What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
demonstrate
Example
The teacher will demonstrate the experiment in front of the class. [demonstrate: verb]
Example
The data will demonstrate the effectiveness of the new treatment. [demonstrate: verb]
indicate
Example
The sign indicated that the store was closed. [indicated: past tense]
Example
His tone of voice indicated that he was not happy with the situation. [indicated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indicate is more commonly used than demonstrate in everyday language. Indicate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while demonstrate is less common and typically used in more formal or technical settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between demonstrate and indicate?
Demonstrate is often associated with a formal or technical tone, while indicate can be used in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
