Display vs I'll give you a demonstration

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Display

Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb

I'll give you a demonstration

Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Display
 DisplayI'll give you a demonstration
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈspleɪ/","/dɪˈspleɪz/","/dɪˈspleɪd/","/dɪˈspleɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈspleɪ/","/dɪˈspleɪz/","/dɪˈspleɪd/","/dɪˈspleɪɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //aɪl ɡɪv juː ə ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən//🇺🇸 //aɪl ɡɪv ju ə ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən//
MeaningTo show something so that people can see it.I will show you how to do something.
ExamplePlease display the results on the screen for everyone to see.Let me give you a demonstration of how this machine works.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsclearly, prominently, proudly, togive a demonstration, provide a demonstration, offer a demonstration
Antonymsconceal, hide, obscureI'll give you a concealment, I'll give you a suppression, I'll give you a hide, I'll give you a cover-up
Common mistakesSaying 'displayed for me' instead of 'displayed to me'., Using 'display' as a noun when a verb is required., Confused with 'exhibit' which has a more formal tone.Confuse with 'demonstrate' as a verb., Omit 'a' before 'demonstration'., Use incorrect tenses (e.g., say 'I will gave you').
Usage notesUse 'display' in contexts involving showing information or items. It's appropriate for both written and spoken communication. Avoid in very informal situations where simpler words like 'show' may be preferred.Use this phrase when offering to show someone an example. Avoid in highly formal situations.

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I'll give you a demonstration

Frequently asked questions: Display vs I'll give you a demonstration

What's the difference between Display and I'll give you a demonstration?

Display: To show something so that people can see it. I'll give you a demonstration: I will show you how to do something.

Which is more common: Display and I'll give you a demonstration?

Display is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Display: Please display the results on the screen for everyone to see. I'll give you a demonstration: Let me give you a demonstration of how this machine works.

Can I use Display and I'll give you a demonstration interchangeably?

Not always. Display and I'll give you a demonstration are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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