example for what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "example for what" is not standard in written English. It can be used informally to ask for clarification about the purpose of an example. For instance, "Can you give me an example for what you mean by that?" Alternative expressions include "example of what," "example regarding," and "example for which."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

I challenge the nominee to set the example for what our country can and should represent".

The New York Times

That is a fantastic example for what we can expect in 2006.

The Guardian - Sport

He likes to set a positive example for what he calls "the younger cats".

The New York Times

And, once again, how are you practicing and setting an example for what you teach?

University of California, Berkeley

Zimberoff said SRAM sees itself as an example for what other workplaces should do.

The Washington Post

Other school systems that need to be transformed might consider looking at Baltimore's example for what works and what could be replicated.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Today Facebook published 25 pages of detailed criteria and examples for what is and isn't allowed.

TechCrunch

I offer three examples for what business can do to solve the complex issue of inequality and promote sustainable development.

HuffPost

The three points discussed can, thus, be seen as main examples for what has to be considered when selecting the normative background for an empirical-ethical research project.

BMC Medical Ethics

Take Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, for example: perfect, for what it is.

Vice

For example, what does screening for colon cancer really cost?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In highly formal academic writing, consider if "example of what" might be a smoother fit for simple identification.

Common error

Do not use "example for what" when you are simply identifying a member of a category (e.g. "This is an example for a fruit"). In those cases, "of" is mandatory. Use "for" only when the relationship implies a purpose or a standard for something else to follow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "example for what" primarily functions as a noun phrase with a prepositional complement. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to introduce an illustrative case that defines a standard or a future state, often acting as a predictive or benchmarking tool within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "example for what" is a robust and widely utilized expression in high-quality English journalism and professional discourse. While traditional grammar often favors "example of what" for simple categorization, Ludwig AI shows that "for" is frequently used when the speaker intends to set a benchmark, provide a lesson, or define a future possibility. It is especially prevalent in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian when discussing leadership, social change, and systemic improvements. When using this phrase, ensure that the context implies a purpose or a standard to be met, rather than a mere description of a category. Ultimately, it is a versatile tool for writers who want to highlight the significance and potential impact of a specific instance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

example of what

Uses the standard preposition "of" for possessive or descriptive identification

illustration of what

Emphasizes the visual or explanatory nature of the instance

model for what

Suggests the example should be imitated or used as a structural guide

exemplar of what

Provides a more formal and academic tone for a perfect representative

standard for what

Shifts focus to a benchmark or criterion of quality

case for what

Often implies an argumentative or justificatory context

template for what

Focuses on the replicable structure or pattern provided

paradigm for what

Used in intellectual or scientific contexts to denote a conceptual framework

blueprint for what

Metaphorical usage focused on planning and future construction

demonstration of what

Highlights the active showing or proving of a concept

FAQs

How to use "example for what" in a sentence?

You can use it to define a standard, such as: "The city is setting an example for what sustainable living can look like". It is often preceded by verbs like "set", "provide", or "serve as".

What is the difference between "example for what" and "example of what"?

While "example of what" is the most common and standard form for identifying a type, example for what is often used in journalistic and professional contexts to suggest a benchmark, purpose, or future goal.

Is "example for what" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is acceptable and widely used in professional media like The New York Times and BBC. However, Ludwig AI notes it is less standard than "of" for simple descriptions, performing better when describing a role or objective.

What can I say instead of "example for what"?

Depending on your intent, you might use "model for what", "illustration of what", or "standard for what".