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Examples can be used to add color and clarity to your writing, and the phrase "for example" is an elegant way to set them off. Generally, the phrase is a transition that helps you smoothly explain how the material that follows it relates to what comes before. Below, we've gathered some tips that will help you place "for example" in a sentence and use it effectively.

How to Write “For Example”

  • Set “for example” off with commas or parentheses to improve readability.
  • Use the phrase at the beginning of a sentence if the whole sentence is an example.
  • Use “for example” to introduce a non-exhaustive list, describe a specific scenario, or emphasize that something is true.
1

Start with "for example" if your example is a whole sentence.

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  1. When used at the beginning of the sentence, the phrase "for example" introduces the example you're going to use. Here are some sentences with "for example" at the beginning:[1]
    • "Nurture creativity at home. For example, chalkboard paint allows kids to draw on walls."
    • "Getting in your daily exercise doesn't have to be difficult. For example, Jaime walks every evening after dinner."
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3

Move "for example" to the end to improve readability.

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4

Set "for example" off with commas.

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  1. The phrase "for example" explains to your readers how the information that follows it relates to the information that came before it. The commas enhance readability and reduce the obscurity in your sentence. Whether you put commas before, after, or both before and after depends on where you have the phrase in your sentence.
    • At the beginning of the sentence: "Many animals are monogamous. For example, otters mate for life."
    • In the middle of the sentence: "Many animals are monogamous. Otters, for example, mate for life."
    • At the end of the sentence: "Many animals are monogamous and mate for life—otters, for example."
6

Add a comma before "for example" mid-sentence.

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  1. When it comes in the middle of a sentence, "for example" tells your readers that the words that follow shift the focus of the sentence slightly. The same principle applies if you have "for example" at the end of your sentence, except that the comma following the phrase isn't needed.
    • Here it is in the middle of a sentence: "Kelly expected us to bring our own supplies, for example, our notebooks and pens."
    • If you had "for example" at the end of a sentence, it might look like this: "Kelly expected us to bring our own supplies: our notebooks and pens, for example."
7

Use a semi-colon to enhance readability.

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  1. A semi-colon indicates a longer pause than a comma and provides a resting place between 2 related ideas. It also makes your sentence easier to read when there are already a lot of commas. Typically the semi-colon comes immediately before "for example." Here are some examples:[5]
    • "Find ways to fit activity into your day; for example, you could take the stairs instead of the elevator."
    • "You don't need artistic training or talent to be creative; for example, paint-by-numbers kits allow novices to create beautiful works of art."
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9

Set off a hypothetical scenario.

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  1. Examples allow you to take a theoretical concept and show how it operates in the real world. With "for example, you're taking the concept and applying it to a set of fictional circumstances. This shows your readers one possible way the concept could work. Here are some examples:[7]
    • "For example, if Judy bakes 4 cakes each day for 5 days, she would bake 20 cakes each week"
    • "Children risk injury when playing with dangerous toys. For example, if you buy your child a BB gun, they could shoot their eye out."
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10

Provide an illustration of a previous point.

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  1. Your illustration can be real or imagined—either way, it adds some life and color to your writing. Just as a drawing provides a visual image of text, a verbal illustration helps your readers picture the idea in their minds. Here are some examples:[8]
    • "Make language learning easier through immersion. For example, you could listen to music in the language you want to learn while doing chores."
    • "You don't have to take art classes to be creative. For example, you can use a paint-by-numbers kit to create a piece of art suitable for framing."
11

Describe a single case when there are other possible cases.

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  1. The phrase "for instance" works better when you're talking about 1 particular case specifically. But if your example isn't meant to be specific, "for example" is a better choice. Here are some examples:[9]
    • "Many careers require you to perform in high-pressure situations. EMTs, for example, save the lives of people in trauma."
    • "Common cooking ingredients often have other uses. For example, you can use baking soda to clean and deodorize your refrigerator."
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12

Emphasize that something is true.

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  1. This is particularly effective if you're talking about something subjective. While you may not be able to demonstrate conclusively that the statement is true, you can list an example that backs it up so your readers are more inclined to believe you.[10]
    • Here it is in a sentence: "Everyone loves Mary's cupcakes. For example, Julian begs for them and he doesn't even like sweets."
    • Here's another one: "The service at Tom's Diner is too slow. Last night, for example, we had to wait for 2 hours to get our food!"
    • If you want to improve your writing skill, you should write a lot.[11]
    • It is good to have a writing routine. Write in a journal every day.[12]
    • The main exercise for writing well is to read a lot and understand the language through reading.[13]

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Tips

  • In academic writing, the abbreviation "e.g." (short for the Latin phrase "exempli gratia") frequently takes the place of "for example," particularly in parenthetical phrases or footnotes.[14]
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About This Article

Grant Faulkner, MA
Co-authored by:
Professional Writer
This article was co-authored by Grant Faulkner, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Grant Faulkner is the Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and the co-founder of 100 Word Story, a literary magazine. Grant has published two books on writing and has been published in The New York Times and Writer’s Digest. He co-hosts Write-minded, a weekly podcast on writing and publishing, and has a M.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University.  This article has been viewed 169,217 times.
17 votes - 62%
Co-authors: 8
Updated: June 7, 2024
Views: 169,217
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 169,217 times.

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