exemplify

/ɪɡˈzemplɪfaɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪɡˈzemplɪfaɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ig-ˈzem-plə-ˌfī/ (ame, mw)

exemplify — verb

  • exemplifypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • exemplifieshe / she / it
  • exemplifiedpast simple
  • exemplifying-ing form

1. to show a quality, idea, or type of thing by being a clear and typical instance

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to show a quality, idea, or type of thing by being a clear and typical instance of it; or to explain or support an idea by giving a concrete example.

例句

Yuki's careful research exemplifies the high standards expected at the university.

exemplify + abstract noun phrase (high standards)

The teacher exemplified each grammar rule by writing simple sentences on the board.

exemplified + noun phrase + by + gerund phrase

同義詞
  • illustrate

    focuses on making something clear, often with pictures or concrete cases; broader and slightly more common than exemplify

  • embody

    stronger than exemplify — suggests the thing is a perfect physical or spiritual representation of an idea

  • demonstrate

    can be used of people showing a skill through action; less formal and more everyday than exemplify

反義詞
  • contradict

    exemplify shows a match; contradict shows the opposite

文法句型

exemplify + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used in academic and formal writing. The subject is typically a thing (an action, object, or situation) rather than a person, though person subjects are possible when the meaning is 'demonstrate through example'.

常見錯誤

❌This report exemplifies about the company's success.
✅This report exemplifies the company's success.
💡exemplify is transitive; it takes a direct object without a preposition.
❌The coach exemplified the team to work harder.
✅The coach exemplified hard work by training every morning himself.
💡exemplify does not take an infinitive complement; use 'by + -ing' or a direct object.