exemplify

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "exemplify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to illustrate a point or idea with an example, for example: "Opportunities for learning abound in our modern world; the Internet has exemplified this by providing countless resources for self-education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But once there, their lives exemplify why the crowds have not followed in their wake.

The Guardian

They exemplify Chinese philosopher and poet Lao Tzu's saying: "A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him.

The Guardian

The episode also seemed to exemplify a sense that female anger no longer had the place in the mainstream that it had during the 1990s, when Clarkson was growing up listening to Alanis Morissette; she feels this is changing, raving about both Adele and country singer-songwriter Miranda Lambert's latest Pistol Annies project.

The Guardian - Music

In a class we wanted to exemplify British culture so my students analysed images cut out from magazines, from various perspectives.

The Guardian

The aim of this part of the course is to exemplify how, through close reading, deconstruction and textual analysis, students will be in a position to improve and develop their technique and approach to editing and re-writing.

The Guardian

Multiple problems ��� serious, longstanding problems – at Mid Essex Hospital Services Trust (MEHT) exemplify why the NHS has come up with its new "success regime", and why Essex as a whole is one of the first three areas of England to fall under it.

The Guardian

America's flourishing universities exemplify the former, Europe's the latter (see article).

The Economist

And a lot of credit is subsidised, which pushes up costs for the rest.Brazil's banks have many things to recommend them; indeed they seem to exemplify what might happen if regulators elsewhere got their every wish.

The Economist

Measures of this sort exemplify the bigotry that lies behind much of the opposition to mosque building in Europe.

The Economist

While they have nominally been incorporated into the country's National Guard, their leaders operate "according to their own plan", says Mr Tymchuk.The patriotic popular mood the volunteers exemplify puts Mr Poroshenko in a tight spot.

The Economist

But such harangues only exemplify the instinctive dirigisme that is a big part of Russia's problem.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exemplify" to introduce a specific example that clearly demonstrates a broader concept or principle. This helps to make your writing more concrete and understandable.

Common error

Avoid using "exemplify" when the example is already self-evident or widely known. Choose examples that add new insights or perspectives to your argument, rather than stating the obvious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exemplify" is as a transitive verb. It connects a subject (something that serves as an example) with an object (the concept or quality being illustrated). This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment and the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "exemplify" functions as a transitive verb used to illustrate a concept or idea through a clear, representative example. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and sees frequent use in various contexts. It's most commonly used in news and media publications, followed by scientific and formal business writing. While it’s a versatile term, it's best to avoid overuse with self-evident examples. Alternatives such as "illustrate", "demonstrate", and "represent" can provide nuanced alternatives to enrich your writing. Remember that "exemplify" enhances clarity and credibility when used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illustrate

Focuses on visually clarifying or demonstrating through examples.

demonstrate

Emphasizes the act of showing or proving something clearly and convincingly.

represent

Highlights the act of serving as a typical or outstanding example of something.

embody

Suggests a tangible representation or concrete expression of an abstract concept.

epitomize

Implies being the perfect example or ideal representation of something.

instance

Directly offers a specific case or occurrence that serves as an example.

show

Simple and direct way of indicating that something will be displayed or made evident as an example.

manifest

Points to how something appears or becomes clear through its existence or characteristics.

highlight

Focuses on emphasizing or drawing attention to a particular example or aspect.

underscore

Suggests emphasizing or stressing the importance of a point through a specific example.

FAQs

How can I use "exemplify" in a sentence?

The word "exemplify" is used to show or illustrate by example. For instance, you could say, "The artist's early works "exemplify his struggle" with form and color".

What are some synonyms for "exemplify"?

Synonyms for "exemplify" include "illustrate", "demonstrate", "represent", and "embody". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "exemplify" or "give an example of"?

"Exemplify" is more formal and concise. "Give an example of" is simpler and more direct. Use "exemplify" when you want to elevate the tone of your writing and when the example is a clear and representative case.

Can "exemplify" be used with abstract concepts?

Yes, "exemplify" can be used with abstract concepts. For example, "Her actions "exemplify courage"" shows how her behavior serves as a clear example of the abstract idea of courage.