How to use "by way of example"

What Does "by way of example" Mean?

• Grammatical function: It serves as a connective expression that introduces an illustration or specific instance to clarify a general statement or idea. It indicates that what follows is an example meant to make the preceding statement more understandable.
• Typical sentence position: It can appear at the initial or medial position in a sentence.
• Register: Formal. It is generally used in more formal writing and speech compared to simpler alternatives like "for example."

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: It is typically followed by a comma and then the example itself. It often comes after a general statement that the example will illustrate.
• Punctuation rules: A comma usually follows "by way of example" when it appears at the beginning of a sentence. When it appears mid-sentence, it is often set off by commas.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence or be inserted within a clause. It cannot be negated directly, but the statement it introduces can be.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it in very informal or casual conversation might sound overly formal. Incorrect punctuation can also make the sentence awkward.

Real-World Examples

"By way of example, here toluene is that organic solvent." — Fluid Phase Equilibria

"By way of example, he mentioned his own marriage." — The New York Times - Arts

""Think about Rome," he said, by way of example." — The New York Times - Magazine

"By way of example, we focus on the tribal-collectivist perspective emanating from the Middle East." — The International Journal of Management Education

"In this paper, we describe the overall system and illustrate its potential by way of example." — Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/by+way+of+example

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
for example	More common and versatile; suitable for most situations.
for instance	Similar to 'for example' but can sometimes imply a more specific or detailed illustration.
to illustrate	More formal; emphasizes the act of providing a visual or descriptive example.
as an illustration	Similar to 'to illustrate' but functions as a noun phrase.
namely	Introduces something specific, often a list or a key example, implying precision.
such as	Introduces one or more examples, often within a list; less formal.
to give an example	A more direct and less elaborate way of introducing an example.

Common Mistakes

• A common error is omitting the comma after "by way of example" when it starts a sentence or misplacing commas when it's in the middle of a sentence.
• Learners often confuse it with similar phrases like 'for example' and may use it in inappropriate contexts, especially in very informal settings.
• Sometimes, people use it when a simpler phrase like "for example" or "such as" would be more appropriate, making the writing sound unnecessarily stilted.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
by way of example	Introduces an illustration or specific instance	Formal	Initial or Medial

FAQs

Where can "by way of example" be placed in a sentence?

By way of example can typically be placed at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma, or within the sentence, often set off by commas. The placement affects the flow and emphasis, but both positions are grammatically correct.

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What's the key difference between "by way of example" and "for example"?

While both introduce examples, "by way of example" is considered more formal and somewhat less common than "for example". "For example" is generally suitable for a wider range of contexts, while "by way of example" is often preferred in more formal writing.

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How can I avoid misusing "by way of example"?

To avoid misuse, consider the context and audience. If you're writing or speaking in a formal setting, "by way of example" can be appropriate. However, in casual conversation or less formal writing, simpler alternatives like "for example" or "such as" are often better choices. Be sure to use commas correctly to set off the phrase.