exemplification
C1/C2Formal, Academic
Definition
Meaning
The act or process of illustrating a point or principle by providing a clear example.
A specific instance that serves as a typical model or representative case; a concrete demonstration of an abstract idea, concept, or rule.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is heavily associated with formal logic, rhetoric, law, and academic discourse. It implies a deliberate, often systematic, use of an example to serve as evidence or proof. The example provided is seen as embodying the characteristics of a larger category.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Usage is equally formal and academic in both variants.
Connotations
In legal contexts (e.g., 'exemplification of a record'), it refers to an official, attested copy of a document.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and high-register in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
exemplification of (an idea/principle)exemplification by (an author)exemplification in (a text/context)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A textbook exemplification (of something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used in formal reports or strategy papers: 'This case study is an exemplification of our failed market-entry strategy.'
Academic
Common in philosophy, law, literary criticism, and social sciences to denote a method of argumentation or a typical case: 'The author uses the character as an exemplification of Renaissance humanism.'
Everyday
Extremely rare. A simpler word like 'example' or 'perfect example' is always used instead.
Technical
Used in logic to denote reasoning by example; in law for an official copy of a document.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The lecturer will exemplify the theory with a case study from post-war Britain.
American English
- The Supreme Court decision exemplifies the principle of judicial review.
adverb
British English
- He spoke exemplifyingly about the virtues of patience.
adjective
British English
- His conduct was exemplificatory of the highest professional standards.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- For me, her kindness is the best exemplification of what a good neighbour should be.
- The teacher asked for an exemplification of the grammar rule.
- The novel's protagonist serves as a perfect exemplification of the 'self-made man' archetype prevalent in 19th-century American literature.
- His research paper relies heavily on exemplification rather than statistical analysis to support its thesis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'EXEMPLI-fication' as making something an 'EXAMPLe' (EXEMPLI sounds like 'example').
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ABSTRACT CONCEPT IS A CONCRETE OBJECT (the example is the object that makes the concept tangible).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'пример' in casual speech. 'Exemplification' is a formal, process-oriented term akin to 'иллюстрация', 'демонстрация на примере' or 'типичный образец'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in informal contexts where 'example' is appropriate.
- Incorrect pronunciation: /ɛɡˈzɛm.plɪ.fɪˌkeɪ.ʃən/ (wrong stress).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'exemplification' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While an 'example' is a specific instance, 'exemplification' is the *act or process* of using that instance to illustrate or prove something. It's more abstract and process-oriented.
It is strongly discouraged. Using 'exemplification' in casual speech will sound overly formal and pretentious. Always use 'example', 'perfect example', or 'case in point' instead.
They are very close synonyms in academic contexts. 'Exemplification' often carries a stronger sense of the example being a *representative model* of a rule or category, while 'illustration' can be a more general explanatory aid.
Yes, the verb is 'to exemplify'. For example: 'This painting exemplifies the artist's early style.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Rhetoric and Argumentation
C2 · 49 words · Advanced tools of persuasion and argumentation.