of strength or authority. For example, "The king wanted to demonstrate power to his people, so he held a grand parade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Should the building demonstrate power, modesty, or lavishness?

The New Yorker

"CCTV is not there to demonstrate power, it's there to demonstrate weakness," he said.

The New York Times

The fights and arguments -- physical, verbal, between men, between girls -- serve to avenge slights, vent desperation and demonstrate power on the block, if not beyond.

The New York Times

"In the previous generation, the old male politicians used the 'basta' style of politics to outwardly demonstrate power and the need for the final word," Ms. Munimus said.

The New York Times

He compared it to the organized cruelty in "Lord of the Flies," saying, "Little harassments, the techniques of trying to demonstrate power and dominance that was my first experience of betrayal".

The New Yorker

It's also complicated by the fact that Hastert almost never goes out of his way to demonstrate power—he sees himself as a public servant, trying to get work done.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The demonstrated power of the SQ method opens up avenues for theoretical predictions of amorphous materials in general.

Acta Materialia

"[Sexual violence] is a way of demonstrating power and control.

Huffington Post

Seeing companies respond to consumers' environmental concerns clearly demonstrates power to the people in action.

Huffington Post

Not content with being the powers on the set, the 300-some members of the director's branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences demonstrated power of another kind.

Los Angeles Times

By sanctioning the women for their non-compliant behaviour they demonstrated power and exerted hierarchical control over their clients.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to show that someone or something is powerful or influential use "demonstrate power". It highlights actions that make that power visible or obvious.

Common error

Avoid limiting the use of "demonstrate power" to contexts where subtle influence is at play. Use it where the display of strength or authority is clear and overt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "demonstrate power" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "demonstrate" acts as the verb indicating the action of showing or displaying, and "power" serves as the noun, representing the ability to influence or control. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe actions displaying strength or authority.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "demonstrate power" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of displaying strength or authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When aiming to convey similar concepts, alternatives such as "exhibit authority" or "assert control" can be considered, depending on the specific nuance desired. It's crucial to use "demonstrate power" when referring to clear and overt displays of strength, avoiding its overuse in contexts involving subtle influence. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for a broad range of writing styles and situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibit authority

Focuses more specifically on showing one's official right or command.

display dominance

Implies a more overt and possibly aggressive showing of superiority.

assert control

Highlights the act of taking and maintaining command.

exercise influence

Emphasizes the use of one's position to affect outcomes or decisions.

show strength

A more general way of indicating capability and resilience.

project authority

Suggests conveying a sense of command and respect.

wield power

Implies actively using power that one possesses.

establish dominance

Focuses on setting up a position of superiority over time.

exert influence

Indicates a direct effort to affect something or someone.

manifest control

Highlights the visible or obvious expression of control.

FAQs

How can I use "demonstrate power" in a sentence?

Use "demonstrate power" to describe situations where someone or something is actively showing its authority or strength. For instance, "The military exercise was intended to "demonstrate power" to neighboring countries".

What are some alternatives to "demonstrate power"?

Alternatives include "exhibit authority", "display dominance", or "assert control" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "demonstrate power" in formal writing?

While "demonstrate power" is generally acceptable in formal writing, consider the specific context. In some cases, alternatives like "exercise influence" or "show strength" might be more suitable depending on the level of formality required.

What is the difference between "demonstrate power" and "wield power"?

"Demonstrate power" implies showing existing strength or authority, while "wield power" suggests actively using power that one already possesses to achieve a specific outcome. The former is about display, the latter about action.