Welcome! In this B1 lesson you'll learn useful ways to give examples in conversation. You'll hear the phrases, see them in a short dialogue, then practice and speak them out loud.
Level B1: This lesson focuses on 13 natural English chunks for giving examples (for example, for instance, such as, imagine this, and more). It's CEFR-aligned and practical: you will hear the phrases, try short quizzes, and practice saying each phrase aloud. By the end you'll feel more confident explaining ideas with clear examples.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Recognize and use common phrases for giving examples in conversation.
Practice 13 example-frames used naturally in explanations and hypotheticals.
Level B1: build clearer explanations when speaking or giving presentations.
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
For example, ___.
Introduce a clear example to support what you are saying.
Meaning: Introduce a clear example to support what you are saying.
When to use: Use this to give a direct example after a general statement.
For example, you can take the bus instead of a taxi to save money.
For example, you can take the bus instead of a taxi to save money.
For example, many fruits contain vitamin C.
For example, many fruits contain vitamin C.
For instance, ___.
Introduce an example in a slightly more formal or careful way.
Meaning: Introduce an example in a slightly more formal or careful way.
When to use: Use this as an alternative to 'for example' when you want to sound a bit more precise.
Tip: Don't forget the comma after the phrase when it starts a sentence.
For instance, children learn languages faster at a young age.
For instance, children learn languages faster at a young age.
For instance, our report shows sales rose in December.
For instance, our report shows sales rose in December.
Things like ___.
Add one or more examples after a general category.
Meaning: Add one or more examples after a general category.
When to use: Use this short, informal phrase when listing everyday examples.
Tip: Learners sometimes use a full sentence after this chunk; it's often followed by a short list, not a long clause.
I like outdoor activities — things like hiking and biking.
I like outdoor activities — things like hiking and biking.
We need basic tools, things like a hammer and screwdriver.
We need basic tools, things like a hammer and screwdriver.
Such as ___.
Introduce examples as members of a group or category.
Meaning: Introduce examples as members of a group or category.
When to use: Use 'such as' after a category word to give members of that category.
Tropical fruits, such as mangoes and papayas, are popular here.
Tropical fruits, such as mangoes and papayas, are popular here.
Healthy snacks such as nuts and yogurt are good choices.
Healthy snacks such as nuts and yogurt are good choices.
Let me give you an example.
Signal that you are about to explain with an example.
Meaning: Signal that you are about to explain with an example.
When to use: Use this phrase to prepare the listener for a clear example.
Let me give you an.
Let me give you an.
last year we saved 20% on energy.
last year we saved 20% on energy.
To give you an example, ___.
Start an example before giving details.
Meaning: Start an example before giving details.
When to use: Use this to smoothly move from an idea to a specific case.
To give you an example, our team tested three designs.
To give you an example, our team tested three designs.
To give you an example, she reduced her expenses by canceling subscriptions.
To give you an example, she reduced her expenses by canceling subscriptions.
One example is ___.
Present one specific example from several possible examples.
Meaning: Present one specific example from several possible examples.
When to use: Use this when you want to pick a single clear example.
One example is the local library's free classes.
One example is the local library's free classes.
One example is using recycled materials for packaging.
One example is using recycled materials for packaging.
Take ___, for example.
Point to a specific case as an example of a larger idea.
Meaning: Point to a specific case as an example of a larger idea.
When to use: Use this spoken pattern when you want to highlight a particular case.
Take online shopping, for example — it's changed how we buy groceries.
Take online shopping, for example — it's changed how we buy groceries.
Take the city bus, for example; it runs every 15 minutes.
Take the city bus, for example; it runs every 15 minutes.
A good example is ___.
Introduce a strong or useful example in an explanation.
Meaning: Introduce a strong or useful example in an explanation.
When to use: Use this to emphasize a particularly clear or convincing example.
A good example is solar panels reducing electricity bills.
A good example is solar panels reducing electricity bills.
A good example is our new app — it saved users time.
A good example is our new app — it saved users time.
To show what I mean, ___.
Introduce an example to make an idea clearer.
Meaning: Introduce an example to make an idea clearer.
When to use: Use this to signal you'll clarify with an example right away.
To show what I mean, look at last month's chart.
To show what I mean, look at last month's chart.
To show what I mean, imagine a small team working remotely.
To show what I mean, imagine a small team working remotely.
Here's what I mean: ___.
Clarify a previous point by adding a concrete example.
Meaning: Clarify a previous point by adding a concrete example.
When to use: Use this to restate an abstract idea and make it concrete.
Here's what I mean: the app reminds you to drink water.
Here's what I mean: the app reminds you to drink water.
Here's what I mean: a quick call can solve the confusion.
Here's what I mean: a quick call can solve the confusion.
Imagine this: ___.
Ask the listener to consider a simple imagined example.
Meaning: Ask the listener to consider a simple imagined example.
When to use: Use this to invite someone to picture a hypothetical situation.
Imagine this: you finish your work early and have the evening free.
Imagine this: you finish your work early and have the evening free.
Imagine this: the city adds more bike lanes and traffic improves.
Imagine this: the city adds more bike lanes and traffic improves.
Say you ___.
Introduce a hypothetical example using a simple situation.
Meaning: Introduce a hypothetical example using a simple situation.
When to use: Use this informal frame to start a quick hypothetical.
Say you miss the bus — what would you do?
Say you miss the bus — what would you do?
Say you get two job offers, how would you choose?
Say you get two job offers, how would you choose?
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna helps David explain an idea by giving examples.
Why does Anna give examples?
Anna
Let me give you an example.
Let me give you an example.
David
Okay, go ahead.
Okay, go ahead.
Anna
For instance, take the local bike-share program: people use it for short trips.
For instance, take the local bike-share program: people use it for short trips.
David
Right — to show what I mean, many riders avoid car traffic.
Right — to show what I mean, many riders avoid car traffic.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which phrase would you use to ask the listener to picture a hypothetical situation?
Which phrase is best to start when you want to warn the listener you're about to give a specific case?
Which short phrase is most natural when you list a couple of casual examples?
Which phrase emphasizes a particularly strong or useful example?
For instance, many small shops closed during the pandemic.
___, many small shops closed during the pandemic.
I enjoy outdoor sports, such as hiking and kayaking.
I enjoy outdoor sports, ___ hiking and kayaking.
If you want to save money, for example cancel subscriptions you don't use.
If you want to save money, ___ cancel subscriptions you don't use.
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
Say this phrase out loud:
For example, ___.
Introduce a clear example to support what you are saying.
Say this phrase out loud:
For instance, ___.
Introduce an example in a slightly more formal or careful way.
Say this phrase out loud:
Things like ___.
Add one or more examples after a general category.
Say this phrase out loud:
Such as ___.
Introduce examples as members of a group or category.
Say this phrase out loud:
Let me give you an example.
Signal that you are about to explain with an example.
Say this phrase out loud:
To give you an example, ___.
Start an example before giving details.
Say this phrase out loud:
One example is ___.
Present one specific example from several possible examples.
Say this phrase out loud:
Take ___, for example.
Point to a specific case as an example of a larger idea.
Say this phrase out loud:
A good example is ___.
Introduce a strong or useful example in an explanation.
Say this phrase out loud:
To show what I mean, ___.
Introduce an example to make an idea clearer.
Say this phrase out loud:
Here's what I mean: ___.
Clarify a previous point by adding a concrete example.
Say this phrase out loud:
Imagine this: ___.
Ask the listener to consider a simple imagined example.
Say this phrase out loud:
Say you ___.
Introduce a hypothetical example using a simple situation.
