INDEX:
1. a typical example of something
2. to give an example
3. what you say when you give an example
RELATED WORDS
see also
↑ TYPICAL
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1. a typical example of something
▷ example /ɪgˈzɑːmp ə lǁɪgˈzæm-/ [countable noun]
something that you mention because it is typical of the kind of thing that you are talking about :
▪ There are many ways in which technology has changed our lives. The car is an obvious example.
example of
▪ The church is an interesting example of the Gothic style.
▪ This painting is a typical example of Picasso’s work in his Blue Period.
give an example
▪ Attitude problems? Can you give me an example?
a good/typical/classic example
▪ Some activities are too expensive for poorer children to take part in. Horseriding is a good example.
▪ Max is a classic example of a man who can’t control his ambition.
a prime example
an example of something or someone you do not like
▪ Hitler, Mussolini, Franco: all prime examples of men hungry for power.
a shining example
an example of something you admire
▪ The school is a shining example of what parent-teacher co-operation can achieve.
▷ case /keɪs/ [countable noun]
an example of something that happens, especially something bad :
case of
▪ There have been some cases of women employees being fired because they are pregnant.
in one case/in some cases/in every case
▪ In one case a man was charged $2000 for a simple medical check-up.
a classic case
a very typical case
▪ Recent government spending on schools is a classic case of too little, too late.
in somebody’s case
▪ Seat belts are supposed to prevent serious injury, but they didn’t work in my case.
▷ instance /ˈɪnstəns/ [countable noun]
an example of a particular kind of situation or event :
▪ Some users of Ecstasy have actually died, but such instances are very rare.
instance of
▪ Another instance of Charles’s outspokenness was his attack on his sister’s choice of husband.
in some instances
▪ The grey suit has been replaced in some instances with pink trousers and sandals.
▷ exemplify /ɪgˈzemplɪfaɪ, ɪgˈzempləfaɪ/ [transitive verb not in progressive]
if a particular person, situation, or type of behaviour exemplifies something, it is a typical example of it :
▪ This court exemplifies the values of fairness and justice.
▪ The modern spirit of revolt was best exemplified by the work of Kafka and Freud.
2. to give an example
▷ give (somebody) an example /ˌgɪv somebody ən ɪgˈzɑːmp ə lǁ-ˈzæm-/ [verb phrase]
to mention something as an example in order to explain what you mean, prove you are right etc :
▪ I don’t really understand what you mean. Could you give me an example?
▪ I think my theory could be best explained by giving an example from everyday life.
▪ To illustrate his point, he gave the example of the Amazonian tribe that had no contact with civilization.
▷ cite /saɪt/ [transitive verb] formal
to name a person, situation etc as a typical example of what you are talking about :
▪ I can cite several recent racial attacks which prove my point.
▪ The report contained details of the poison gas and cited examples of accidents involving it.
be cited as something
▪ Britain is often cited as an example of a declining industrial power.
3. what you say when you give an example
▷ for example/for instance /fər ɪgˈzɑːmp ə l, fər ˈɪnstənsǁ-ˈzæm-/ [adverb]
use this when you are giving an example :
▪ There are lots of famous buildings in Kyoto, for example the Golden Pavilion and the Tyoanyi Temple.
▪ There are some tasks which are your responsibility. For instance, it’s up to you to dismantle furniture and take down curtains.
▷ e.g./eg /ˌiː ˈdʒiː/ written
use this when you are giving an example or a series of examples. In British English, people usually write eg; in American English people usually write e.g. :
▪ Make sure you eat foods that contain protein, e.g. meat, cheese, fish, milk, or eggs.
▪ This course includes a study of basic language skills (eg speaking and listening).
▷ such as /ˈsʌtʃ æz/ [preposition] especially written
used when you want to give one or two typical examples of something but not all the examples that are possible :
▪ It is difficult to get even basic foods such as sugar and bread.
▪ People’s ability to do the tests is influenced by factors such as age, sex, and ethnic background.
▷ like /laɪk/ [preposition] especially spoken
used in spoken English when you are giving a example which is typical of what you mean :
▪ We could cook something easy, like pasta.
▪ We still haven’t settled a number of problems, like who is going to be in charge here while I’m away.
▷ take /teɪk/ [adverb] spoken
say this when you are talking about something and you want to give an example of a certain type of situation, person etc, in order to prove what you are saying is correct :
▪ I can think of lots of people who got worse grades than you and still have good jobs. Take Julie.
take somebody/something for example
▪ Take me for example. I’ve never relied on other people for help.
▷ be a case in point /biː ə ˌkeɪs ɪn ˈpɔɪnt/ [verb phrase]
a particular person, situation etc that is a case in point, is a very good or typical example of what you have just mentioned :
▪ Some birds have returned to England after once being extinct here. The return of the osprey is a case in point.
▪ Some women have managed to achieve success in football. A case in point is Anne Spencer.
▷ by way of illustration /baɪ ˌweɪ əv ɪləˈstreɪʃ ə n/ [adverb] formal
if you name a particular situation, person etc by way of illustration, you want to use them as a way of explaining what you mean :
▪ Other countries have totally different laws on abortion. By way of illustration let us look at the cases of Germany and Japan.
▷ to name but a few /tə ˌneɪm bət ə ˈfjuː/ [adverb]
if you say to name but a few after giving several examples of something, you mean that these are just a few examples of what you mean and there are many more :
▪ So many industries have been hit in the recession. Steel, coal, construction, to name but a few.