for instance only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for instance only" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when emphasizing that the following example is just one of many possible instances. Example: "There are many ways to improve your writing; for instance only, you could focus on clarity and conciseness."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Now, for instance, only 12-ounce sports drinks can be sold in high school rather than 20 ounces.

The New York Times

Ten years ago, for instance, only one bank, Credit Suisse, ranked among the top 10 debt underwriters.

The New York Times

Ration your time online, for instance only checking email once every two hours.

The Guardian - Money

Of all the horses we took to the Boer war, for instance, only one came back.

The Guardian

One could travel to Jones Beach, for instance, only by private automobile.

The New York Times

In Malawi for instance, only 10% of health facilities offer CD4 counts.

The Guardian

For instance, only about 40 of the 220 campgrounds of the National Park Service accept reservations.

The New York Times - Travel

For instance, only Tokyo has a subway system that carries more people than its buses.

The New York Times

For instance, only 27 practicing Jews live in Cienfuegos, a picturesque city on a bay.

The New York Times - Travel

Some policies, for instance, only pay out for "licensed" assisted-living facilities.

The New York Times

Taxing yacht owners, for instance, only encouraged them to moor their boats elsewhere, emptying Greek marinas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for instance only", ensure that the limitation is relevant and adds value to the sentence. If not, consider using just "for instance".

Common error

Avoid using "for instance only" when the 'only' aspect is already implied or irrelevant. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and awkward. Ask yourself if emphasizing the 'only' adds meaningful context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for instance only" serves as an adverbial phrase that introduces an example. It qualifies the example by emphasizing it is not the only one, but merely one instance among potentially many. Ludwig shows many examples of this usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for instance only" is used to introduce an example while emphasizing that it is just one of many possibilities. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound awkward if overused. Ludwig AI suggests that simpler alternatives like "for instance" or "for example" may be more effective in certain contexts. Its usage spans across News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, reflecting a generally neutral tone. While the phrase is acceptable, considering alternative phrasing can enhance the clarity and flow of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for example only

Replaces "instance" with "example", keeping the focus on providing an illustrative case with limitation.

as an example only

Adds "as" to the beginning, providing a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

specifically as an example

Emphasizes the role of example, clarifying its function as illustrative.

merely as an illustration

Replaces "for instance" with "merely as an illustration", highlighting the illustrative nature of the example.

simply as a case in point

Replaces the phrase with a slightly more verbose option, while still serving the same function.

just as one case

Focuses on the example being just one of several possible cases, emphasizing its non-exclusivity.

for the sake of example

Highlights the fact that an example is used for the sake of clarity.

as a sole instance

Highlights the singularity and uniqueness of the example being presented.

only by way of example

Introduces the example as just one means of many to show something.

purely for demonstration

Shifts the focus to the demonstration aspect, implying that the example is used for illustrative purposes only.

FAQs

What does "for instance only" mean?

The phrase "for instance only" introduces an example, while also implying that it is just one of many possible examples and not the exclusive one. It's a way of illustrating a point without suggesting that the example is the only relevant case.

When should I use "for instance only" instead of "for instance"?

Use "for instance only" when you want to emphasize that the example you are providing is just one of several possibilities and not the complete picture. If the 'only' aspect is clear or not important, "for instance" is sufficient.

What are some alternatives to "for instance only"?

You can use alternatives like "for example only", "as an example only", or "merely as an illustration" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "for instance only" grammatically correct?

Yes, "for instance only" is grammatically correct, although it can sometimes sound a bit awkward or redundant. While the phrase is acceptable, always consider whether simpler options like "for instance" or "for example" might be more effective.