to demonstrate a principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to demonstrate a principle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when explaining or illustrating a fundamental idea or concept in various contexts, such as academic writing, presentations, or discussions. Example: "The experiment was designed to demonstrate a principle of physics that explains the behavior of light."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The students endured taunts and ridicule to demonstrate a principle, he said.

The New York Times

The motivation of our study manuscript was to demonstrate a principle in vitro that can be taken to clinical tissues specimens ex vivo (where receptor saturation cannot be determined).

Carcinogenesis

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You may be asked to demonstrate a particular scientific principle or theory.

WikiHow

In keeping with the ethical principle of nonmaleficence, one would have to demonstrate a very positive countering ethical principle of beneficence in order to justify the wholesale introduction of screening tests or batteries of tests to make an early diagnosis of a definable clinical state affecting cognition which is likely to progress to a dementia-like condition.

BioMed Research International

However, it may demonstrate a principle: surface irregularities can affect a spheroid's growth rate.

BMC Systems Biology

Thus, it makes little sense for certain NGOs or international aid agencies to set up pilot projects in Africa without bothering to adapt them adequately to States' capacities, beyond demonstrating a principle that might, in some situations, still be important to carry out.

BMC Health Services Research

Throughout, she demonstrates a principle well known to literary scavengers: one culture's givens and clichés are another's poetry.

The New York Times - Books

"The flip demonstrates a principle of how we might make small robots more agile and maneuverable," Full said.

Huffington Post

Note that this is only an example to demonstrate the principle of an exposure prediction model.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Our objective is to present a system to estimate the opportunity cost for given surgical specialties and present a model to demonstrate its principle.

Surgery

To demonstrate this principle, we prepared a sample of fixed beads immersed in a solution of 100 nM fluorescein at pH = 9.

Biophysical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to demonstrate a principle", ensure the subsequent explanation or example clearly supports and clarifies the principle being discussed. Use concrete examples to reinforce the abstract concept.

Common error

Avoid explaining a principle in overly abstract terms without providing concrete examples. The purpose of using the phrase "to demonstrate a principle" is to make the concept more understandable, not more obscure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to demonstrate a principle" functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces the purpose of an action. It sets the stage for explaining or illustrating a core idea or concept. Ludwig AI supports this interpretation through its analysis of example sentences, indicating its usability in English writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to demonstrate a principle" serves as a purpose connector, frequently employed across science, news and media, and wiki contexts to introduce an illustration or proof of a fundamental concept. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability. When writing, ensure your examples clearly support the principle. Alternatives such as "to illustrate a principle" or "to exemplify a principle" can add nuance. Be aware of the phrase's varying register, from formal in academic settings to neutral in news media. The phrase enjoys a common usage, appearing in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Huffington Post. To maximize effectiveness, avoid abstract explanations and focus on concrete examples to clarify the underlying principle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to illustrate a principle

Replaces "demonstrate" with "illustrate", focusing on visual representation or clarification.

to exemplify a principle

Uses "exemplify" to highlight the principle through a specific example.

to showcase a principle

Emphasizes presenting the principle in a clear and effective manner.

to prove a principle

Focuses on providing evidence or validation for the principle.

to establish a principle

Highlights the act of setting up or confirming the principle.

to validate a principle

Implies confirming the accuracy or correctness of the principle.

to explain a principle

Focuses on clarifying the principle through detailed description.

to clarify a principle

Stresses the removal of ambiguity and making the principle easier to understand.

to highlight a principle

Emphasizes drawing attention to the principle's key aspects.

to present a principle

Focuses on introducing or putting forward the principle for consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "to demonstrate a principle" in a sentence?

You can use "to demonstrate a principle" to introduce an example or explanation that illustrates a fundamental concept. For instance, "The experiment was conducted to demonstrate a principle of physics regarding energy conservation".

What are some alternatives to "to demonstrate a principle"?

You can use alternatives like "to illustrate a principle", "to exemplify a principle", or "to showcase a principle" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "to demonstrate a principle" or "to prove a principle"?

While both are valid, "to demonstrate a principle" implies showing or illustrating the concept, whereas "to prove a principle" suggests providing evidence or verification. The choice depends on whether you're explaining or validating the principle.

What does it mean "to demonstrate a principle" in a scientific context?

In a scientific context, "to demonstrate a principle" means to perform an experiment, study, or analysis that clearly illustrates a fundamental scientific concept or law. It involves providing empirical evidence that supports the principle.