How to say “for example” like a native speaker
Introduce one case that illustrates a larger point. It is useful in explanations, work discussions and everyday stories.
All phrases · Small talk
Hear “for example” in real speech
Clip 1 · BBC Learning English
Our favourite sweet foods 🍦🍭🍫 Practise your listening with Real Easy English · 5:29
About this video
Phil and Georgie discuss desserts in this BBC Learning English conversation. They talk about having a sweet tooth, wanting sugar after meals and memorable puddings.
In context
Yes. If you really like puddings and desserts and sweet things, you could be described as 'having a sweet tooth'.I have a sweet tooth, for example.
Yes. Of course, puddings aren't just sweet.
Clip 2 · Dan Gilbert
Why we make bad decisions | Dan Gilbert · 3:47
About this video
Dan Gilbert discusses why people make poor decisions despite having ways to compare possible outcomes. He introduces Daniel Bernoulli's approach and uses everyday examples to explore judgement.
In context
That's not a bad rule of thumb, except when it is.So, for example, here's a word puzzle.
Are there more four-letter English words with R in the third place or R in the first place?
Clip 3 · Bill Gates
Bill Gates: Teachers need real feedback · 4:35
About this video
Bill Gates argues that teachers need useful feedback, just as athletes need coaching. He discusses classroom videos and student surveys as ways for teachers to identify areas to improve.
In context
We had observers watch videos of teachers in the classroom and rate how they did on a range of practices.For example, did they ask their students challenging questions?
Did they find multiple ways to explain an idea?
When to use “for example”
- Explaining what to bring: “Bring something warm, for example a thick jumper.”
- Describing useful practice: “You can repeat a short greeting, for example ‘How are you?’”
Common learner mistake
When introducing a complete example, use “for example”, not “for an example”.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “for example”
“For” is often weak. “Example” has its main stress on the second syllable, and the R may link into its opening vowel in linking-R accents.
Related phrases
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