had this example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had this example" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to refer to a specific instance or illustration, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "I had this example in mind when discussing the topic."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We've had this example of domestic slavery but people are being imported to work, almost for nothing, in industry," he told BBC Breakfast.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We have this example at the Deutsche Bank".

The New York Times

Updated at 4.19pm BST 4.16pm BST More simulacrum chat Patrick Murphy has this example.

The Guardian - Sport

We have this example of a $50 million mistake.

Forbes

We have this example of a jump rope: If you held one end and I held another, and you wiggled it or I wiggled it, it would wiggle all the way down the line.

Huffington Post

"It was the first time when you had this whole example of New York street culture that we now know of as hip-hop".

Vice

Whatever the reason may have been, this example is one of caution for others who make money from Airbnb listings.

TechCrunch

You've heard this example?

The New York Times

Said the words "So help me God" after taking the oath; other presidents have followed this example.

The New York Times - Arts

We have chosen this example since it readily illustrates many ideas that will be developed in the following sections.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Since then, some 120 countries have followed this example and enacted similar legislation - ensuring the public's right to know, empowering journalists and bolstering freedoms across the board.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "had this example" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "we have this example" or "this example illustrates" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Common error

Don't use "had" to introduce an example as if it's something you possess. Instead, use verbs like "have", "present", or "offer" to clearly indicate that you're providing an instance or illustration. For example, say "we have this example" rather than "we had this example".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had this example" attempts to introduce a specific case or instance. However, its use of "had" is often grammatically incorrect, as it suggests past possession rather than current relevance. Ludwig AI marks it as not correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had this example" is often grammatically incorrect and is considered suboptimal for formal use. Ludwig AI confirms this. While the phrase attempts to introduce a specific illustration or instance, the use of "had" creates ambiguity. It is better to opt for alternatives like "we have this example" or "this example illustrates" to ensure clarity. This phrase appears across multiple contexts, but with low frequency. Therefore, writers should exercise caution and choose clearer alternatives to effectively convey their intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

featured this case

Emphasizes that the example serves as a prominent or noteworthy illustration.

offered this illustration

Indicates the presentation of a specific example to clarify or explain something.

presented this illustration

Substitutes "had" with "presented" and "example" with "illustration", focusing on the act of showcasing a specific case.

analyzed this instance

Shifts the focus to an examination or detailed study of the particular case.

cited this occurrence

Highlights the act of referencing a specific event or incidence as an example.

considered this precedent

Indicates that a prior instance is being taken into account as a guide.

possessed this instance

Replaces "example" with "instance", altering the noun but retaining the sense of possessing a specific case.

demonstrated this scenario

Changes "example" to "scenario" and implies a showing or proving through a specific set of circumstances.

provided this evidence

Conveys that the example serves as supporting proof or data.

used this paradigm

Replaces "example" with "paradigm", suggesting that a model or pattern has been employed.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct way to say "had this example"?

You can use phrases like "we "have this example"", "this example illustrates", or "this case demonstrates" for better clarity and correctness.

Is "had this example" considered formal English?

No, "had this example" is not considered formal English. It's better to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives in formal writing, such as "this example shows" or "this case demonstrates".

What does it mean when someone says "had this example"?

It typically means they are referring to a specific instance or case that they intend to use as an illustration or a point of reference. However, the phrasing is grammatically awkward and should be rephrased.

Which is more appropriate: "we had this example" or "we have this example"?

"We "have this example"" is generally more appropriate and grammatically sound. "We had this example" might suggest that you possessed the example in the past but no longer do, which may not be the intended meaning.