English course

Lesson 165 of 240

New here? This is lesson 165 of a free 240-lesson English course.

Start hereHow this works

For example in English

Marcus wants the window point in plain words. Ana has the north wall drawings, but he still looks lost.

She will give him examples from the drawing. Each one helps him see her point more clearly.

By the end, you'll introduce an example, name one case, and point to something someone can see.

These lines help you explain a plan at work without a long speech.

By the end of this lesson

Give an example to explain a point.

  • For example, ___.Here is one case that helps explain my point: ___.
  • Let me give you an example.I will explain with a real case.
  • One example is ___.___ is one thing in that group.
  • Take the lighting, for example.Think about the lights as one case.
  • Here's what I mean.This next thing will make my point clearer.
  • To show what I mean, look at this.Look at this so my point is clearer.

Scene — the north wall

That afternoon at the studio downtown, Ana and Marcus stand at a long desk with drawings for the small library project.

Marcus wants her point about the old windows in plain words. Ana has photos of the north wall beside the drawings.

Her teal tote sits on a chair. She moves one photo closer to Marcus.

Ana spreads north-wall prints beside the drawings while Marcus stands across the long desk.

Learn — give an example

Six lines help you explain a point with an example.

You can name one thing from a group or show someone a detail on a drawing.

  1. Ana traces a window bay on the drawing as Marcus watches from beside the desk.

    For example, ___.

    Here is one case that helps explain my point: ___.

    When to use it: Say this when you name one case that helps explain your point.

    Fill the blank with a real example that helps explain your point.

    Say it: The stress in example is on the second part.

  2. Ana turns from the desk with an open hand, preparing to offer a real example.

    Let me give you an example.

    I will explain with a real case.

    When to use it: Say this before you explain your point with a real case.

    Give the example in your next sentence.

  3. Ana taps one window shape on the north-wall drawing while Marcus looks on.

    One example is ___.

    ___ is one thing in that group.

    When to use it: Use this to name one thing from a group.

    Fill the blank with the name of one thing.

  4. Ana gestures toward daylight at the studio windows while Marcus remains by the drawings.

    Take the lighting, for example.

    Think about the lights as one case.

    When to use it: Say this when the lights are one example for your point.

    Take here asks someone to think about the lighting.

  5. Ana slides a printed image across the desk toward Marcus.

    Here's what I mean.

    This next thing will make my point clearer.

    When to use it: Say this just before you explain your point more clearly.

    Here's is short for here is.

    Say it: The -s in Here's has a z sound.

  6. Ana angles a printed image toward Marcus to show daylight reaching a table near the north wall.

    To show what I mean, look at this.

    Look at this so my point is clearer.

    When to use it: Say this when you want someone to look at an example.

    Point to the thing you want the other person to see.

Story — he wants an example

Watch Ana explain her window idea to Marcus. She uses details from the north wall to help him understand.

Listen for each example and what it shows.

  1. Ana spreads the north wall photos beside the drawings.
  2. MarcusSo, what's your point about the windows?He asks what Ana wants him to understand.
  3. AnaI'd rather keep the old windows.I would prefer not to change the windows.
  4. MarcusOkay. Can you give me an example of what's worth keeping?He wants Ana to name one good detail.
  5. AnaLet me give you an example.I will explain with a real case.
  6. MarcusGo ahead.He is ready to hear her example.
  7. AnaFor example, the tall windows fit the spaces in the brick exactly.The windows are the right size for the wall openings.
  8. MarcusWell, what about the smaller details?He asks her to name a small part worth keeping.
  9. AnaOne example is the old glass. It gives the reading room a soft light.The glass is one useful detail because its light is gentle.
  10. MarcusAnd how does that help people using the room?He asks how this makes the room better for readers.
  11. AnaTake the lighting, for example. People can read by these windows without a bright lamp.The window light lets people read with fewer lamps.
  12. MarcusI'm having trouble picturing that.He cannot clearly imagine what she describes.
  13. AnaHere's what I mean.This next thing will make my point clearer.
  14. Ana slides a photo toward Marcus and points to a table near the north wall.
  15. AnaTo show what I mean, look at this. The lamps are off, but the table's bright.The photo shows enough daylight for the table without lamps.
  16. Marcus studies the photo and nods.
  17. MarcusThat's a fair point.That is a reasonable idea.

Practice — name one case

Eleven quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, and build a line.

Use each example to make a point clear, then review three earlier lines.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    For example, ___.Drop the Simple English here
    Let me give you an example.Drop the Simple English here
    Here's what I mean.Drop the Simple English here
    To show what I mean, look at this.Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    You're explaining the room's good features and want to name the lights as one example.

  4. What does it mean?

    Let me give you an example.

  5. What does it mean?

    One example is ___.

  6. Build the line

    This next thing will make my point clearer.

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Pick the reply

    Marcus says:

    Can you point to it in the photo?

    He asks you to show the detail in the photo.

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    You want Marcus to think about the lights as one example.

    Take the ____, for example.

  9. True or false?

    The speaker prefers to replace the windows.

  10. What does it mean?

    That's a fair point.

  11. What do you say?

    You have a drawing in front of you and want Marcus to check it with you.

Say it — make your point clear

Now you're Ana at the long desk. Use four lines to help Marcus understand your point about the room.

When it's your turn, tap the microphone and record your line.

  1. MarcusCan you explain your point about the windows?He wants to understand your idea.
  2. Ana (you)Offer to explain with a real case.

    Let me give you an example.

    I will explain with a real case.

0 of 4 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
For example, ___.Here is one case that helps explain my point: ___.
Let me give you an example.I will explain with a real case.
One example is ___.___ is one thing in that group.
Take the lighting, for example.Think about the lights as one case.
Here's what I mean.This next thing will make my point clearer.
To show what I mean, look at this.Look at this so my point is clearer.
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