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Prepositions after verbs

Demonstrate in, to, or by

Demonstrate to is used when showing something to someone. Demonstrate by explains method or evidence. In usually introduces place, field, or context.

Quick answer

How is demonstrate used with prepositions?

Use demonstrate to when showing or explaining something to a person. Use demonstrate by for methods or evidence. Demonstrate in usually refers to place or context rather than a fixed verb-preposition pattern.

The trainer demonstrated to the class how the software works.
She demonstrated by using a simple diagram.
The effect was demonstrated in several experiments.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
demonstrate to + person

Showing or explaining something

Use demonstrate to when presenting something to an audience or person.

He demonstrated to the students how to code.
The chef demonstrated to viewers how to prepare the dish.
2
demonstrate by + method

Explaining through actions or evidence

Use demonstrate by to describe how something is shown.

The scientist demonstrated by repeating the experiment.
She demonstrated by example rather than theory.
3
demonstrate in + context

Referring to place or field

In often introduces the setting where something is shown or observed.

The pattern was demonstrated in laboratory tests.
These skills are demonstrated in real situations.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
demonstrate to
She demonstrated the process to new employees.
show or explain something to someone
demonstrate by
He demonstrated by drawing a chart.
show through method or evidence
demonstrate in
The effect was demonstrated in clinical trials.
in introduces context or location
demonstrate with
The teacher demonstrated the technique with a model.
with introduces an instrument or aid

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using demonstrate to without a person

To usually introduces the audience or recipient.

✕ She demonstrated to how the device works. ✓ She demonstrated how the device works.

Confusing by and to

To introduces people; by introduces method.

✕ He demonstrated by the students the procedure. ✓ He demonstrated the procedure to the students.

Treating demonstrate in as a fixed pattern

In usually gives context rather than acting as a selected complement.

✕ They demonstrated in a new method. ✓ They demonstrated a new method.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The instructor demonstrated the software ___ the trainees.
2. She demonstrated the concept ___ using a graph.
3. The effect was demonstrated ___ several studies.

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Frequently asked questions

Can demonstrate be used without a preposition?

Yes. You can say demonstrate a technique or demonstrate knowledge.

What is the difference between demonstrate to and demonstrate by?

Demonstrate to focuses on the audience, while demonstrate by focuses on method or evidence.

Is demonstrate in incorrect?

No. It is natural when in introduces context, place, or field.

dabble, in, dabble, with "damage to" or "damage by"? dance to, with, on, in or for? "dangle from" or "dangle in"? dare to, for, on, as or at? dash to, into, out, from or on? daydream about, for, in, of or on? "debate in", "debate on" or "debate with"? deceive by, in, into, on or about? "decide on", "decide to" or "decide by"? declare in, by, on, to or as? decline in, by, from, to or for?

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