demonstration

USAGE SUMMARY

'demonstration' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity by which something is shown or explained. For example: "The teacher gave a demonstration of the scientific experiment to the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Herne was set up in October 2011 to look into allegations made against the Met's Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), including using dead children's identities and engaging in inappropriate sexual relationships.

The Guardian

"I wouldn't mind giving you two a demonstration".

The Guardian - Opinion

The only reason you see placards in Parliament Square today is because the anti-war protester Brian Haw's demonstration preceded the introduction of the act, which is not retrospective.

The Guardian - Opinion

Protesters moved their demonstration to another nearby McDonald's corporate facility.

The Guardian - Business

A third smaller demonstration will be staged by the Irish Republican Socialist party, the political wing of terror group the INLA.

The Guardian

Although the demonstration in Lerwick on Saturday was organised by SNP activists, locals report that the mood against Carmichael extends significantly more widely across the islands, with more events planned for this week.

The Guardian

People angered by a controversial advert featuring a bikini-wearing model and asking "Are you beach body ready?" are planning a demonstration, complaining that the campaign promotes negative body issues.

The Guardian

Most of the activists I know engage in the odd nonviolent demonstration, like the protesters at Fortnum & Mason, some of whose guilty verdicts were overturned yesterday, or the people halfway up West Burton power station.

The Guardian - Opinion

Relatives who have lost loved ones at the hands of UK police will stage a demonstration outside the US embassy in London in solidarity with the family and supporters of US teenager Michael Brown, shot dead by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

The Guardian

The largest demonstration will be outside parliament where barristers and solicitors – many in wigs and gowns – will assemble and then march on the Ministry of Justice to hand in a modern copy of the Magna Carta, the 13th-century charter which first imposed legal restraints on executive power.

The Guardian

McIntyre says he was twice pulled from his wheelchair by the police during last Thursday's demonstration.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, clarify whether you are referring to a show of force, a public protest, or a presentation.

Common error

Avoid using "demonstration" when you mean "demonstrative". "Demonstration" refers to an act of showing or proving something, while "demonstrative" describes someone who openly expresses their emotions.

Linguistic Context

The word "demonstration" primarily functions as a noun. Ludwig AI examples show it representing an act of showing or explaining something, a public display of opinion, or a show of force. It adheres to standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "demonstration" functions primarily as a noun and is very commonly used, as supported by Ludwig's extensive examples. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for describing acts of showing, public displays, or shows of force. Its usage spans neutral to formal registers, with the most frequent contexts being in news and media, formal and business settings, and science. When using "demonstration", ensure clarity by specifying the context—whether it's a protest, presentation, or display. Avoid confusing it with "demonstrative", which relates to expressing emotions. Consider related phrases like "public protest", "presentation", or "/s/expression+of+opinion target="_blank" rel="nofollow">expression of opinion" for alternative ways to convey your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

public protest

Focuses specifically on the aspect of collective action and dissent.

presentation

Highlights the act of formally showcasing or explaining something.

show of support

Highlights the act of publicly indicating approval or agreement.

showcasing

Implies highlighting the best features of something.

exhibition

Emphasizes the act of displaying something for public viewing.

illustration

Suggests providing examples to clarify a concept.

display of force

Specifically refers to a show of military strength or power.

manifestation

Indicates an outward or tangible display of something abstract.

expression of opinion

Focuses on conveying a viewpoint or sentiment.

evidence

Highlights the quality of something that serves as proof for something else.

FAQs

How can I use the word "demonstration" in a sentence?

You can use "demonstration" to describe various situations, such as "The scientist gave a /s/presentation target="_blank" rel="nofollow">presentation of the experiment", or "The citizens organized a /s/public+protest target="_blank" rel="nofollow">public protest against the new law".

What are some synonyms for "demonstration"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "/s/presentation target="_blank" rel="nofollow">presentation", "/s/manifestation target="_blank" rel="nofollow">manifestation", "/s/public+protest target="_blank" rel="nofollow">public protest", or "/s/exhibition target="_blank" rel="nofollow">exhibition".

What is the difference between a "demonstration" and a "protest"?

While often used interchangeably, a "demonstration" can refer to any act of showing or explaining something, whereas a "protest" specifically implies an objection or disapproval of something. Therefore you can replace protest with /s/demonstration but not necessarily vice versa.

Is it correct to use "demonstration" when referring to a military exercise?

Yes, "demonstration" can refer to a /s/display+of+force target="_blank" rel="nofollow">display of force, including military exercises, especially when showcasing capabilities or readiness.