to provide an example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to provide an example" is correct and usable in written English.
For example: "He brought up several examples to provide an example of how his idea could be applied to real-world scenarios."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm going to provide an example".

The New York Times

But he said the European Union was committed to sustainable fishing and ready to provide an example.

The New York Times

The Malahat closures were meant to provide an example of the congestion that has affected the region as a whole.

The Economist

(Mr. Cuomo's aides were unable to provide an example of Mr. McCall or any of his aides using the phrase quoted by Mr. Cuomo).

The New York Times

It fell to Greer to provide an example of the latter, speaking of someone so generous that "he'd give you his arsehole and shit through his ribs".

The Guardian

"The idea of doing this together rather than separately is mostly to provide an example of what is possible," says Antoine Azar, chair of Refrigerants Naturally!

The Guardian

It offers a clear storyline and an indicative set of goals to provide an example of how this might all translate into a post-2015 agenda.

The Guardian

Romney said he would keep taxes down by closing loopholes but declined to provide an example of a loophole he would close.

The Guardian

She ended it by permitting Wyden additional time to ask the intelligence chiefs to provide an example of when the spy agencies needed phone data urgently that was too old for telecoms to provide through normal processes.

The Guardian

Naturally, it contains pictures of moral virtue designed to provide an example to the students, but there are also stirring landscapes, seascapes and historical scenes by leading 19th-century British painters.

The New York Times

For example, you may be asked to "describe a time you've successfully used communication skills" or to "provide an example of a situation when you dealt with conflict in your team".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place "to provide an example" strategically within your sentence for clarity. It often works well at the beginning of a sentence or clause to signal the upcoming illustrative point.

Common error

While "to provide an example" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives such as "to illustrate", "for instance", or "to demonstrate" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to provide an example" functions as an infinitive phrase used to introduce illustrative instances. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, serving as a transitional element to guide the reader toward a clarifying detail.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to provide an example" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to introduce clarifying instances across numerous contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It's observed most frequently in scientific and news media sources. While appropriate in most situations, varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "to illustrate" or "for instance" will improve writing quality. When you use it, remember clarity is key and to not overuse it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to give an illustration

Focuses on visually clarifying a point rather than just offering any example.

to offer a demonstration

Suggests a more active and practical display of how something works.

to cite a case in point

Emphasizes a specific instance directly relevant to the discussion.

to present a scenario

Implies a hypothetical or real situation used for analysis or explanation.

to furnish an instance

A more formal and less common way of providing an example.

to show a sample

Suggests offering a representative part to demonstrate the whole.

to adduce an illustration

A more formal way to provide an example as evidence.

to quote an instance

Emphasizes the use of a direct quote as an example.

to detail a situation

Focuses on providing comprehensive information about an example.

to recount a happening

Suggests narrating an event to serve as an illustrative example.

FAQs

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

You can use "to provide an example" to introduce a specific instance that clarifies or supports a broader statement. For instance, "To explain the concept of supply and demand, I'll provide an example from the housing market."

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

Instead of "to provide an example", you can use phrases like "to illustrate", "for instance", "to demonstrate", or "to cite a case", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "for example, to provide an example"?

Yes, using "for example, to provide an example" is typically redundant. It's better to choose one phrase or the other to avoid unnecessary repetition. Simply use "for example".

When is it most appropriate to use "to provide an example" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "to provide an example" when you want to explicitly signal that you are about to offer a specific case or instance to support a general point or argument. This is especially useful in academic, scientific, or professional writing.