Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Demonstrative Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ‘‰
Add to dictionary

demonstrative

[dษชหˆmษ’nstrษ™tษชv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

pointing out

serving to demonstrate; indicative; pointing out clearly

Synonyms

illustrative, indicative, pointing out.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
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?

arrow down
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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'demonstrative'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The word 'demonstrative' originated from the Latin word 'demonstrativus', which is derived from the verb 'demonstrare' meaning 'to point out'. It has been used in English since the late 14th century to describe something that serves to demonstrate or indicate.

See also: demonstrable, demonstrated, demonstrativeness, demonstrator, undemonstrated.

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.