exemplified
C1Formal, academic, professional, journalistic.
Definition
Meaning
Served as or provided a typical example of something; illustrated by giving a clear instance.
Embodied or represented the essential qualities of an idea, principle, or group; made something abstract concrete through a specific case.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a deliberate, representative act of demonstration. It carries an active sense of 'making an example of' rather than passively 'being an example'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. British English may show a slight preference for 'by' in passive constructions ('exemplified by') while American English might also use 'with', but both are used interchangeably.
Connotations
Equally formal and academic in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British academic writing according to corpus data, but the difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] exemplifies [Object] (e.g., The case exemplifies the problem).[Object] is exemplified by [Subject] (e.g., The principle is exemplified by his actions).[Subject] exemplifies [Object] in/through [Medium] (e.g., She exemplified courage in adversity).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not a common idiom source. Often used in set phrases like 'as exemplified by...']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports and analysis: 'The risks were exemplified by the recent market downturn.'
Academic
Common in essays and research: 'This theory is best exemplified in the works of Foucault.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; more likely in discussion: 'Her kindness was exemplified when she helped the stranger.'
Technical
Used in legal, scientific, and philosophical writing to specify instances: 'The mutation is exemplified in the following three cases.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The architect's later work exemplified the shift towards sustainable design.
- His loyalty was exemplified by his decades of service to the firm.
American English
- The quarterback's performance exemplified resilience under pressure.
- This policy is exemplified in the new community guidelines.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher exemplified the grammar rule with a simple sentence.
- His honesty was exemplified when he returned the lost wallet.
- The novel's protagonist exemplified the struggles of the era.
- Good leadership is exemplified by clear communication and empathy.
- The court's ruling exemplified the evolving interpretation of privacy laws.
- His career exemplified the perfect synergy between artistic innovation and commercial success.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EX-AMPLE-I-FIED. You took an 'example' (AMPLE) and you 'fied' it (made it into a verb). You made something into a clear example.
Conceptual Metaphor
ABSTRACT IS CONCRETE (Making an abstract quality visible through a specific instance). IDEA IS AN OBJECT (Presenting an idea as a tangible example).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'пример' (example/noun). Remember it's a verb: 'служить примером', 'иллюстрировать', 'олицетворять'.
- Confusion with 'amplified' (усиленный) due to phonetic similarity in the middle syllables.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He is an exemplified of hard work.' (Use noun: 'exemplar' or 'example').
- Incorrect: 'This exemplified the problem good.' (Use adverb: 'well').
- Spelling: 'examplified' (missing 'e' after 'x').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'exemplified' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is primarily used in formal, academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. It is rarely used in casual everyday conversation.
Yes, the base form is 'exemplify' (e.g., This case exemplifies the problem). 'Exemplified' is the simple past and past participle form.
'Exemplified' implies serving as a classic, representative, or typical instance that embodies a broader principle. 'Shown' is more general and neutral, simply meaning to make something visible or evident.
Yes, the related nouns are 'example', 'exemplar', and 'exemplification'. 'Exemplification' refers specifically to the act of exemplifying.
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