serve as an illustration

USAGE SUMMARY

"serve as an illustration" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to act as an example or demonstrate a point. Example: "The photo will serve as an illustration of the community's resilience in the face of adversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

There's a myth that could serve as an illustration here.

The New Yorker

The career of Norman Podhoretz might serve as an illustration.

The New York Times - Magazine

Successive titles in Spain and England serve as an illustration of his quality.

The Guardian - Sport

The idea was to assess whether a mushroom cloud would be visible from Earth, and therefore able to serve as an illustration of the United States' military might.

The New Yorker

His distortions serve as an illustration of a depressing remark once made by the literary theorist Stanley Fish - that the death of objectivity "relieves me of the obligation to be right"; it "demands only that I be interesting".

The New York Times

Therefore, the threat of cyberwar and its purported effects are a source of great concern for governments and militaries around the world, and several serious cyberattacks have taken place that, while not necessarily meeting a strict definition of cyberwar, can serve as an illustration of what might be expected in a real cyberwar of the future.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The rooftop Hula-Hoop piece could have served as an illustration for the Guagnini talk.

The New York Times - Arts

The video served as an illustration of the ills of the "post-feminist" world it claimed we lived in.

The Guardian

Corporate India "looks more like an exemplar of dynamic, competitive capitalism than of concentrated market power and economic entrenchment," the authors write.Crompton Greaves again serves as an illustration.

The Economist

While the Sun-Intel deal announced Monday had no impact during the December quarter, it serves as an illustration of A.M.D.'s precarious position as it tries to hold on to the market share gains of the past year.

The New York Times - Tech

It wasn't terribly dignified for the poor koala though, which had enough to worry about without serving as an illustration for the fact that a male koala's equipment is installed upside down, with the testicles at the top.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serve as an illustration", ensure that the example you provide clearly supports the point you are making. The connection should be obvious to the reader.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid overusing "serve as an illustration". Vary your language by using synonyms like "provide an example" or "exemplify" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve as an illustration" functions as a transitional phrase to introduce an example that clarifies or supports a point being made. It signals to the reader that an upcoming example will help them understand a concept or argument. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serve as an illustration" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to introduce examples that clarify or support a point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is utilized across various contexts, including science, news media, and formal business settings. While effective, it's important to ensure the example clearly supports the point being made and to vary your language to avoid overuse. Alternatives like "provide an example" or "exemplify" can enhance your writing style. By considering these guidelines, you can effectively use "serve as an illustration" to enhance the clarity and persuasiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act as an example

Replaces "serve" with "act", emphasizing the action of providing an example.

function as an illustration

Substitutes "serve" with "function", highlighting the role of the illustration.

provide an example of

Rephrases the entire expression to focus on the act of providing an example.

exemplify

Uses a single verb to replace the entire phrase, offering a more concise option.

demonstrate

Replaces the phrase with a single verb, focusing on the act of showing or proving something.

highlight

Uses a single verb to indicate that something is being brought to attention as a clear example.

offer a case in point

Introduces a specific instance that supports a broader argument or idea.

give a clear picture of

Focuses on providing a vivid or understandable representation.

show

Replaces the entire phrase with a simple, direct verb.

represent

Indicates that something stands for or embodies something else.

FAQs

How can I use "serve as an illustration" in a sentence?

The phrase "serve as an illustration" is used to introduce an example that helps clarify or support a point. For instance, "The data presented in this report can "serve as an illustration" of the company's financial growth".

What can I say instead of "serve as an illustration"?

You can use alternatives like "act as an example", "function as an illustration", or "provide an example of", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "serve as an illustration" or "serves as an illustration"?

The correct form depends on the subject of the sentence. Use "serve as an illustration" with plural subjects (e.g., "These cases serve as an illustration"). Use "serves as an illustration" with singular subjects (e.g., "This case serves as an illustration").

What is the difference between "serve as an example" and "serve as an illustration"?

"Serve as an example" is a broader term that indicates something is representative of a larger group or category. "Serve as an illustration" suggests something clarifies or demonstrates a particular point or concept. While similar, "illustration" implies a more explanatory purpose.