Another Way To Say An Example Of This? | Better Alternatives

You’ve written a sentence, you want to show proof, and your brain reaches for the same line: “An example of this is…”. It works, but it can feel repetitive fast. The fix isn’t fancy wording. It’s picking the phrase that matches what you’re doing: naming one item, giving a short list, pointing to evidence, or teeing up a mini story.

This page gives you ready-to-use options, plus rules that keep your sentences clean. You’ll see which phrases fit formal writing, which ones fit casual notes, and how to punctuate each style so it reads like you meant it.

What You Mean When You Write “An Example Of This Is”

That line can do a few jobs. Once you name the job, the right alternative shows itself.

• You’re introducing a single item. You want one clear sample to prove a point.
• You’re introducing a short list. You want two to four items that represent a bigger set.
• You’re pointing to evidence. You want to cite a study, a quote, a number, or a real event.
• You’re cueing the reader. You want a quick bridge so the next sentence doesn’t feel abrupt.

Each job has its own best phrasing. A list-introducer like “such as” can feel odd when you only have one item. A single-item line like “A case in point is” can feel stiff when you’re naming three items.

Another Way To Say “An Example Of This” In Real Writing

If you want a direct replacement that fits most school and work writing, start with these. They keep the same meaning while sounding less canned.

A Case In Point Is

Use this when you’re offering one solid proof point. It pairs well with facts, outcomes, or specific events.

• The policy reduces waste. A case in point is the 18% drop in printed pages after default duplex settings.
• Small delays add up. A case in point is the five-minute queue that turned into a 40-minute backlog.

One Illustration Is

Use this when the “example” is more descriptive than numeric. It works well for explaining concepts.

• Bias can hide in data. One illustration is a survey that only reaches people with stable internet.

Take

Use this when you want a brisk, conversational tone. It fits memos, blog posts, and class discussion posts.

• Many words shift meaning over time. Take “awful,” which once meant “awe-inspiring.”

Consider

Use this when you want a calm academic tone and you’re inviting the reader to look at a case.

• Numbers can mislead. Consider a chart that starts its y-axis at 90 instead of 0.

One Way This Shows Up Is

Use this when you’re explaining a pattern and want to name how it appears in daily practice.

• Vague goals stall projects. One way this shows up is when a team can’t define what “done” means.

This Can Be Seen In

Use this when you want to point to a place where the pattern is visible: a sentence, a dataset, a behavior, or a result.

• The trend is clear. This can be seen in the steady rise in late submissions during exam weeks.

A Clear Example Is

Use this when you want a plain, neutral line with no extra tone.

• Some verbs sound vague. A clear example is “do,” which can hide what action you mean.

Pick The Right Phrase For Your Setting

Not every alternative fits every context. A lab report, an application essay, and a text message have different expectations. The table below helps you match tone, structure, and punctuation without overthinking it.

Alternative Phrase	Best Fit	Notes
A case in point is …	Formal proof, one strong item	Works well before data, outcomes, or events.
One illustration is …	Concept explanations	Pairs well with short scenarios.
Take …	Conversational writing	Keep the next noun tight: one item, not a long clause.
Consider …	Academic tone	Feels polite; works with a noun phrase.
Such as …	Lists of examples	Use a comma before it when you list multiple items; Cambridge notes this punctuation pattern.
Including …	Lists in formal writing	Pairs well with two or more items.
Like …	Casual lists	Avoid in strict academic writing unless your style allows it.
This shows up when …	Patterns and habits	Good for cause-and-effect explanations.
This can be seen in …	Pointing to evidence	Works well before charts, quotes, or observations.
A clear example is …	Neutral, universal	Safe choice when you want the shortest path.
To illustrate, …	Sentence-level transitions	Use a comma after the phrase; keep the clause short.
Here’s a concrete case: …	Blog posts, teaching notes	Use a colon when the case follows right away.

How To Punctuate Example Phrases Without Tripping Readers

Most awkward “example” sentences fail on punctuation, not vocabulary. Fixing commas and colons often does more than hunting for a new synonym.

Use A Colon When The Example Completes The Sentence

A colon works when the words before it form a complete sentence and the material after it delivers the sample.

• The course requires one research tool: Zotero.
• Three habits cut study time: planning, batching, and short review loops.

Use A Comma With “Such As” In A Multi-Item List

When you name a general category, then give a list, a comma often belongs before “such as.” Cambridge’s grammar note explains this common pattern and when the comma can drop with one item. Cambridge’s “such as” grammar note

Use Parentheses For Side Details

Parentheses work when the example is helpful but not required for the main sentence.

• Some variables stay constant (age, grade level) while others change (sleep, screen time).

Use Dashes For A Quick, Spoken Aside

Dashes can mimic speech and add pace. Use them sparingly so they keep their punch.

• Most errors happened in one step—data entry—not in the calculations.

Swap Options That Avoid Repetition Across A Paragraph

Repetition often happens because writers stack three “example” lines in a row. A cleaner move is to vary the structure, not just the phrase. Here are patterns you can rotate in a paragraph.

Pattern 1: Claim, Then Evidence

Write the claim as a full sentence. Follow with evidence using a phrase that points, not one that announces.

• Claim: Students learn faster with spaced review.
• Evidence: The quiz average rose after weekly, low-stakes checks.

Pattern 2: General Idea, Then A Short List

When you have multiple items, lean on list language like “such as,” “including,” or “like,” based on tone.

• Many free tools help with citations, such as Zotero, Mendeley, and Paperpile.

Pattern 3: Mini Scenario

When the point is about behavior, a small scenario reads smoother than a labeled example.

• A student sets a goal, studies for ten minutes, then stops because the goal was vague.

Pattern 4: Name The Evidence Type

Instead of saying “example,” name what you’re using.

• A survey result shows the gap.
• A quote from the policy manual shows the rule.
• A chart shows the trend.

When “Such As” Beats “An Example Of This Is”

“Such as” is built for lists. Merriam-Webster defines it as a phrase used to introduce an example or series of examples. Merriam-Webster’s definition of “such as”

Use it when your sentence names a category, then you give a few members of that category. It reads natural and it saves words.

• We reviewed primary sources, such as letters, diaries, and court records.
• The app needs permissions, such as camera access and location.

A small warning: if you use “such as” for one item, it can sound like you’re implying more items but refusing to name them. If you only have one item, a single-item phrase can read cleaner.

Common Mistakes And Clean Fixes

These slips show up in student work and professional writing. The fix is usually one sentence-level adjustment.

Starting Every Example Sentence The Same Way

Fix: Rotate between a single-item phrase, a list phrase, and a structure change like a mini scenario.

Using “Like” In A Formal Paper When Your Instructor Dislikes It

Fix: Switch to “such as” or “including.” Your meaning stays the same and the tone shifts upward.

Adding A Comma Before “That”

Fix: If the clause is restrictive (it defines the noun), skip the comma.

Overloading The Reader With A Long Example Clause

Fix: Put the sample in a new sentence, or use a colon and keep the example list short.

One-Glance Decision Table For The Phrase You Need

Use this table when you’re mid-draft and you want a fast choice. Match your goal to a phrase and a punctuation move.

Your Goal	Best Phrase	Punctuation Move
One strong proof point	A case in point is …	No comma; keep it tight.
Two to four items in a list	Such as …	Comma before it for multi-item lists.
Teach a concept with a scenario	One illustration is …	Use a comma after an intro clause if it runs long.
Point to a chart or dataset	This can be seen in …	Follow with the source or figure name.
Keep the tone casual	Take …	No extra punctuation needed.
Drop in a side detail	( … )	Use parentheses, not commas.
Introduce a list after a full sentence	—	Use a colon, then list items.

Copy-Paste Line Bank

If you want lines you can drop into a draft, use these as templates and replace the bracketed text with your content.

• A case in point is [single event or result].
• One illustration is [short scenario].
• This can be seen in [chart, quote, dataset, or behavior].
• One way this shows up is [where the pattern appears].
• We saw this in [place or moment]: [example].
• Several factors matter, such as [item 1], [item 2], and [item 3].
• The clearest proof is [evidence type]: [detail].

After you swap the line, read the paragraph once out loud. If it sounds like a person talking, you’re done. If it sounds stiff, shorten the noun phrase after the opener.