demonstrate whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"demonstrate whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea of providing proof or evidence that supports either an affirmative or negative answer to a particular question. Example: "We will need to demonstrate whether the new software is capable of handling the increased workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The recordings also do not demonstrate whether any bribes were paid.

The New York Times

Short sellers say such information could demonstrate whether Tyco is inflating its profits.

The New York Times

Congress will soon demonstrate whether such a realization is taking hold.

The New York Times

He said the next couple weeks would demonstrate whether Republicans are "serious" about cutting deficits.

The Guardian

García will now demonstrate whether he can play it all the way through to his first title in a major.

The New York Times - Sports

This is not about an event but a process which will let them demonstrate whether or not they are serious".

The Guardian

The planned rigorous evaluation will demonstrate whether the pilot can become a sustainable, scalable program over time.

The New York Times

In Ali Reza's view, one thing in particular will demonstrate whether Rouhani can deliver on his promises: his cabinet.

The Guardian

You have to be able to demonstrate whether you can actually teach".

The New York Times

Because the men weren't randomly assigned to a treatment, the data don't demonstrate whether one treatment is better than another.

The New York Times

"Today's announcement starts a testing process, which will demonstrate whether the proposed fix will work as designed".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "demonstrate whether", ensure that the context provides a clear framework for objective evaluation. This phrase is most effective when evidence or data can be presented to support or refute a hypothesis or claim.

Common error

Avoid using "demonstrate whether" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "show if" or "see if" would be more appropriate. Overuse in these contexts can make your language sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "demonstrate whether" functions as a conjunction introducing a clause that presents a binary choice or a question of fact that requires evidence or proof. Ludwig AI confirms that it serves to present a situation where data or evidence is used to determine an outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "demonstrate whether" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. As Ludwig AI highlights, its primary function is to introduce a situation where evidence is presented to validate a claim or resolve a question. While highly versatile, it is generally more appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, and overuse in casual settings can sound stilted. Consider simpler alternatives like "show if" or "determine whether" for less formal communication. Remember that the key to effective use is ensuring the context provides a clear framework for evaluation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine whether

Emphasizes the act of making a firm decision, or finding out something for sure.

show if

Replaces "demonstrate" with a simpler verb "show", and "whether" with "if", resulting in a more informal tone.

confirm whether

Highlights the act of verifying or substantiating a fact or statement.

prove if

Similar to "show if", but "prove" implies a higher standard of evidence than "demonstrate".

indicate if

Uses "indicate" to suggest that something is a sign or symptom of something else.

verify if

Suggests checking or proving the truth of something by examining evidence.

establish if

Indicates the act of firmly deciding the truth about something. It focuses on confirming its validity.

ascertain whether

Replace "demonstrate" with "ascertain", conveying a sense of discovering something through investigation.

validate if

Emphasizes the act of officially confirming or approving the accuracy or correctness of something.

substantiate if

Replaces "demonstrate" with "substantiate", conveying a need for support by providing evidence.

FAQs

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

Use "demonstrate whether" to introduce a situation where evidence will be presented to determine if something is true or not. For example, "The experiment will demonstrate whether the new drug is effective."

What is a less formal alternative to "demonstrate whether"?

If you're aiming for a less formal tone, you can use phrases like "show if" or "prove if" instead.

Is it always necessary to use "whether" after "demonstrate"?

In most cases, yes. The word "whether" introduces the alternative possibilities that the demonstration aims to clarify. Omitting it can make the sentence grammatically incorrect or unclear.

What's the difference between "determine whether" and "demonstrate whether"?

"Determine whether" implies finding something out for certain, while "demonstrate whether" focuses on presenting evidence to show if something is the case. They both imply an act of finding something, but "determine" suggests a firm conclusion.