demonstrate yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "demonstrate yourself" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward in certain contexts.
It can be used when asking someone to show their skills, abilities, or qualities, but it is more effective to specify what they should demonstrate. Example: "In the interview, we would like you to demonstrate yourself by showcasing your problem-solving skills."

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If you search, for "holidays" or "laptops" or "penis enlargement" or "fake Facebook friends" – and Google doesn't judge – then you demonstrate yourself more likely than anyone else to be on the cusp of opening your wallet and paying.

The Guardian - Tech

You demonstrate yourself to be an authority.

Forbes

Enrique said: "It is dangerous to speak of favourites in the Champions League - you have to demonstrate yourself on the field".

BBC

I don't think you can expect your team to do things you're not willing to demonstrate yourself.

HuffPost

Demonstrate yourself to be a person with a life that you value and protect.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

So is fretting over your cell phone in the presence of others when you haven't gotten a call or text, and don't need to call or text anyone (demonstrating yourself to an audience, and/or longing to be "in", meshing, fusing, unwarranted personal involvement).

WikiHow

Arm yourself with a business plan to aid your farm decision-making and demonstrate to yourself and your family that your ideas are feasible.

Cornell University

You'd be doing this primarily to demonstrate to yourself how puny iPhone security truly is.

TechCrunch

Make heaps of activity: Be solid when you practice to demonstrate to yourself that you are stronger than you might suspect.

WikiHow

If you recognize yourself in anything I've shared, I encourage you to do something easy today which demonstrates honoring yourself.

Huffington Post

Breaks are beneficial for anyone — they help restore your energy — but they're especially important if you're burned out, in part because making the choice to take them demonstrates to yourself that you have some level of control, even on a micro level.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify what aspect of yourself you intend to demonstrate, like "demonstrate your leadership skills" or "demonstrate your commitment."

Common error

Avoid using "demonstrate yourself" without a clear object. Instead of saying "demonstrate yourself in the interview", specify the desired attribute: "demonstrate your problem-solving skills in the interview."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "demonstrate yourself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of demonstrating is directed back to the subject. It implies showing or proving one's capabilities or character. Ludwig suggests that clarifying the object of demonstration improves the phrasing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "demonstrate yourself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, suggesting the act of showcasing one's abilities or character. However, according to Ludwig, it often benefits from added clarity by specifying what exactly is being demonstrated. While grammatically acceptable, it's considered an uncommon phrasing that appears across varied contexts like news media, wikis, and academia. To enhance precision and impact, aim to replace the generic "demonstrate yourself" with targeted alternatives such as "show your abilities" or "exhibit your skills", depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show your capabilities

This alternative focuses specifically on showcasing one's abilities.

exhibit your skills

This alternative emphasizes the act of displaying expertise.

prove your worth

This implies needing to validate one's value or competence.

present yourself effectively

This focuses on the manner of self-presentation.

conduct yourself appropriately

This alternative stresses behavioral expectations.

reveal your potential

Focuses on showing promise or untapped abilities.

display your talents

Highlights the showcasing of inherent gifts.

illustrate your strengths

Emphasizes demonstrating positive attributes clearly.

validate your abilities

This suggests confirming or substantiating skills.

express your character

This focuses on revealing personality and values.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "demonstrate yourself" for better clarity?

To improve clarity, replace "demonstrate yourself" with more specific alternatives such as "show your abilities", "exhibit your skills", or "prove your worth", depending on the context.

Is "demonstrate yourself" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "demonstrate yourself" can sound awkward. It's often better to specify what you are demonstrating, like your skills or commitment.

What's a professional way to say "demonstrate yourself"?

In professional settings, use phrases like "present yourself effectively", "conduct yourself appropriately", or "highlight your achievements" for a more polished tone.

What are some common contexts where "demonstrate yourself" might be used?

"Demonstrate yourself" might appear in contexts discussing leadership, skills development, or personal branding, although specifying the demonstrated attribute is generally preferred. Examples include demonstrating leadership qualities or demonstrating a commitment to growth.