do a demonstration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do a demonstration" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to perform or show something in a clear and visible way, often to teach or explain how something works. Example: The physics teacher asked the students to do a demonstration to show the law of gravity using everyday objects.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

He said they'd take some if I agreed to do a demonstration in the store.

The Guardian - Arts

"He likes fencing, so I was, like, 'We need to do a demonstration together!' " she said.

The New Yorker

She hopes to persuade Bom Jesus to do a demonstration for her class.

The New York Times

"Then I'd do a demonstration -- how I'd type and write and sew".

The New York Times

"We're going to try to do a demonstration project to identify zones and offer discount tickets to them," she said.

The New York Times

"It's one thing to do a demonstration — 'Look, Ma, no hands!' But I'm talking about real production variance and systems we're confident in.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

We're doing a demonstration".

The New York Times

A man did a demonstration for us.

The Guardian - Travel

So we did a demonstration project in Tanzania.

The New York Times

I did a demonstration where some trolley is supposed to shoot a little marble.

Yale University

I bought some clay from a potter who was doing a demonstration.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to demonstrate something, use "do a demonstration" to clearly indicate the action of showing how something works or is done.

Common error

Avoid using "make a demonstration" as it's less idiomatic. Stick to "do a demonstration" for clearer and more natural English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do a demonstration" functions as a verbal phrase, where "do" acts as a light verb taking "demonstration" as its object. It indicates the action of performing or presenting something in a clear and explanatory manner. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do a demonstration" is a correct and commonly used phrase for describing the act of performing or presenting something in an informative way. As validated by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, from news reporting to academic explanations. While alternatives like ""give a demonstration"" or "conduct a demonstration" exist, sticking to "do a demonstration" ensures clarity and naturalness. When instructing or explaining, this phrase is a reliable choice. Be mindful to avoid the less common "make a demonstration". By considering these best practices and avoiding common errors, you can confidently and effectively use "do a demonstration" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a demonstration

Emphasizes the act of providing or presenting the demonstration.

show a demonstration

A more direct and simple way to say "do a demonstration".

conduct a demonstration

Implies a more formal or organized approach to the demonstration.

perform a demonstration

Highlights the execution or carrying out of the demonstration.

present a demonstration

Focuses on the act of showing or displaying the demonstration.

offer a demonstration

Suggests the availability or willingness to show the demonstration.

execute a demonstration

Emphasizes the technical or skillful execution of the demonstration.

stage a demonstration

Implies a planned or organized event for demonstration purposes, often for protest.

undertake a demonstration

Suggests a more serious or involved commitment to the demonstration.

run a demonstration

Implies managing or overseeing the demonstration.

FAQs

How can I use "do a demonstration" in a sentence?

You can use "do a demonstration" to describe the act of showing how something works, such as, "The chef will "give a demonstration" of his signature dish".

What are some alternatives to "do a demonstration"?

Alternatives include "perform a demonstration", "conduct a demonstration", or simply "show a demonstration", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "make a demonstration" instead of "do a demonstration"?

While understandable, "make a demonstration" is less common and idiomatic than "do a demonstration". The latter is generally preferred.

What is the difference between "give a demonstration" and "do a demonstration"?

"Give a demonstration" emphasizes the act of providing or presenting it, while "do a demonstration" simply refers to performing the action. The difference is subtle and they are often interchangeable.