give an example of

USAGE SUMMARY

"give an example of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when asking someone to provide a specific example to illustrate a point or clarify a concept. For example: - Can you give an example of how this new technology can be used in the workplace? - Please give an example of a time when you had to handle a difficult situation. - The teacher asked the students to give an example of a metaphor in the poem. "Make an example" is not a correct usage of language and should be avoided. A more appropriate phrase would be "provide an example" or "give an example."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can you give an example of each?

Yale University

Can you give an example of that?

Harvard Business Review

Canedy: I wanted to give an example of that.

The New York Times - Magazine

G.P.: Can you give an example of that?

The New Yorker

We give an example of a very simple subroutine.

Stanford University

Give an example of when they are useful.

Princeton University

Can you give an example of these cuts?

Columbia University

They give an example of an interdisciplinary training module designed to prepare future specialists.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

We give an example of applying this method over a three-dimensional glacial landscape in Kamchatka.

Quaternary Science Reviews

Finally, we give an example of m = 2 to validate our theory and method.

Applied Mathematics and Computation

Finally, we also give an example of empirical study on China Stock Market.

Systems Engineering Procedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give an example of", ensure the example directly and clearly supports the point you are making. Avoid ambiguous or tangential examples.

Common error

Avoid providing examples that are too general or don't directly illustrate the concept you're discussing. A weak example weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give an example of" functions as an imperative phrase used to request or prompt the provision of a specific instance or illustration to clarify or support a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

36%

News & Media

34%

Science

30%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "give an example of" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to request or provide illustrative instances across diverse contexts, particularly in academic, news, and scientific domains. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used correctly in the analyzed examples. While highly versatile, it's important to ensure that examples are clear and directly relevant to the topic at hand, replacing it if needed by alternatives like "provide an instance of" or "offer an illustration of" in order to give more nuance and color to the text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide an instance of

Replaces "give an example" with "provide an instance", focusing on a specific occurrence.

offer a concrete illustration of

Enhances "give an example" by adding "concrete illustration", underscoring the tangible nature of the example.

offer an illustration of

Substitutes "give an example" with "offer an illustration", highlighting a visual or descriptive representation.

cite a case of

Replaces "give an example" with "cite a case", emphasizing a specific situation or event.

present a demonstration of

Substitutes "give an example" with "present a demonstration", focusing on showing how something works.

furnish a representative sample of

Substitutes "give an example" with "furnish a representative sample", emphasizing the typical nature of the example.

share an anecdote about

Replaces "give an example" with "share an anecdote", emphasizing a brief, often personal story.

detail a situation where

Substitutes "give an example" with "detail a situation", focusing on providing a comprehensive account.

outline a scenario in which

Replaces "give an example" with "outline a scenario", emphasizing a hypothetical or projected situation.

describe a time when

Substitutes "give an example" with "describe a time", focusing on recounting a past experience.

FAQs

How can I use "give an example of" in a sentence?

You can use "give an example of" to request clarification or support for a statement. For example, "Can you "give an example of" when this approach has been successful?"

What can I say instead of "give an example of"?

You can use alternatives like "provide an example of", "illustrate with an instance", or "cite a case of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "make an example of" instead of "give an example of"?

No, "make an example of" has a different meaning, often implying punishment or warning. It's best to use ""give an example of"" when you want someone to provide an illustration.

What's the difference between "give an example of" and "explain"?

"Explain" involves providing a detailed account or reason, while ""give an example of"" involves providing a specific instance to clarify a point. Explanation offers understanding, while the example offers illustration.