Demonstrative: meaning, definitions and examples

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demonstrative

[dɪˈmɒnstrətɪv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

pointing out

serving to demonstrate; indicative; pointing out clearly

Synonyms

illustrative, indicative, pointing out.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
demonstrative	This word was mentioned twice and seems to be repeated. The context and examples would be the same as the first entry. She was very demonstrative, hugging everyone she met The lawyer presented demonstrative evidence to support his case
indicative	Useful to show, suggest, or indicate something. The data is indicative of a larger trend in the industry Symptoms are indicative of an underlying health condition
pointing out	Used informally to describe the action of drawing attention to something. She kept pointing out interesting facts during the tour Pointing out someone's mistakes can be helpful if done kindly
illustrative	Used when something serves as a good example or helps to explain something clearly. The teacher provided an illustrative example to explain the concept The chart is illustrative of the company's financial growth

Examples of usage

His demonstrative behavior made it clear he was upset.
She used demonstrative gestures to emphasize her point.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

grammar

a pronoun that points out the person or thing referred to

Synonyms

indicative pronoun, pointing pronoun.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
demonstrative	Used to describe the function of certain types of pronouns that point to specific things or people. 'This' and 'that' are demonstrative pronouns used to specify particular items. In the sentence 'These are my shoes,' 'these' is a demonstrative pronoun.
pointing pronoun	Commonly used to explain a type of pronoun that points to and identifies specific nouns, typically used in informal contexts or explanations. 'That' in 'I want that one' is a pointing pronoun. 'Those dogs are noisy,' here 'those' is a pointing pronoun.
indicative pronoun	Less commonly used term for pronouns that indicate and specify particular nouns, similar to demonstrative pronouns. In 'Those are delicious,' 'those' serves as an indicative pronoun. 'These' can act as an indicative pronoun when it specifies certain people or things.

Word

Description / Examples

demonstrative

Used to describe the function of certain types of pronouns that point to specific things or people.

'This' and 'that' are demonstrative pronouns used to specify particular items.
In the sentence 'These are my shoes,' 'these' is a demonstrative pronoun.

pointing pronoun

Commonly used to explain a type of pronoun that points to and identifies specific nouns, typically used in informal contexts or explanations.

'That' in 'I want that one' is a pointing pronoun.
'Those dogs are noisy,' here 'those' is a pointing pronoun.

indicative pronoun

Less commonly used term for pronouns that indicate and specify particular nouns, similar to demonstrative pronouns.

In 'Those are delicious,' 'those' serves as an indicative pronoun.
'These' can act as an indicative pronoun when it specifies certain people or things.

Examples of usage

This, that, these, and those are demonstratives in English grammar.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'demonstrativus', which means 'showing' or 'pointing out'.
It has links to 'demonstrate', which means to show how something works or is true.
In Old French, the term evolved into 'demonstratif', leading to its current English form.

Linguistics

In grammar, demonstrative words indicate specific items, such as 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those'.
They can also serve to express distance in perspective; 'this' refers to something nearby, while 'that' refers to something farther away.
Demonstrative pronouns can help clarify sentences and give precise information about nouns.

Psychology

Demonstrative behaviors in communication involve showing feelings through gestures or body language, improving understanding.
Research indicates that demonstrating emotions non-verbally can enhance connection and empathy between individuals.
Studies show that children's ability to use demonstrative words correlates with their understanding of spatial relationships.

Cultural Significance

In various cultures, demonstrative gestures can convey meanings beyond words, like a thumbs-up or a wave.
Certain societies value direct and demonstrative communication styles, emphasizing clarity in interactions.
The manner in which feelings are demonstrated can vary greatly between cultures, showcasing diverse social norms.

Education

Using demonstrative teaching methods, like showing instead of telling, can significantly improve student understanding.
Interactive learning encourages students to use demonstrative language, fostering participation and engagement.
Hands-on demonstrations are often more effective for learning, as they allow students to visualize and experience concepts directly.

Translations

Translations of the word "demonstrative" in other languages:

🇵🇹 demonstrativo

🇮🇳 प्रदर्शनी

🇩🇪 demonstrativ

🇮🇩 demonstratif

🇺🇦 показовий

🇵🇱 demonstracyjny

🇯🇵 指示的 (しじてき)

🇫🇷 démonstratif

🇪🇸 demostrativo

🇹🇷 gösterici

🇰🇷 지시사

🇸🇦 إيضاحي

🇨🇿 demonstrativní

🇸🇰 demonštratívny

🇨🇳 指示的 (zhǐshì de)

🇸🇮 demonstrativen

🇮🇸 sýnikennandi

🇰🇿 көрсеткіш

🇬🇪 დემონსტრაციული

🇦🇿 nümayişkar

🇲🇽 demostrativo

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,018, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
17015 subheading
17016 mysteriously
17017 methodical
17018 demonstrative
17019 undecided
17020 dehydrated
17021 colt
...