a little example of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little example of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a small or brief illustration of a concept or idea. Example: "To clarify my point, let me provide a little example of how this theory applies in real life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We were sitting one day and Caryl said: 'I want to have overlapping dialogue.' And I said: 'Oh, my God, how are we going to do that?' And we worked it out, using a forward slash, and even put a little example of how it would work at the front of the script.

The Guardian

It was a little example of how the well-paid stars sometimes give a little back.

BBC

Let me give you a little example of how LEAP has changed that debate.

Vice

Perhaps our readers would like a little example of what we're talking about.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It is in fact a masterly little example of that rare genre – utopian writing – and reminds us that the Guardian, for all it its progressiveness, technologically, politically and socially, is a newspaper deeply rooted in the utopian socialism of the end of the 19th century, which makes it both passionate and benevolent, a most uncommon combination.

The Guardian - Books

While it may not seem like it on the surface, this little example of computer vision is a bold step.

TechCrunch

That is my own little example of the effect of the Paralympics and I don't think that will ever fade".

BBC

So if-if you just put little examples of, things like that because a lot of people wouldn't realise that that was exercise because they're just boring jobs you do every day... .....

BMC Health Services Research

Here lies a little-noticed example of moral abdication.

The New York Times

A little-known example of the latter, Anderson went on, was Greenspan's role in the ending of the draft.

The New Yorker

The book, with chipper illustrations by Steven Guarnaccia, presents a little-known example of how gender-bending wartime role reversals weren't limited to Riveting Rosies, but also made an impact on boys like Mikey, who begins the story by proclaiming, "Boys don't knit!" and concludes it by providing an amputee with one perfect sock and his soldier father with two.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little example of", ensure the example is indeed concise and directly relevant to the point you're illustrating. Avoid lengthy or tangential examples.

Common error

Avoid using "a little example of" to introduce a major turning point or significant event. This phrase suggests a minor, illustrative case, and using it for something important undermines the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little example of" functions as an introductory phrase, specifically used to preface a brief or minor illustration. It serves to signal that the following information is intended as a concise demonstration, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

19%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little example of" serves as an introductory phrase to preface a brief illustration or instance, helping to clarify a concept in an accessible way. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and best suited for neutral to informal contexts. While not overly common, appearing primarily in news and media sources, it provides a useful tool for illustrating a point with a concise and relevant demonstration. It's important to ensure that the example provided is indeed minor and illustrative, avoiding its use for major events or turning points. Alternatives like "a small instance of" or "a brief illustration of" can be considered for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small instance of

Replaces 'example' with 'instance' and 'little' with 'small', keeping a similar level of informality.

a brief illustration of

Substitutes 'example' with 'illustration' and 'little' with 'brief', offering a slightly more formal tone.

a minor demonstration of

Uses 'demonstration' for 'example' and 'minor' for 'little', suggesting a more analytical perspective.

a slight case of

Employs 'case' instead of 'example' and 'slight' instead of 'little', indicating a less definitive instance.

a touch of

This alternative conveys a small quantity or degree of something, similar to a small instance.

a glimpse of

This phrase suggests a brief and partial view, emphasizing the limited nature of the example.

a token of

This phrase indicates something serving as a visible or tangible representation, implying symbolism.

a hint of

Suggests a subtle indicator or suggestion, rather than a full demonstration.

a taste of

Implies a brief experience or exposure, often used in the context of learning or discovering.

a microcosm of

Presents something small as a representative example of a larger system or phenomenon.

FAQs

How can I use "a little example of" in a sentence?

You can use "a little example of" to introduce a brief illustration or instance that clarifies a concept. For instance, "The recent policy change had several unintended consequences, and the increase in unemployment is "a little example of" this effect."

What are some alternatives to saying "a little example of"?

You can use alternatives such as "a small instance of", "a brief illustration of", or "a minor demonstration of" depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.

Is "a little example of" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a little example of" is generally more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "a brief illustration of" or "a concise demonstration of".

What's the difference between "a little example of" and "a key example of"?

"A little example of" introduces a minor or illustrative instance, while "a key example of" highlights a particularly important or representative case. The former suggests a small-scale effect, while the latter emphasizes significance.