demonstrating why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "demonstrating why" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the reasons or justifications for a particular argument, action, or phenomenon. Example: "The study is focused on demonstrating why early intervention is crucial for child development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We at Economix have been fairly persistent in demonstrating why college is worth it.

The New York Times

Ryan, as his forty-minute speech progressed, did this with brio, amply demonstrating why Romney had picked him.

The New Yorker

Matt LeBlanc plays Matt LeBlanc, preternaturally nice guy, in his acceptance speech, probably demonstrating why he won the award.

The New York Times

It was a scrappy finish, with both teams demonstrating why they are struggling, and Rooney leaving the imprints of his studs on Oscar's leg.

The Guardian - Sport

None of this is unprecedented, and there is a lot of scholarship demonstrating why such beggar-thy-neighbour approaches result in bad collective outcomes.

The Guardian - Business

Medea is, she said, filled with "vacillation and massive contradictions," and the play is "a meticulous catwalk," demonstrating why somebody might do what she does.

The New York Times

Man walks around outside making statements as if posting on Twitter - thereby demonstrating why people on Twitter don't walk around outside or talk to people.

The Guardian - Music

The document said people who lodged a pre-poll vote, without clearly demonstrating why they could not vote on polling day, should not have their vote counted.

The Guardian

The problem was Warner, who was demonstrating why he is bound to open the batting for Australia in the forthcoming Test matches.

The Guardian - Sport

On the Supreme Court, Justice Neil Gorsuch is already demonstrating why the Heritage Foundation and other right-wing groups were so giddy about his nomination.

The New Yorker

It is evidence that the show's storytelling style is layered and novelistic, complete with historical analogies, perhaps demonstrating why it has prospered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "demonstrating why" when you want to provide a clear explanation or evidence supporting a particular point or decision. It's particularly effective in analytical or persuasive writing where you need to show the logical connection between actions and their reasons.

Common error

Avoid using "demonstrating why" in overly simple contexts where a more straightforward phrase like "showing why" would be more appropriate. Overly formal language can sometimes detract from clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "demonstrating why" functions as a gerund phrase, often used to introduce a clause that explains the reason or cause behind a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. It is prevalent in academic and professional writing to provide rationales or evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "demonstrating why" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to provide explanations or justifications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It is particularly common in news, scientific, and business contexts, emphasizing its utility in formal and analytical writing. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse in overly simple contexts, opting for more direct alternatives when appropriate. Remember to leverage it to establish clear connections between actions and reasons in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Showing why

Replaces "demonstrating" with a simpler, more direct verb, maintaining the same meaning.

Illustrating why

Offers a more visual or descriptive sense of providing reasons.

Indicating why

Suggests a more subtle way of pointing out the reasons.

Proving why

Emphasizes the aspect of providing definitive evidence or confirmation.

Justifying why

Focuses on providing reasons to defend or validate something.

Explaining why

Highlights the act of making something clear and understandable.

Revealing why

Implies uncovering or making known the reasons behind something.

Showcasing why

Emphasizes the act of presenting something in a favorable light to highlight the reasons.

Determining why

Focuses on the process of finding out or establishing the reasons.

Illuminating why

Suggests a more profound or insightful clarification of the reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "demonstrating why" in a sentence?

You can use "demonstrating why" to connect an action, decision, or phenomenon with its underlying reasons. For example, "The experiment succeeded, "demonstrating why" the new methodology is effective".

What are some alternatives to "demonstrating why"?

Alternatives include "showing why", "illustrating why", or "explaining why". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "demonstrating why" formal or informal?

"Demonstrating why" leans towards the formal side but is versatile enough for neutral contexts. For very informal situations, "showing why" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "demonstrating why" and "justifying why"?

"Demonstrating why" focuses on presenting evidence or reasons, while "justifying why" specifically aims to defend or validate something that might be questioned. The choice depends on whether you're explaining or defending.