2024-12-10 Verbs to use with ‘example’ – English In A Minute

Introduction

Examples are versions of something that are typical and can help us understand something. There are some words that we often use with ‘example’. These are called collocations. Learn some of the verbs that we often use with the noun ‘example’ with Phil in this video.

Common collocations with ‘example’

give an example
If we give an example, we tell it to someone, or we put it in our writing. We often do this to help someone understand something.

• I don’t think that’s going to work. I can give you lots of examples of when we tried it before and failed.

provide an example
Provide an example is similar to give an example. It means we tell someone an example or include it in our writing.

• I’m applying for funding, so I‘ve provided some examples of how I intend to spend the money.

find an example
When we look at information, we might try to find an example that shows something is true. 

• We‘ve found three examples of problems which show why we need to make this product safer.

take as an example
When you take something as an example, you think it shows something. 

• We can take this song as an example of traditional music.

include an example
When you say something, you can include examples – that means tell people about them, to make your argument stronger.

• I’m asking for a pay rise. I‘ve included a number of examples of how I’ve made the business more profitable. I’m sure you’ll agree that I’m valuable to the company.

cite an example
If you cite an example, you mention it or highlight it as something that supports a point that you are making.

• I‘m citing this example to show how the author uses beautiful language.

draw from an example
If you draw from an example, then you use it to support your argument. You may be adding more information in order to make your argument, using the examples as a base.

• We can draw from a number of past examples to predict the outcome of future projects.

TRANSCRIPT

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Phil
Let me give you some examples of verbs to use with ‘example’. We give an example, or provide an example if we tell it to someone or put it in our writing.

I‘ll give you an example of why I’m annoyed!
I can provide you with some examples of my work, so you can see what I can do.

You might be trying to find examples that show something’s true when you are doing research. You can take something as an example when you think it shows something.

I found many examples of this problem in the data.
We can take this song as an example of traditional music.

We often include examples in an argument. When you cite examples, you say that they support your argument. Drawing from examples means using examples to make an argument.

I‘ve included examples of waste. I can cite all of them to show why we are losing money.

I‘ve drawn from a range of examples to show why this is a problem.
We‘ve provided some examples of verbs to use with ‘example’. Have you found any others?