for instance
What is the opposite of for instance? Here is what we hold, with its meaning and related words.
Adverb — Used to introduce an example that illustrates the point just made.
How to use for instance
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
for instance, if
take, for instance
consider, for instance
Interchangeable with for example in almost every context, and slightly more conversational. Set off with commas, and note that e.g. is the written abbreviation of for example, not of for instance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between for instance and for example?
There is no difference in meaning, and either can introduce one or several examples. For example is marginally more common in formal writing and has the abbreviation e.g.; for instance sounds a little more spoken.
What is the difference between e.g. and i.e.?
E.g. is short for the Latin exempli gratia and introduces examples, so it matches for instance. I.e. is short for id est and introduces a restatement or clarification, meaning that is. "Citrus fruit, e.g. lemons" versus "citrus fruit, i.e. fruit from the genus Citrus".
