Students often make mistakes when using these two phrases. To avoid mistakes, follow this simple advice:
- Use For example, at the start of a sentence.
- Use such as in the middle of a sentence.
Compare these examples:
- Children should eat less junk food. For example, they should avoid eating burgers and chips.
- Children should avoid eating junk food such as burgers and chips.
Notice that 'For example' is followed by a comma and a full sentence. 'Such as' is in the middle of the sentence, followed by two nouns. You can use 'For instance' instead of 'For example'. You can use 'like' instead of 'such as'.
Hi Simon. Which is advisable in writing section, to use Pen or Pencil? If pen is used and some mistakes are occurred, and I corrected them, will it degrade the score?
Posted by: Munchen | May 19, 2013 at 09:33
-some mistakes occurred
Posted by: Munchen | May 19, 2013 at 09:34
Hello everybody! I would like to ask you if therefore and thereby have exactly the same meaning and if we can use both of them in same cases.
Have a nice, sunny day!! :)
Posted by: cd | May 19, 2013 at 12:48
Dear Simon,
In IELTS 9 i faced a problem with the reading test B:-
In questions from 8-14 the instructions were to choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS,However when I answered the questions I found the answers as ( 25 percent - 15 percent ).
Although i know the right answers but the instructions made me confused and i was hesitant to add the number in my answer..Do they count the numbers as letters or what ?
Thanks in advance,
Soha
Posted by: Soha | May 19, 2013 at 12:56
Hi Simon,
It is likely to see for example in the middle of sentences, or at the end of sentences.
Posted by: M | May 19, 2013 at 13:15
thank you simon ....
Posted by: jess | May 19, 2013 at 14:01
Hi simon,
I would like to ask if there is any difference between for example & for instance, and such as & like. I am wondering whether for instance & such as are more formal, which are better phrases to use in writing. Did I misunderstood or not ? Thank you.
Best,
Amdy
Posted by: Andy | May 19, 2013 at 18:47
Hi simon.I really wonder the answer of Amdy's question above.Is there any difference between such as and like?
Thank you for all.
Emre
Posted by: Emre | May 19, 2013 at 19:37
Hi Munchen,
In my experience, it it better to use pencil to write your essay.
Hi Simon,
Recent IELTS often ask about describing maps in Wiriting task 1. I think describing maps is completely different from process.
Could you please show us how to do best in this type of questions.
Thank you very much!
Posted by: Tram | May 20, 2013 at 03:56
Hi Tram,
I have also met writing task 1 of describing maps. Where did you take the test?
Posted by: Hung | May 20, 2013 at 05:45
Dears,
anyone here to answer my previous question which i posted yesterday ?
Have a good day,
Soha
Posted by: Soha | May 20, 2013 at 09:17
FROM SIMON:
Hi guys. To answer some of the questions here, it's best to consult a specialist grammar book or website. For example, here's a grammar site that explains the difference between "such as" and "like" in more detail:
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/like-versus-such-as.aspx
...
A couple of other points:
You can use pen or pencil - both are fine (some test centres will provide pencils).
Instructions usually say "... words AND/OR a number", so "25 percent" is accepted as "ONE word AND a number".
Posted by: Simon | May 20, 2013 at 14:43
Dear All,
A good dictionary like the free Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary also offers examples/explanations on how to use the words properly. For instance, take a look at the "Usage note" section at the bottom of these 2 links:
http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/such
http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/like
Quite useful for both Writing Task1 and Task2, don't you think?
Cheers,
Martin
Posted by: Martin | May 20, 2013 at 19:33
Hi Hung,
I took the test in Australia. I found writing task 1 of describing maps very difficult and some of my friends also agreed with me. This is largely because we are not familar with it.
Hi Martin,
Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Posted by: Tram | May 21, 2013 at 02:05
Dear Simon.
Thank you so much for answering my question but the instructions were NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS ,they did not mention any numbers however in the key answer they wrote " 25 percent"
Dear Martin,
If Simon is busy would you please help me on this question?
Thank you all for your time.
Soha
Posted by: Soha | May 21, 2013 at 09:48
Hi Soha,
Don't worry, numbers are accepted as words for that kind of question.
Posted by: Simon | May 21, 2013 at 12:20
Thanks alot Simon :)
Posted by: Soha | May 21, 2013 at 14:37
Hi Simon,
I have a question. Is order of items in question important for our answer? Like if question says "Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. ", so should we write the paragraph in support before the paragraph against the point of view?
Actually my inclination is not towards the order of question rather the opinion I will support drives the order for me. I put the weaker side first and then I put the stronger side I support, followed by conclusion, to me it appears to make a strong impression for my opinion.
I would be grateful if you can please confirm whether it is right or not. Thanks.
Posted by: Ali | May 21, 2013 at 16:54
Hi Tram,
Which center did you take the test? I took it at RMIT. I hate that day so much.
Posted by: Hung | May 22, 2013 at 00:52
A speaking test lasts 11-15 minutes. When will the examiner mark it? As there is only about 5 minutes between next speaking test, will the examiner finish the assessment at a time later on?
Posted by: Anonymity | June 21, 2013 at 12:14
Hi Simon,
I hope you will see my question here. In your post from Saturday, July 28, 2012 Students' grammar questions (I don't know how to use tags, sorry) you explain how to use "such as" - There are many environmental problems, such as air pollution (last sentence). But in this article your example - Children should avoid eating junk food such as burgers and chips doesn't have a comma before "such as". Which one is true and if both of them are right why?
Thank you in advance.
Posted by: roshavbg | August 28, 2014 at 14:22
Children should avoid eating junk food such as burgers and chip.
Shouldn't there be a comma before such as here?
Posted by: neelam thakur | October 18, 2016 at 08:42
How can i avoid gramatical mistakes in writing task
Posted by: CHIRAG Akbari | August 05, 2017 at 08:17
Herbs are such as ginger and cumin essential oils as the secondary metabolites volatile and aromatic used in many food industries and traditional medicine
hello, can you say me, Is this the correct Sentence?
Posted by: Ameneh | October 13, 2018 at 23:09
I'm toñita and i come from mexico.This help me a lot in my test
Posted by: La toña | February 26, 2019 at 03:12