Question
30 Nov 2020
- Kazakh
- Russian Near fluent
-
English (US)
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French (France)
-
Korean
Question about English (US)
Why do all people say "for example"?not "for an example"?Don't we have to use an article?
thanks in advance!!
Why do all people say "for example"?not "for an example"?Don't we have to use an article?
thanks in advance!!
thanks in advance!!
Answers
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- English (US)
"For example" is just an idiom. I don't think there's a specific reason we don't use "an". It's just one of those strange occurrences in the English language. Excellent question, though!
Highly-rated answerer
- Kazakh
- Russian Near fluent
@bmmaynard87 Could I ask one more? So can I say " for instance"?or it's better to use an article?thanks in advance!!
- English (US)
It’s an idiom, a saying that doesn’t necessarily have the exact meaning of the words. It’s just a phrase we say.
You are technically right, it should be “for an example”, except that “for example” is just a phrase we use that doesn’t follow the rules.
- English (US)
@dana105 "For instance" is correct. (No "an" is necessary)
Highly-rated answerer
- Kazakh
- Russian Near fluent
@bmmaynard87 "an" is not necessary? I got it! thanks a million!!!!
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