For instance is used when you want to draw attention to an example. We use it after a sentence where you explain something, and then you give the example in the next one. For instance is a conjunction, or sentence connector, so there are synonyms you can use instead.
For Instance Synonyms
What is another way to say for instance?
Here are the most common ones, and an example for each:
- to illustrate – This new internet connection will be able to double your computing speed. To illustrate, you can run your data transfer at 1GB per second instead of the usual 50.
- for example – By using interactive presentations you will be able to engage your students even more. For example, this presentation is about animals, so you can make animals move and react to what the students question.
- case in point – Physics is both an exact science and someones also speculative. Case in point, the theory of relativity.
Here we can see that these synonyms are always used to draw attention to a point, conclusion, or example. We don’t use any of the synonyms, or for instance before we have made a statement that requires an example later.
Can you start a sentence with for instance?
Yes, because for instance is a conjunction. It is always at the beginning of a sentence. That way you make sure that anyone who is listening or reading will immediately know you are giving an example for something.
How do you write An Instance in a Sentence?
An instance is different from for instance. It’s a noun phrase and not a conjunction, so we don’t use it at the start of a sentence. An instance simply means a moment.
We use an instance to describe a specific moment in order to draw attention to it.
Like this:
- Be careful when you’re driving. I once saw an instance where a truck came out of nowhere, and the driver of the car wasn’t prepared.
So, instead of using a moment, you can use an instance. It’s more formal, and it draws attention to the specific moment. In a way an instance seems more important than just an average moment.
What does the phrase for instance mean?
For instance is a conjunction. As such it serves to connect the previous sentence with the one where we use the conjunction. It is used to exemplify something, or make a point.
Conjunctions don’t really have a literal meaning. You can’t just substitute the words for something else and explain what it really means. The closest thing would be “as an example.”
Simply put, for instance is defined by the way we use it, and not only by what it literally means.
Is there a comma after for instance?
Yes, we divide for instance from the rest of the sentence with a comma.
What is the instance in DBMS?
DBMS is an acronym for Database Management System. DBMS is a software package that defines, manipulates, retrieves and manages the data within a database. This data is stored depending on the changes, and it may happen often.
An instance in DBMS is the data stored at a particular moment in time. Since it may be stored again later, moved or changed. It is possible to track specific data by looking at the instance when it was stored.
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How do you use the word instance?
instance
- phrase. You use for instance to introduce a particular event, situation, or person that is an example of what you are talking about.
- countable noun. An instance is a particular example or occurrence of something.
- See in the first instance.
How do you use for instance with examples?
BizWritingTip response: According to the Oxford Dictionary, for instance is defined “as an example.” For example means “by way of illustration.” In theory, for instance is used for a specific illustration. For example is used to describe a real or theoretical case when there are also other possible types.
How do you start a sentence with an instance?
If these words are necessary, do not use commas. Usually only for example and for instance can begin new sentences. Each can begin a new sentence when the phrase is followed by a complete idea or sentence (not a list of items). My father loves going to restaurants which serve exotic foods.
Can you start a sentence off with for instance?
The phrase ‘for instance’ can be used to begin a sentence, as long as what follows is an independent clause (a complete sentence).
What is class instance example?
Instance − An individual object of a certain class. An object obj that belongs to a class Circle, for example, is an instance of the class Circle. Instantiation − The creation of an instance of a class. Method − A special kind of function that is defined in a class definition.
What is an instance of class?
Each realized variation of that object is an instance of its class. That is, it is a member of a given class that has specified values rather than variables. An object is an instance of a class, and may be called a class instance or class object; instantiation is then also known as construction.
What is the difference between class and instance?
A class is a blueprint which you use to create objects. An object is an instance of a class – it’s a concrete ‘thing’ that you made using a specific class. So, ‘object’ and ‘instance’ are the same thing, but the word ‘instance’ indicates the relationship of an object to its class.
What is difference between instance and object?
In simple words, Instance refers to the copy of the object at a particular time whereas object refers to the memory address of the class.
Is object and instance are same in Python?
In Python, a class definition (i.e., the body of a class) is called an object. And, the object in C++ is called instance in python. A Class is also an object (i.e object of object class). Instance is the name used to call the object of any class.
What is instance method?
An instance method is a method that belongs to instances of a class, not to the class itself. To define an instance method, just omit static from the method heading. Within the method definition, you refer to variables and methods in the class by their names, without a dot.
Why object is known as instance of a class?
A class can create objects of itself with different characteristics and common behaviour. So, we can say that an Object represents a specific state of the class. For these reasons, an Object is called an Instance of a Class.
What is difference between constructor and function?
constructor does’n have a return type, the name of constructor should be the same as the class name and functions can have return type and the name is user defined. constructor initiate the object and function is a method work for initiated object. functions have return type but constructors dont have return type.
What is an instance of a database?
A database instance is a set of memory structures that manage database files. A database is a set of physical files on disk created by the CREATE DATABASE statement. The instance manages its associated data and serves the users of the database.
What is meant by instance variable?
An instance variable is a variable which is declared in a class but outside of constructors, methods, or blocks. Instance variables are created when an object is instantiated, and are accessible to all the constructors, methods, or blocks in the class.
What is instance variable give an example?
Instance Variable With Example In JAVA An instance variable is a variable defined in a class (i.e. a member variable) in which each instantiated object of the class has a separate copy, or instance. An instance variable is similar to a class variable. Instance variables belong to an instance of a class.
How are instance variables declared?
Instance variables can be declared in class level before or after use. Access modifiers can be given for instance variables. The instance variables are visible for all methods, constructors and block in the class. Normally, it is recommended to make these variables private (access level).
What are the types of instance variables?
Variables that are defined without the STATIC keyword and are Outside any method declaration are Object-specific and are known as instance variables….Cheatsheet.
| Instance Variable Type | Default Value |
|---|---|
| boolean | false |
| byte | (byte)0 |
| short | (short) 0 |
| int | 0 |
What is instance member?
The members of a class that can not be accessed without creating an instance for the class are called as instance members and the members of a class that can be accessed without creating an instance and directly by using class name are called as static members.
What is the difference between a local variable and an instance variable?
Instance variables are variables within a class but outside any method. These variables are instantiated when the class is loaded. Local variables are declared within a method. Instance variables are declared inside a class but not within a method.
What is an local variable?
In computer science, a local variable is a variable that is given local scope. Local variable references in the function or block in which it is declared override the same variable name in the larger scope.
What is an example of a local variable?
For example: for(int i=0;i<=5;i++){……} In above example int i=0 is a local variable declaration. Its scope is only limited to the for loop.
What is the scope of a local variable?
In Java, the scope of a local variable is the body of the method in which it is declared. In other words, the variable is visible in the body of the method where its declaration appears, but it is not visible on the outside the method.
What is a local variable in a subroutine?
A local variable is a variable that is only accessible within a specific part of a program. Usually a local variable is declared inside a subroutine or is an argument that has been passed by value. Local variables in different subroutines are allowed to have the same identifier (name).
When would you use a local variable?
A local variable is a variable which is either a variable declared within the function or is an argument passed to a function. As you may have encountered in your programming, if we declare variables in a function then we can only use them within that function.
What is the difference between a local variable and a data member?
A data member belongs to an object of a class whereas local variable belongs to its current scope. A local variable is declared within the body of a function and can be used only from the point at which it is declared to the immediately following closing brace.
What are the advantages of a local variable?
Advantages of using Local Variables You can give local variables the same name in different functions because they are only recognized by the function they are declared in. Local variables are deleted as soon as any function is over and release the memory space which it occupies.
As per comments, there’s no real difference between the two idioms.
In other contexts (such as programming) an instance of something means an incarnation, actualisation, realisation (a real thing, as opposed to a definition of that thing). And an example can often mean an instructional case (perhaps specifically created for educational purposes).
But both for instance and for example are used in exactly the same way to introduce a specific illustrative case (or cases) — often with the implication it’s just a random selection from many possible alternatives.
OP has already established that for example is more common (as my link shows, it’s been increasingly displacing for instance over many decades). Initially, I was prepared to believe this might justify saying that for instance is «more formal».
But in fact I don’t sense that myself, and I find no evidence for the idea. Consider these usage figures…
1a: for example I have (1,100,000 written instances in Google Books)
1b: for example I’ve 104,000
2a for instance I have 704,000
2b: for instance I’ve 76,500
In both cases the «informal» contracted versions account for about 1 in 10 usages, which strongly suggests no significant difference in terms of formal/informal register.
So my advice to OP is to accept for instance as an exact synonym whenever he comes across it, but to stick with majority/modern usage and always use for example in his own speech and writing.
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[ fer-in-stuhns ]
/ fərˈɪn stəns /
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
noun
an instance or example: Give me a for-instance of what you mean.
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Words nearby for-instance
for good measure, forgot, forgotten, forgotten man, for heaven’s sake, for-instance, forint, forjudge, fork, forkball, forked
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to for-instance
How to use for-instance in a sentence
-
F-for instance, that night in the Cath-thedral—how solemn you were!
As a writer, I’m hypersensitive to reusing words. If I write «That sounds great» in the first sentence of an email, I won’t sign off with «Have a great weekend.»
Yet even if you’re not as nitpicky as me (I hope you’re not as nitpicky as me), mixing up the phrases you use is a good idea. This habit makes you a better speaker and writer and helps you avoid sounding repetitive. Whether you’re in a meeting, drafting an email, talking on a sales call, giving a presentation, or writing a memo, using strong, persuasive, varied language gets your point across more effectively.
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I’ve already written about alternatives for a number of common phrases, but what about «for example»? This one may come up most of all.
Without further ado, here are 13 different ways to say «for example.»
For Example’ Synonym Phrases
- «For instance …»
- «To give you an idea …»
- «As proof …»
- «Suppose that …»
- «To illustrate …»
- «Imagine …»
- «Pretend that …»
- «To show you what I mean …»
- «Let’s say …»
- «Case in point …»
- «e.g.»
- «Such as …»
- «In particular …»
1. «For instance …»
«For example» and «for instance» can be used interchangeably.
- «Our product has several features your reps will love; for instance, they can schedule a series of emails …»
2. «To give you an idea …»
Use this phrase to introduce a use case or example.
- «The right training program will ‘stick’ for months and months. To give you an idea, Abel Co.’s sales team’s average productivity rate per rep increased by 30% in the first quarter after our workshop — and it’s stayed within two percentage points ever since.»
3. «As proof …»
After you make a point, say «as proof» followed by an anecdote or statistic.
- «Unhealthy snacks might be hurting employee satisfaction more than you’d think. As proof, HereNow’s eNPS score went up 10 points once we revamped their office ‘pantry.'»
4. «Suppose that …»
This phrase makes your listener the star of the story, which helps grab and keep their attention.
- «Surprisingly, most salespeople spend the majority of their day on non-selling tasks. Suppose that all the time you currently spend in your CRM could be put toward emailing, calling, and meeting with prospects.»
5. «To illustrate …»
When you want to prove your point, try this expression.
- «Everyone needs a good cybersecurity strategy — even if you’re not in a ‘risky’ industry. To illustrate, we just protect a client in the consumer pet space, of all things, from an extremely sophisticated attack that would’ve taken every single one of their 100 stores offline for hours, maybe even days.»
6. «Imagine …»
Asking the other person to imagine themselves in a relevant situation makes them likelier to believe you.
- «Imagine every single franchise you own doubled their sales. What impact would that have on your life?»
7. «Pretend that …»
Along similar lines, «Pretend XYZ happened» is another effective alternative to «for example.»
- «Onboarding has a huge impact on your retention rate. Pretend new employees could spend their first 10 days learning about your product, team, culture, and customers. What impact would that have on their performance?»
8. «To show you what I mean …»
If you’re using content — like a customer testimonial, video, blog post, case study, press release, etc. — to prove your point, this phrase comes in handy.
- «Millennials work harder when they feel they are contributing to a larger purpose. To show you what I mean, here’s an article about what happened when we rolled out a ‘Danco Cares’ internal marketing campaign.»
9. «Let’s say …»
«Let’s say» is a folksy alternative to «imagine» or «suppose.»
- «Let’s say you could attract five times more people to your website.»
10. «Case in point …»
For the times you’ve made a bold claim and need to back it up with the perfect example, go for «case in point …»
- «It might sound too good to be true, but simply adding more recycle bins can make your restaurant produce far less trash. Case in point: We put three bins inside Pita Palace’s Westwood location and removed one trash bin, and waste decreased by 13.9%.»
11. «e.g.»
This Latin abbreviation (which is always lowercase) means «for example.»
- «You have a lot of opportunity to grow, e.g., it doesn’t sound like you’ve optimized your pricing page in years.»
12. «Such as …»
If you need to illustrate a certain point, use «such as » to explain further.
- «Clients who used the Standard CRM saw positive changes for their sales teams, such as productivity increases of 15% and a 40% increase in sales revenue.»
13. «In particular …»
Is there a certain section of your message you’d like to emphasize? If so, try using «in particular» to highlight the areas of emphasis.
- «With a custom email sending IP address, your email strategy will reap many benefits. In particular, you’ll see an improvement in email deliverability.«
With 13 alternatives to choose from, you’ll never have to use «for example» again and again … well, again. To learn more, check out this follow-up thank you email next.
-
#1
Hello, could you tell me what is it better? For example or for an instance?
And if there are mistakes, could you show me them?
«I keep my word and I never lie if I don’t know how to do something. For an instance, I offered to scan some documents but I realized that I didn’t know how to use the photocopier to scan. I was a bit embarrassed but asked for help to a co-worker, and learned.»
-
#2
Hello. The expression is ‘for instance‘.
The only other thing I would suggest is: I was a bit embarrassed but asked a co-worker for help and I learned how to do it/how to scan something, etc.
-
#3
Thank you! Your suggestion is very useful.
Nine “For Example” Alternatives
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“For example” is a phrase you might often use in your writing. Below, we’ll share nine formal and informal alternatives that you can use instead.
- For example is a phrase used “to introduce something chosen as a typical case” or “introduce something that proves something is true.”
- For example can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
- Two alternatives of for example are: for instance and e.g.
- ○ My dog, Oso, is learning many new tricks. For example, he can sit, stay, and lie down.
“For Example” Definition and Placement
For example is a phrase often found in essays, articles, and many other types of texts. It’s used to introduce or emphasize something that supports what you’re writing about. This phrase can be found in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
Many movies were adapted from books. For example, The Wizard of Oz was a popular novel before it hit the big screen.
Many movies were adapted from books. The Wizard of Oz, for example, was a popular novel before it hit the big screen.
Many movies were adapted from books—The Wizard of Oz was a popular novel before it hit the big screen, for example.
When at the beginning of a sentence, for example should be followed by a comma. In the middle of a sentence, a comma should be placed before and after. And when for example is at the end of a sentence, a comma is only needed before.
When you’re writing, you may find yourself using this phrase often. If you’re looking for alternatives, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’re going to give you nine alternatives and let you know if they’re better suited for formal or casual writing.
Nine Alternatives for “For Example”
Not every alternative can be used exactly like for example. Because of that, it’s important to keep in mind that using some of the alternatives listed below might require restructuring the sentence a bit. We’ll show you how to do this with the examples.
1. For instance
For instance is a near-identical synonym to for example. This phrase is used to introduce an example that helps illustrate your point. It’s used the same way as for example.
There are many things I like about hiking. For example, the exercise plus the views I encounter keep me coming back!
↓
There are many things I like about hiking. For instance, the exercise plus the views I encounter keep me coming back!
Best for: More often seen in formal writing, but can also be used in informal writing.
2. Namely
Namely helps present a specific example.
Your work has been extremely beneficial to this company. For example, your sales have brought in record profits.
↓
Your work has been extremely beneficial to this company, namely your sales that have brought in record profits.
Best for: Formal writing
3. To give you an idea
To give you an idea helps your readers visualize and conceptualize the point you are trying to make.
The brain is extremely powerful. For example, some studies have shown that visualization can indeed help you reach your goals.
↓
The brain is extremely powerful. To give you an idea, some studies have shown that visualization can indeed help you reach your goals..
Best for: Mostly used in informal writing, but can sometimes be used in formal writing.
4. By way of illustration
This phrase is typically found in professional and academic settings. If you like this option, but want something more concise, you can try to illustrate instead.
Many inventions changed the course of human history. For example, the printing press allowed for the rapid and widespread circulation of knowledge and news.
↓
Many inventions changed the course of human history. By way of illustration, the printing press allowed for the rapid and widespread circulation of knowledge and news.
Best for: Formal writing
5. In particular
In particular helps point out a specific example. This phrase can be at the beginning of a sentence (with a comma after) or at the end of a sentence (with no comma preceding it).
There are many things I enjoyed when I traveled to Italy. For example, I loved trying various kinds of pasta.
↓
There are many things I enjoyed when I traveled to Italy. In particular, I loved trying the various kinds of pasta.
or
There are many things I enjoyed when I traveled to Italy. I loved trying the various kinds of pasta in particular.
Best for: Formal and informal writing
6. Examples include
This phrase is similar to for example except that it makes it clear you are introducing multiple examples. Examples include is always found at the beginning of a sentence.
Some animals mate for life—beavers, gray wolves, and bald eagles, for example.
↓
Some animals mate for life. Examples include beavers, gray wolves, and bald eagles.
Best for: Formal and informal writing
7. E.g.
This abbreviation comes from Latin and means “exempli gratia,” which means “for the sake of the example.” The abbreviation e.g. is always separated by commas or parentheses and is always lowercase. If you’re putting it within parentheses, the abbreviation must still be followed by a comma.
Some dogs are considered hypoallergenic. Take Poodles, for example.
↓
Some dogs are considered hypoallergenic, e.g., Poodles.
or
Some dogs are considered hypoallergenic (e.g., Poodles).
Best for: Formal writing
8. Such as
Such as is another alternative that helps illustrate or emphasize a certain point.
Disney has many classic movies—Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King, for example.
↓
Disney has many classic movies such as Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King.
Best for: Informal writing
9. Case in point
This alternative is perfect for professional and academic settings. There are two ways it could be used:
Countless people go undiagnosed for years. For example, William was diagnosed 15 years after his symptoms first appeared.
↓
Countless people go undiagnosed for years. Case in point: William was diagnosed 15 years after his symptoms first appeared.
or
Countless people go undiagnosed for years. A case in point is William, who was diagnosed 15 years after his symptoms first appeared.
Best for: Formal writing
Don’t Forget About Proper Spelling and Grammar
For example and other alternatives like it help enhance the flow of your text. They serve as a marker that informs your readers that what you write next helps prove or support your message.
Another important factor to consider when writing is spelling and grammar. Typos and mistakes can discredit you as a writer. To avoid this, try using LanguageTool as your writing assistant. This multilingual text editor checks your text as you write and works with several programs. Try it for free today.
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