ENGLISH
REFERENCE

for instance

prep. phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

prep. phr.. you use this when you want to give an example of something you just mentioned.

prep. phr.. a transitional phrase used to introduce a specific case or example that illustrates a previous general statement; functions as a sentence adverbial.


SIMPLE

You can buy many fruits here, for instance, apples and oranges.

CONTEXTUAL

Many people are working from home now; for instance, my brother only goes to the office on Tuesdays.

COMPLEX

The company provides several benefits to its employees; for instance, they offer comprehensive health insurance and a generous retirement matching program.

Usage

often used at the start of a sentence or after a comma to introduce examples.

Teaching tip

teach this as a direct synonym for 'for example' to help students vary their linking words in writing and formal speaking.

Pitfall

For instance of this, we should go.For instance, we should go.the phrase is a fixed unit and does not take 'of' like the word 'example' does.

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