To illustrate

USAGE SUMMARY

"To illustrate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to give an example to explain a concept or point. For example, "To illustrate, if you eat five apples a day, you will get an ample supply of vitamins and minerals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To illustrate, she roof-raised.

The New York Times

To illustrate my point.

The New York Times - Arts

To illustrate, Beeman offers an example.

The New Yorker

To illustrate it, Ashby designed the homeostat.

The Guardian - Tech

To illustrate, consider the case of Honduras.

The Washington Post

To illustrate this, let's return to boats.

The New York Times

To illustrate the point.

Forbes

To illustrate today's phrase.

BBC

To illustrate, consider the case of motion.

SEP

To illustrate, consider the Turing machine.

SEP

To illustrate he tells a personal story.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "To illustrate", ensure that the example you provide directly and clearly supports the point you are making. A weak or irrelevant example can undermine your argument.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "To illustrate". Use synonyms like "For example" or "For instance" to maintain readability and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "To illustrate" functions as a discourse marker or transitional phrase. It signals the introduction of an example intended to clarify or support a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "To illustrate" is a versatile and grammatically sound transitional phrase used to introduce examples that clarify or support a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It enjoys widespread use across diverse contexts, from news media and scientific publications to encyclopedias, reflecting its adaptability and broad applicability. While highly functional, it is important to use it judiciously with a good example and to diversify your writing by incorporating related phrases such as "for example" or "for instance" to enhance readability and avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

For example

Offers a direct and simple way to introduce an instance, lacking the slightly more formal tone of the original phrase.

For instance

Similar in meaning, but slightly less formal and often used in more casual conversation.

As an illustration

This noun phrase version is slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of providing an illustration.

To give an example

Directly states the intention to provide an example, slightly less concise than the original phrase.

By way of example

A more elaborate and formal way to introduce an example, often used in academic or legal contexts.

Consider this case

Suggests a specific scenario for consideration, implying a more detailed analysis than a simple illustration.

Let's say

Introduces a hypothetical scenario, differing from the original phrase by focusing on a constructed example.

Suppose that

Similar to "Let's say", sets up a hypothetical situation to clarify a point, differing in tone.

In other words

Clarifies a previous statement by rephrasing it, rather than providing an example.

Specifically

Indicates a move to provide more detail, but doesn't necessarily introduce an example.

FAQs

How can I use "To illustrate" in a sentence?

"To illustrate" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce an example that clarifies a point. For example, "To illustrate, consider the case of Honduras."

What are some alternatives to "To illustrate"?

You can use alternatives such as "for example", "for instance", or "by way of example" to introduce an example.

Is it correct to use a comma after "To illustrate"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and generally recommended to use a comma after "To illustrate". For example, "To illustrate, consider the following scenario."

What is the difference between "To illustrate" and "In other words"?

"To illustrate" introduces an example to clarify a point, while "in other words" rephrases a statement for better understanding. They serve different purposes in clarifying information.