35 Best Transition Words for Examples

When transitioning to examples, we can simply use the term “for example”, but over time, this word starts to feel tedious and repetitive in our writing.

As a result, we can replace “for example” transition words with words and phrases like “for instance”, “as an example”, and “a valuable case in point is”.

Below, I’ll present 35 transition words that you can use when transitioning to examples in your essays, then demonstrate sample sentences that you can use as templates for your own writing.

Transition words for Example

1. For example

This is probably the most common phrase used to introduce an example. It works well in nearly any essay context.

Sample Sentences:

Positive reinforcement can involve rewards that will encourage people to repeat the desired behaviors. For example, if a parent gives a child a toy for being good while shopping, they are more likely to receive the toy the next time.”

“Academic research often collects both quantitative and qualitative data. For example, a study might involve a wide-spread questionnaire survey as well as interviews of a small group of participants to get deeper insights.”

2. For instance

This is similar to “for example” and can be used interchangeably. It’s a versatile phrase.

Sample Sentences:

“Negative reinforcement can discourage people from repeating the behavior that preceded the undesirable behavior. For instance, if a child is sent to the corner for five minutes after hitting their sibling, they’re less likely to hit their sibling again in the future.”

“College essays are very different from high school essays and, generally, much harder. Take, for instance, the compare and contrast essay. In high school, you might be expected to cite online encyclopedias for this essay, whereas in college you will be expected to cite many recent academic studies.”

3. As an illustration

This transition phrase signals that you’re about to paint a picture with words. It’s good for when you want to create a vivid image.

Sample Sentences:

“Environmental damage in the waterways of Bali could be reversed within five years. As an illustration, in a world where everyone on the island recycled, it would take just six months to clean 80% of trash from the waterways.”

“Peaceful transfer of power is essential for the survivability of democracy. As an illustration, the United States has successfully transitioned power between presidents relatively peacefully 46 times, which has helped to ensure democracy has continued in the country.”

4. In particular

This indicates that you’re about to go into detail on a specific example. Use it when you’re diving into a more specific point.

Sample Sentences:

“There are many things a student needs to do to get an A in an essay. In particular, making sure you directly answer the research question in the introduction is extremely important.”

“There were many great examples of bravery during World War II that collectively secured victory for the free world. In particularly, the bravery of the men on D-Day may never be matched again.”

5. To illustrate

This phrase is straightforward and neutral. It’s good for when you want to keep the tone academic.

Sample Sentence:

“Climate change causes global temperatures to rise. To illustrate this point, consider the recent 20 years’ ocean temperatures. Over this period of time, temperatures rose on average 1.2 degrees celsius.”

6. Specifically

This suggests that you’re about to go in-depth on a subject. Use this when your example is a specific instance or detail.

Sample Sentences:

“Climate change affects many aspects of life. Specifically, it disrupts agricultural patterns.”

“Artificial intelligence will take many white-collar jobs. Specifically, it will likely take the jobs of freelance writers.”

7. As proof

This transition phrase indicates that your example is going to directly support your argument. Use it when you have strong evidence.

Sample Sentences:

“Climate change is going to do significant harm to ecosystems. As proof, recent studies have shown a direct correlation between global warming and increased natural disasters.”

“Getting formative feedback about your essay from your teacher is essential for gaining top grades. As proof, receiving formative feedback is demonstrated to help boost grades by 13%.”

8. To demonstrate

This signals that your example is going to show something definitively. It’s good when you have a strong, clear example.

Sample Sentences:

“Deregulation of the economy has helped to dramatically increase GDP in the country. To demonstrate, let’s examine the economy’s growth over the past decade.”

“There is ample evidence that the earth is round. To demonstrate, a photo from the international space station actually shows the whole world in one image, showing it as a sphere.”

9. Consider the case of

This suggests that the reader should think about the example in a particular way. Use it to guide your reader’s thoughts.

Sample Sentences:

“Deforestation is causing harm to the world’s great megafauna. Consider the case of the endangered white rhino.”

“Gaining a PhD takes at least 3 years. Consider the case of Dr Chris Drew, whose PhD took 3 years and 3 months to complete – which was considered fast, even for a full-time program of study.”

10. Let’s say

This phrase is slightly more casual, and should only be used in an essay that is not formal – for example, it could be allowed in an exploratory or creative essay. It’s often used to set up hypothetical situations.

Sample Sentence:

“Reflecting on my teaching internship, I feel preparation was central to my success. Let’s say I didn’t prepare the night before my first lesson; I would have been panicked when I arrived.”

11. One example is

This phrase clearly states that an example follows. It’s good when you have several examples to list.

Sample Sentence:

“Human actions are changing the environment. One example is the decline of the bee population due to pesticide use. Another is the rising water temperatures”

12. In this case

This is used to refer back to a previously mentioned situation or example.

“The example of Sam’s A+ essay is an illustrative point. In this case, it is obvious that his grades improved because he started proofreading his work before submitting.”

13. Namely

This indicates that you’re about to specify something. I regularly use this one in my own writing because it is a good substitute for saying “for example” too much. 

Sample Sentences:

“There are many greenhouse gases, namely, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.”

“There are several tactics for increasing grades at university. Namely, students should set a regular study schedule, stay in regular contact with their teacher, and use the feedback on their past work to improve for next time.”

14. Take, for instance,

This is a slightly more conversational way to introduce an example. It’s often used in a more narrative style.

Sample Sentence:

“Many animals have been impacted by global warming. Take, for instance, the polar bear, whose migratory patterns have changed as a result of melting icecaps.”

“Some of the smartest people in the world didn’t graduate college. Take, for instance, Mark Zuckerberg who dropped out of Harvard to grow Facebook.”

15. Suppose that

This phrase is used to set up a hypothetical situation as an example.

Sample Sentence:

“Suppose that all the bees died out. This would drastically affect our food production.”

16. Just consider

This phrase emphasizes that the reader should think about the example carefully. It’s often used with surprising or thought-provoking examples.

Sample Sentence:

“Cities need to ensure there are parks within walking distance of all residential buildings. Just consider, a world without any green spaces left.”

17. In a similar case,

This phrase links the upcoming example to a previously mentioned one. It’s used when comparing similar instances.

Sample Sentence:

“Deforestation caused dramatic damage to Indonesia’s wildlife. In a similar case, deforestation in the Amazon has had a profound effect on local species.”

18. To put it another way

This phrase indicates that the upcoming example will provide a different perspective or reiteration of the same point. It’s often used when restating an argument.

Sample Sentence:

“Climate change is not going to resolve unless dramatic action is taken. To put it another way, consider if no efforts were made to reduce carbon emissions.”

19. This can be seen when

This phrase suggests that the example is illustrating an observable phenomenon. Use it when your example is a concrete instance.

Sample Sentences:

“Climate change is starting to have real effects on the environment. This can be seen when looking at the rising global temperatures over the past decade.”

“Essay grades are dramatically impacted by use of academic references throughout. This can be seen when comparing the top versus bottom half of essays in the study cohort. The top half had twice as many references as the bottom half.”

20. Look at

This phrase invites the reader to pay attention to a particular example. It’s often used when the example is especially illustrative or surprising.

Sample Sentence:

“Failure to correctly dispose of trash is terrible for the environment. Look at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an enormous floating mass of plastic waste.”

21. If you observe

This trarnsition phrase suggests that careful consideration of the example will reveal something. Use it when you want to guide your reader’s attention to specific details, but only if you’re allowed to use first-person language in your essay.

Sample Sentence:

“If you observe the latest trends in renewable energy, you’ll notice a shift towards solar power.

22. As shown by

This phrase indicates that the example provides evidence for a claim. Use it when you have an example that proves a point.

Sample Sentence:

“Climate change is starting to affect the climate. As shown by the latest data, the sea levels are rising.”

23. An example being

This phrase is a direct and clear way to introduce an example. It’s good for when you have a concise and direct example.

Sample Sentence:

“Climate change is affecting many species, an example being the polar bear.”

24. This exemplifies

This phrase suggests that the example perfectly embodies the concept or claim being discussed. Use it when your example is a typical representation of a broader category.

Sample Sentence:

“The shrinking of the polar ice caps perfectly exemplifies the effects of global warming.”

25. As evidence,

This phrase suggests that the example serves as proof of a claim. Use it when you have strong, factual evidence.

Sample Sentence:

“Sadly, climate change had also had dramatically negative effects on the environment. As evidence, recent studies have shown a sharp decline in biodiversity due to climate change.”

26. Such as

This phrase that transitions to examples is used to provide one or several examples that illustrate a point. It’s often used before listing examples.

Sample Sentence:

“The best transition words are short and sweet, such as ‘for example’, ‘in addition’, and ‘therefore’.”

“There are many forms of renewable energy, such as wind, solar, and hydropower.”

27. A case in point

This phrase is used when the example being provided serves as a typical or illustrative example.

Sample Sentence:

“Climate change is leading to species extinction. A case in point is the white rhino.”

“Successful students study at least 3 hours a day. A case in point is John, who studied 4 hours a day 5 days a week and passed with flying colors.”

28. To give an idea

This phrase suggests that the following example will help the reader better understand or imagine the concept being discussed.

Sample Sentence:

“Pollution in the oceans is an extremely big problem. To give an idea of the scale, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is twice the size of Texas.”

29. This can be illustrated by

This phrase indicates that the example provides an illustration of a claim or concept. Use it when your example paints a clear picture.

Sample Sentences:

“The impact of climate change on weather patterns can be illustrated by the increased frequency of hurricanes.”

“Depression can sometimes be a seasonal disorder. This can be illustrated by statistics that show online therapy services have more demand in winter than summer.”

30. This is exemplified by

This phrase indicates that the example is a typical or characteristic instance of a broader category or concept.

Sample Sentence:

“The effect of global warming on polar regions is exemplified by the rapid melting of the Greenland ice sheet.”

31. An illustrative point is

This phrase indicates that the example provides a visual or illustrative example of a claim or concept. It’s often used when the example is particularly vivid or clear.

Sample Sentence:

“The impact of pollution on ocean life is illustrated by the death of coral reefs around the globe.”

32. As an exemplar,

This phrase suggests that the example is a prime or typical example of a concept or claim. Use it when your example is an ideal or typical instance.

Sample Sentence:

“Renewable energy can help slow down the effects of climate change. As an exemplar of renewable energy, consider the widespread use of wind power in Denmark.”

33. Consider the instance of

This phrase is a formal way to introduce an example. It’s good when you’re about to discuss a particular case or example in depth.

Sample Sentence:

“Humans are having negative effects on the environment. Consider the instance of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.”

34. An instance illustrating this is

This phrase indicates that the example provides a specific illustration of a claim or concept. Use it when your example specifically demonstrates a point.

Sample Sentence:

“Climate change is occurring worldwide, causing biodiversity loss. An instance illustrating this loss of biodiversity is the decline of bee populations worldwide.”

35. In the instance of

This phrase is used to refer to a specific example or case. Use it when you want to delve into a specific instance or case study.

Sample Sentence:

“Deforestation is not slowing down despite evidence of its negative impacts on the environment. In the instance of the Amazon rainforest, deforestation rates have dramatically increased.”

Other Types Of Transition Words

• Compare and Contrast: In comparison, In contrast, However, Despite this, Other researchers argue, Unlike the above point, Conflicting research finds
• Cause and Effect: Therefore, Thus, As a result, This has led to, As a result, Because, Consequently, For that reason, Hence, For that reason
• List Order: First, Second, Third, Forth, In the first instance, In the second instance, Firstly, Secondly, Next, Lastly, Finally
• Time Order: Afterwards, Concurrently, Later, Meanwhile, Following, In the meantime, Simultaneously, Concomitantly, Subsequently
• Summary and conclusion: Overall, In summary, On balance, In conclusion, All Things Considered, The Best Evidence Suggests.
• Evidence Transition Words: As can be seen in, To demonstrate, Evidence of this fact can be seen in, Proof of this point is found in, For instance, For one thing, Compelling evidence shows
• Emphasis: In fact, Indeed, Furthermore, Particularly, Surely, Undeniably, Indesputably, Confirms, Certifies, Proves
• Similarity: Similarly, In a similar way, Concurring research finds, likewise, equivalently, also, significantly

Conclusion

Transition words of examples don’t need to just use the phrase “for example”. There is a wide range of synonyms and interesting phrases that can demonstrate mastery of the English language. Be sure to choose transition words that suit the genre and formality of your essay, and check your drafts with your teacher who will be able to give you feedback on whether your transition words have been well-selected and flow nicely in the piece.