illustrate with

USAGE SUMMARY

"illustrate with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when describing how something is visually portrayed or demonstrated. For example: - The professor asked us to illustrate with examples in our essays. - The presenter will illustrate with graphs and charts to support their argument. - The children's book is beautifully illustrated with colorful images. - The cooking show illustrates with step-by-step instructions on how to make the dish. - The author's descriptive language skillfully illustrates with detail the scene in the story.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let me illustrate with a rough analogy.

The New York Times

Let me illustrate with a metaphor.

The Guardian

To illustrate with an example, let's stick with Cincinnati.

The Economist

In the meantime, as these two new accounts illustrate with varying success, comedy is not pretty.

The New York Times - Books

Let me illustrate with my experience at a major hospital in London.

Independent

I have a favorite Lynch saying: "Never invest in any idea you can't illustrate with a crayon".

The New York Times

As a theatre designer I don't think one should illustrate with the obvious and actually this isn't an installation about the horrors of war.

The Guardian

The Tories have focused their campaign on Britain's growing economy, a point they illustrate with blackboards showing positive statistics at campaign stops.

The Guardian

If you don't believe me, then allow me to illustrate with some of the finalists shortlisted for Student Volunteer of the Year award.

The Guardian

Each stage is designed to illustrate, with little allowance for subtlety – or health and safety – an aspect of life in the Soviet Union.

The Guardian - Travel

("What is love?" is easy if "An emotion" gets full marks; hateful if one must illustrate with sonnets and explain how neurotransmitters function).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illustrate with", ensure the examples you provide directly support and clarify the point you are making. Choose examples that are clear, relevant, and easily understood by your audience.

Common error

Avoid using examples that are too abstract or hypothetical when you "illustrate with". Ensure your examples are concrete and grounded in reality to effectively support your argument or explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illustrate with" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, serving to introduce an example that clarifies or supports a statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "illustrate with" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce examples that clarify or support a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to enhance understanding by making abstract concepts more tangible. The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, with a neutral register and is found frequently across News & Media and Scientific sources. Remember to choose clear and relevant examples when using this phrase to maximize its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exemplify with

Focuses on providing an example to demonstrate a point, similar to "illustrate with" but emphasizes the example itself.

demonstrate with

Highlights the act of showing how something works or is done, implying a more hands-on approach compared to "illustrate with".

show with

A simpler and more direct way of saying "illustrate with", focusing on the act of displaying something.

clarify with

Emphasizes making something easier to understand through the use of examples or details, overlapping with the purpose of "illustrate with".

explain with

Focuses on providing reasons or justifications, often using examples to support the explanation, similar to "illustrate with".

portray with

Highlights the act of depicting something, often through artistic or descriptive means, relating to the visual aspect of "illustrate with".

depict with

Similar to "portray with", emphasizing the visual representation of something.

elucidate with

Implies making something clear and understandable through detailed explanation and examples, a more formal alternative to "illustrate with".

reveal with

Focuses on uncovering or disclosing information using examples or evidence.

highlight with

Emphasizes drawing attention to specific aspects or details using examples.

FAQs

How can I use "illustrate with" in a sentence?

You can use "illustrate with" to introduce an example that clarifies a point, like: "Let me "illustrate with" a story about my childhood."

What's a good alternative to "illustrate with"?

Alternatives include "exemplify with", "demonstrate with", or "show with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "illustrate with" formal or informal?

"Illustrate with" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding language and the specific example provided.

What kind of examples work best when I "illustrate with"?

The best examples are those that are clear, relevant, and directly support the point you're making. Avoid examples that are too complex or tangential.