for example only

USAGE SUMMARY

"for example only" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, let's say you are writing a paper about how the internet has changed the way people socialize. You could include a sentence such as, "The internet provides many different ways to stay connected with friends and family, for example only video calls, chatting apps, and social media sites."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

EasyJet, for example, only uses A320s.

The Telegraph

Last year, for example, only 218 became eligible to retire.

The New York Times

They had, for example, only six complete games last season.

The New York Times - Sports

Google Translate, for example, only speaks about 90 languages.

MIT Technology Review

At Facebook, for example, only former employees can sell stock.

The New York Times

Last Wednesday, for example, only four people had made reservations.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, for example, only 14 call options were bought.

The New York Times

The "zero emission" rating, for example, only applies to the tailpipe emissions.

The Guardian - Tech

(In New York, for example, only Fordham University's excellent WFUV-FM plays this music).

The New York Times - Books

In New York, for example, only 53% of millennials get to work by car.

The Guardian - Money

For example, only 8.5% of those taking a computing exam were girls.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for example only" when you want to explicitly signal that the example you are providing is not exhaustive and that other possibilities exist. This helps avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid presenting an example introduced by "for example only" as definitive or the only relevant instance. Ensure the surrounding text clarifies that it's just one possibility among many.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for example only" serves as an introductory phrase to indicate that the following statement is just one possible instance or illustration. It qualifies the example to ensure that it is not viewed as comprehensive or the sole representation. Ludwig AI confirms this as a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for example only" is used to introduce a non-exhaustive instance or illustration. Although grammatically correct, it's relatively rare, with prominent usage in science, news, and business contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a grammatically correct phrase. When writing, it's crucial to use this phrase to prevent any overstatement of the example's importance and clarify that other possibilities exist. While "for example" is often sufficient, adding "only" provides extra emphasis on the limited scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

By way of illustration only

Replaces "for example" with "by way of illustration" and maintains the "only" to emphasize the limited nature of the example.

As an illustration only

Uses "as an illustration" instead of "for example", keeping the limitation of the example with "only".

For illustrative purposes only

Emphasizes the purpose of the example is illustrative and nothing more.

As a case in point only

Employs "as a case in point" to introduce an example, maintaining the restrictive "only".

Merely as an example

Highlights that the provided instance is just one of many possibilities.

Just for instance

Shortens the phrase while retaining the meaning of providing an example.

Solely as an example

Underscores that the example is provided purely as an instance.

For a single instance

Highlights the singularity and non-exhaustive nature of the example.

As one possible example

Explicitly states that the given instance is just one of several possibilities.

For one case only

Reduces the phrase to a specific instance, maintaining its exclusivity.

FAQs

How can I use "for example only" in a sentence?

Use "for example only" to introduce an illustration that is non-exhaustive. For instance, you might say, "Various factors contribute to climate change; emission from factories is "for example only" one of them.".

What's a simple substitute for "for example only"?

Consider using phrases like "just for instance" or "as an illustration only" to achieve a similar effect of providing a non-definitive example.

Is it redundant to use "for example only"?

While "for example" already implies that it's one of many possibilities, adding "only" emphasizes this limitation. It's not strictly redundant, but it adds extra clarity to prevent misunderstanding.

How does "for example only" differ from "for example"?

The phrase "for example" introduces an instance without explicitly limiting its scope. Adding "only" to create "for example only" highlights that the example is not exhaustive and there may be other relevant instances.