show me an example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'show me an example' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are looking for a specific example to illustrate a point or demonstrate a concept. For example, you could say, "Can you show me an example of a successful marketing campaign?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Show me an example of us fund-raising," he said in a recent interview.

The New York Times

Show me an example of one that shouldn't have got public money.

The Guardian

At one point in our correspondence he asserted: "I do not attack environmentalists, show me an example".

The Guardian

Then again, the man who suspended him, Phil Griffin, president of MSNBC News, threw down a gauntlet before the election in an interview with The New York Times: "Show me an example of us fund-raising".

The New York Times

He strongly resists any charge of anti-Englishness –"Show me an example.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He pulls out his phone, and shows me an example: "This McDonalds.

The Guardian - Tech

And a very unofficial visit to an industrial estate in Leningrad, as it then was, showed me an example of a "planned" economy in utter chaos.

The Guardian - Business

After she'd put him through weeks of drills to improve his battered capacity for concentration, he was able to listen to passages several paragraphs long — she showed me an example, and it certainly wasn't simple — and could readily indicate the correct answers in sets of multiple-choice comprehension questions.

The New York Times - Magazine

These included for example "Show Me" an app that displays a white board, audio and video, and "iAnnotate" which is an app that can edit PDFs.

BMC Medical Education

Hershkovitz showed me a virtual example.

The New York Times - Magazine

Brown showed me a demo, for example, that quizzed a user about how well he was managing his diabetes.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "provide an instance" or "illustrate with a case" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "show me an example" without specifying the context. For instance, saying "show me an example" without mentioning what you need an example of can lead to vague or unhelpful responses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show me an example" functions as an imperative, specifically a request or command. It directly asks someone to provide a specific instance or illustration to clarify a point or concept. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "show me an example" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood imperative used to request a specific illustration or demonstration, as confirmed by Ludwig. While versatile, it is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly informal register. For more formal settings, alternatives like "provide an illustration" or "offer an instance" might be preferable. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the context or topic for which you need an example. Ludwig showcases the phrase's functionality in various contexts, emphasizing its utility in seeking clarity and grounding abstract concepts in reality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide an instance

Focuses on offering a specific case or occurrence as evidence.

illustrate with a case

Emphasizes demonstrating a point using a particular situation.

give a demonstration

Highlights showing how something works or what it looks like.

offer an illustration

Similar to providing an instance, but with a slightly more formal tone.

can you exemplify

Replaces "show me" with a direct request to exemplify something.

offer a concrete case

Stresses the use of a tangible or specific situation.

demonstrate with evidence

Focuses on showcasing proof or support through an example.

present a scenario

Suggests detailing a situation that serves as an example.

walk me through a scenario

Adding 'walk me through' requests a detailed step-by-step explanation using a scenario.

display an instance

Replaces "show me" with a more formal "display" to request the instance.

FAQs

How can I use "show me an example" in a sentence?

You can use "show me an example" to request a demonstration or illustration of something. For example, "Can you "show me an example" of effective teamwork?"

What is a more formal way to say "show me an example"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "provide an illustration", "offer an instance", or "exemplify". These alternatives are suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What does "show me an example" imply?

"Show me an example" implies that you are looking for a specific instance or demonstration to better understand a concept or situation. It is a direct request for clarification.

Is it better to use "show me an example" or "give me an example"?

Both phrases are acceptable and commonly used. "Show me an example" implies a visual or practical demonstration, while "give me an example" is a more general request. The best choice depends on the specific context.