Meaning & use
exemplify
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Meanings
verbtransitiveformal
To be a very clear, typical example of a quality, idea or type.
Grammar: Takes an object, and the subject is the example: her work exemplifies courage.
Patterns
- something exemplifies something
- exemplify a quality
The old farmhouse exemplifies the style of the region.
Her calm response exemplified the leadership the team needed.
These paintings exemplify the artist's early period.
verbtransitiveformal
To explain or make something clear by giving examples.
Grammar: Here a person is the subject: the teacher exemplified the rule.
Patterns
- exemplify something with something
The author exemplifies each grammar point with a short story.
He exemplified the problem by describing a recent incident.
Let me exemplify what I mean with a simple diagram.
Word forms
| third person singular | exemplifies |
|---|---|
| past tense | exemplified |
| past participle | exemplified |
| -ing form | exemplifying |
Common combinations
- perfectly exemplify
- The town perfectly exemplifies the charm of rural life.
- exemplify the spirit of
- Their volunteering exemplifies the spirit of community.
- exemplify a trend
- The sales figures exemplify a wider trend.
- best exemplified by
- Kindness is best exemplified by small daily acts.
- exemplify values
- Teachers should exemplify the values they teach.
Synonyms and how they differ
- typify
- Typify stresses being typical of a group, while exemplify stresses being a clear example.
- embody
- Embody suggests giving physical or visible form to an idea, a stronger connection than exemplify.
- illustrate
- Illustrate can be used for pictures or explanations, whereas exemplify is mainly about being an example.
- represent
- Represent is wider and neutral, and it lacks the idea of being a clear model.
Opposites
Word family
- example noun
- a typical case or thing shown to explain
- exemplification noun
- the act of illustrating by example
- exemplar noun
- a perfect model or example
- exemplary adjective
- serving as an excellent model
Commonly confused: exemplify or exempt? exemplify or exemplary?
exemplify vs exempt
Exempt means free from a duty or rule, which is quite different from showing an example.
exemplify vs exemplary
Exemplary describes a person or thing worth copying, while exemplify is the verb for being an example.
Practice
Which sentence uses exemplify correctly?
Choose one answer.
Exemplify takes a direct object: generosity exemplifies the best. The other sentences use impossible or illogical constructions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “exemplify”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.