to illustrate an example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to illustrate an example" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to clarify or provide a specific instance that supports a point or argument you are making. Example: "To illustrate an example, consider the case of a student who improved their grades through consistent study habits."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Stories work particularly well to illustrate an example.

The Guardian

The binary matrices were subjected to hierarchical agglomerative cluster analyses performed by means of the hclust- function within R. To illustrate an example of cluster analyses, Figure 4 depicts a result of a dataset comprising 873 MS/MS peak lists.

Chemistry Central Journal

The strength of the mass loading effect in a given solar wind situation depends on the production rate of new ions and the mass of ions. Figure 3 was chosen to illustrate an example when the mass loading strongly deflects the solar wind flow.

Earth, Planets and Space

The following example might serve to illustrate an example for this activity.

Histochemistry and Cell Biology

To illustrate, an example is provided where data is missing from the items of a questionnaire scale.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

To illustrate an example of curation steps used in 3PFDB, we have provided the example of RGS family in Figure 1.

BioData Mining

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Finally, we illustrate an example to characterize the optimal product differentiation points.

European Journal of Operational Research

Many books use a pizza slice to illustrate a triangle, for example, even though slices are rounded at one end.

The New York Times - Health

Appendix A gives a simple example to illustrate a derivation required for the analysis (theta).

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

2) The TINE1 element is not a good example to illustrate a "new family" of retroelements.

Biology Direct

To illustrate with an example context, we choose an extended version of PI that has an isomorphic second question.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to illustrate an example", ensure that the example directly supports the point you are making and is clearly explained for the reader. This phrase works best when introducing a specific and relevant instance.

Common error

Avoid over-explaining the connection between your point and the example after using "to illustrate an example". A brief explanation is sufficient; the example should largely speak for itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to illustrate an example" functions as a discourse marker. It signals the writer's intention to provide a specific instance or case that helps clarify or support a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI suggests, it serves to engage the reader by grounding abstract ideas in concrete realities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to illustrate an example" is a grammatically sound construction used to introduce a specific instance that clarifies or supports a broader point. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable. While less common than simpler alternatives like "to give an example", it is frequently used in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the example is relevant and clearly explained, avoiding redundancy. Consider using alternatives like "by way of example" or "to demonstrate a point" for variety. Remember to maintain clarity and conciseness in your explanation to effectively convey your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by way of example

Expresses the same idea using a different prepositional phrase, which is common and widely understood.

to exemplify a case

Replaces "example" with "case" and "illustrate" with "exemplify", slightly more formal.

as a case in point

A common idiomatic phrase that directly introduces an example.

to demonstrate a point

Focuses on demonstrating a specific idea rather than just an example.

to provide an instance

Replaces "example" with "instance" and "illustrate" with "provide", less vivid.

to showcase an instance

Uses "showcase" instead of "illustrate", emphasizing a clear presentation of the example.

as an illustration of

Changes the structure to a prepositional phrase, making it slightly more formal.

to cite an occurrence

Replaces "example" with "occurrence" and "illustrate" with "cite", more suitable for academic contexts.

for the purpose of illustration

Emphasizes the intention of providing an example but is lengthier.

to offer a demonstration

More formal, emphasizing a detailed explanation of the example.

FAQs

How can I use "to illustrate an example" in a sentence?

Use "to illustrate an example" to introduce a specific instance that clarifies or supports a broader point. For example: "To illustrate an example, consider the case of a company that successfully implemented sustainable practices".

What are some alternatives to "to illustrate an example"?

You can use alternatives such as "by way of example", "to demonstrate a point", or "as an illustration of" depending on the context.

Which is more concise: "to illustrate an example" or "to give an example"?

"To give an example" is more concise. While both phrases serve a similar purpose, "to give an example" is more straightforward and less verbose.

What's the difference between "to illustrate an example" and "to provide context"?

"To illustrate an example" introduces a specific case. "To provide context" sets the scene or background information necessary to understand something. They serve different, though sometimes complementary, roles.