Other Ways to Say "For Example" in an Essay For 2025

Are you tired of using for example over and over in your essays? Do you find yourself searching for fresh, engaging alternatives to make your writing stand out? You’re not alone! Many writers struggle with finding the right words to introduce examples. But don’t worry—this article is here to save the day.

Whether you’re writing a formal essay, having a casual conversation, or crafting a professional email, there’s a perfect phrase for every situation. Let’s dive into over 120 alternatives to for example, categorized for formal, informal, idiomatic, and professional contexts. By the end of this article, you’ll have a toolbox of phrases to elevate your writing and speech.

1. Formal Ways to Say For Example

When writing academic papers, reports, or formal essays, you need phrases that sound polished and professional. Here are 30+ formal alternatives to for example:

To illustrate
As an illustration
By way of illustration
For instance
In particular
Specifically
Namely
To demonstrate
As evidence
As a case in point
In this case
As shown by
To cite an instance
In other words
To give an example
As proof
In support of this
To clarify
To exemplify
As a model
In this instance
To shed light on
To highlight
To underscore
To emphasize
To point out
To make this clear
To put it another way
To simplify
To break it down
To elaborate

2. Informal Ways to Say For Example

For casual conversations, blog posts, or creative writing, you can use these 30+ informal expressions to keep things light and engaging:

Like
Say
Such as
For one
As an example
Take
Imagine
Picture this
Think of it like this
Let’s say
Case in point
Here’s the thing
For starters
To give you an idea
To show you what I mean
To put it simply
To break it down
To give you a sense
To paint a picture
To spell it out
To make it plain
To make it clear
To give you the gist
To give you a taste
To give you a peek
To give you a snapshot
To give you a glimpse
To give you a feel
To give you a sense of it
To give you an idea of what I’m talking about

3. Idiomatic Ways to Say For Example

Idiomatic expressions add flair and personality to your writing. Use these 30+ idiomatic phrases to make your examples more colorful:

A prime example
A classic case
A shining example
A textbook case
A perfect example
A case in point
A clear instance
A notable example
A striking example
A telling example
A vivid example
A fitting example
A typical example
A representative example
A glaring example
A standout example
A quintessential example
A hallmark example
A defining example
A key example
A central example
A core example
A foundational example
A pivotal example
A critical example
A crucial example
A significant example
A prominent example
A leading example
A foremost example

4. Professional Ways to Say For Example

In professional settings like emails, meetings, or presentations, you need phrases that are clear and concise. Here are 30+ workplace-friendly alternatives:

To illustrate this point
As an example
For instance
To give you an idea
To demonstrate
To clarify
To highlight
To emphasize
To underscore
To point out
To make this clear
To put it another way
To simplify
To break it down
To elaborate
To provide context
To give context
To offer an example
To present an example
To share an example
To cite an example
To reference
To draw attention to
To bring up
To mention
To note
To indicate
To suggest
To propose
To introduce

Conclusion: Choose the Right Phrase and Elevate Your Writing

Using the right phrase to introduce examples can make your writing more engaging, clear, and professional. Whether you’re writing an essay, chatting with friends, or drafting a work email, there’s a perfect alternative to for example waiting for you.

Practice using these phrases in your daily writing and conversations. Over time, they’ll become second nature, and your communication skills will shine. So, go ahead—experiment with these alternatives and watch your writing transform