You know that moment when you’re mid-sentence, typing away, and suddenly your brain hits a wall? You’ve already said “for example” twice in the same paragraph, and now you’re scrambling for a synonym so your high school English teacher doesn’t haunt your dreams? Yeah, I’ve been there — like the time I tried to help my niece with her college essay about “leadership.” By the third draft, every other sentence started with “For example…” She looked at me and deadpanned, “Aunt Kate, are we writing a textbook or a personal statement?” (Spoiler: She got into her top choice. But we fixed that essay first.)
Here’s the thing: “another example” is a workhorse phrase, but leaning on it too hard can make writing feel robotic. Over the years — through grading my students’ papers, writing DIY blogs, and surviving my own cringey LinkedIn phase — I’ve learned a few alternatives that actually stick. Not from a thesaurus, but from trial and error. Like the time I tried to sound smart in a work email by using “to wit” instead of “for example.” My boss replied, “Is this a legal brief or a Zoom invite?” (Lesson learned: Know your audience.)
Real-World Swaps That Won’t Scream “Thesaurus!”
- “Case in point”: My go-to when I need to sound a little punchier. Used this in a PTA fundraiser email last fall (“Case in point: Our 2022 bake sale funded the new library chairs!”). Got 20% more donations than the year before. Coincidence? Maybe. But it feels less stuffy than “for instance.”
- “Like…” or “Say…”: Casual but effective. When explaining VPNs to my tech-wary mom: “It’s like sending mail in a locked box instead of a postcard.” Lightbulb moment achieved.
- “Picture this”: Gold for storytelling. Used it in a blog about fixing a leaky faucet: “Picture this: It’s 11 PM, Home Depot’s closed, and you’ve got a cereal bowl under the sink…” Readers loved the vibe.
- “Here’s the kicker”: Saved this one for my rogue garage-sale-Flippa-empire phase (RIP 2019). In a Facebook Marketplace post: “Vintage typewriter works perfectly… here’s the kicker: It still has a love letter from 1972 tucked inside.” Sold in 4 hours.
But here’s what nobody tells you: Sometimes repetition is okay. I learned this the hard way while editing a friend’s wedding website. We’d swapped every “for example” with “to illustrate,” “as evidenced by,” and even a reckless “per the instance of.” It read like a Dickens novel filtered through a corporate jargon generator. The bride’s feedback? “This doesn’t sound like us.” Back to basics we went.
When to Break the Rules
- Dialogue/natural writing: If you’re quoting someone or aiming for a conversational tone, lean into repetition. My uncle’s fishing rant — “And then I lost another one! Another example of why we need better rods!” — loses its saltiness if I “case in point” it to death.
- Technical contexts: Writing a manual for my neighbor’s pool-cleaning side hustle? Clarity beats creativity. “For example” is your friend.
Tiny Hack That Changed Everything
Keep a “banned words” list. Mine lives on a neon Post-It above my desk (next to a Starbucks cup from the Obama era — don’t ask). Whenever I notice overusing a phrase, I add it and brainstorm 2-3 alternatives. “Another example” shares space with “utilize” (just say “use”), “leverage” (unless we’re talking actual levers), and my arch-nemesis “synergy.”
Last thing: Read your writing aloud. If you trip over your fancy synonym, ditch it. Your reader’s inner voice will thank you.
Now go forth and vary those examples — or don’t. Either way, you’ve got options. (And if all else fails, hit ‘em with a “…” or an em dash. Works every time — trust me.)