think of an example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “think of an example” is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say “Try to think of an example that illustrates the concept we are discussing.” This phrase can be used in any context where you need to consider an example to further explain or support an idea or concept.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

I'm trying to think of an example.

The New Yorker

I can't think of an example from business.

The New Yorker

Can't think of an example offhand if you use "great power" pretty narrowly.

The New Yorker

Can you think of an example in the current Channel 4 listings, Dawn?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So I tried hard to think of an example that the students could grapple with.

The New York Times

"I can't think of an example of taking a single-choreographer company and combining it with a pre-existing company.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

If you cannot think of a real example, you can describe a hypothetical example".

The New York Times

"The primacy of politics over policy" - it's hard to think of a better example.

The Guardian

One can't think of a better example of public grief graciously expressed.

The Guardian

I'm hard pressed to think of a better example of science at the service of humanity.

The New York Times - Books

It's hard to think of a single example of a political concept that was coined in Britain and subsequently entered the American political vocabulary.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "think of an example", ensure the example directly relates to the topic at hand to provide clarity and relevance for your audience.

Common error

Avoid providing examples that are only tangentially related to the main point. Ensure that any example you "think of" directly illustrates the concept you are trying to explain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think of an example" functions primarily as a directive, prompting the listener or reader to generate or recall a specific instance that illustrates a concept or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "think of an example" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to request the generation or recollection of a specific instance. Ludwig AI validates this with numerous examples across diverse sources, including news, science, and general writing. It serves to clarify concepts and provide concrete illustrations, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various communication contexts. While "think of an example" is already widespread, it is important to ensure examples used are directly related to the main idea being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come up with an example

Focuses on the act of creating or devising an example, rather than just recalling one.

find an instance

Emphasizes the discovery of a specific occurrence.

recall an instance

Emphasizes the act of remembering a specific occurrence.

cite an illustration

Highlights the use of an example to clarify or support a point.

produce an illustration

Highlights the creation or provision of an example for clarity.

name a case

Suggests identifying a specific situation or event.

imagine a situation

Focuses on creating a mental picture of a possible event.

identify a parallel

Focuses on finding a similar situation or comparison.

envision a scenario

Stresses the mental creation of a hypothetical example.

conceptualize an instance

Highlights the process of forming a mental representation of an example.

FAQs

How can I use "think of an example" in a sentence?

You can use "think of an example" to introduce a request for someone to provide an illustration, such as "Can you think of an example where this principle applies?"

What's a more formal alternative to "think of an example"?

In a formal setting, you might ask someone to "cite an illustration" or "provide a case study" instead of asking them to "think of an example".

How does "think of an example" differ from "find an instance"?

"Think of an example" implies a mental process of recalling or creating an example, while "find an instance" suggests actively searching for a real-world occurrence.

What can I say instead of "think of an example" when brainstorming?

During a brainstorming session, you could ask participants to "come up with an example", "identify a parallel", or "imagine a scenario" to encourage creative thinking.