the following examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the following examples" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a list or set of examples that illustrate a point or concept previously mentioned. Example: "To better understand the concept, consider the following examples: a cat, a dog, and a rabbit."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Consider the following examples.

The New York Times

The following examples illustrate both these situations.

Harvard Business Review

All of the following examples use Protothreads.

Cornell University

The following examples of escorted packages can all be customized.

The New York Times - Travel

Consider the following examples from the U.S. media.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The following examples illustrate the application of this section.

Cornell University

The following examples suggest their variety and vitality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the following examples demonstrate, the rewards of conversion can be rich.

The New York Times - Travel

Unfortunately, both of the following examples of typos in emails sent to bosses are true.

The Guardian - Tech

Take the following examples: "No eye contact.

BBC

The company gives the following examples.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the following examples", ensure that the examples directly and clearly support the point you're making. Avoid ambiguity by selecting examples that are concise and relevant.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "the following examples". Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "for instance" or "to illustrate" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the following examples" serves as a transitional phrase, specifically functioning as an introducer. It signals to the reader that a list of examples will be provided to support or clarify a previously mentioned point. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a common and usable phrase in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

26%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

16%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the following examples" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to introduce examples to support a statement. It functions as an introducer, offering clarity and support, and is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is perfectly usable in written English. While frequent across diverse sources like science, news, and academia, it’s essential to use the phrase judiciously to avoid repetition. By varying sentence structure with alternatives like "for example" or "to illustrate", writers can enhance their writing's engagement and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for example

A more concise and direct way of introducing an example or examples.

the subsequent instances

Replaces 'examples' with 'instances', suggesting a focus on specific occurrences and implies a chronological order.

the instances below

Uses 'instances' instead of 'examples' and employs 'below' to indicate physical placement, suitable for text where the examples are directly underneath.

the ensuing examples

Uses 'ensuing' to imply that the examples follow as a direct consequence of what has been mentioned.

consider these illustrations

Employs 'illustrations' to imply visual or explanatory examples, suitable when examples are more descriptive or figurative.

to illustrate this

Focuses on the act of illustrating a previously mentioned point, suitable for emphasizing clarification.

take these cases for instance

Offers a more conversational tone by using 'take these cases for instance', ideal for informal writing.

to demonstrate this point

Highlights the intention to prove or show the validity of a statement through examples.

the undermentioned examples

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of referring to examples that will be listed later.

as an illustration

Suggests a single, representative instance is being provided for clarity.

FAQs

How do I use "the following examples" in a sentence?

Use "the following examples" to introduce specific instances that support or clarify a point you've made. For example: "To understand the concept better, consider the following examples: "cats", "dogs", and "birds"."

What can I say instead of "the following examples"?

You can use alternatives like "for example", "to illustrate", or "consider these cases" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "the following examples" or "the examples below"?

Both are correct, but "the following examples" is more versatile and can be used regardless of the examples' placement. "The examples below" is specific to instances where the examples are physically located beneath the statement.

Can I use "the following examples" to introduce a single example?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to use "for example" or "for instance" when introducing only one example. Reserve "the following examples" for multiple instances.