Tóm tắt

Ví dụ tốt là ví dụ cụ thể, liên quan, và được giới thiệu tự nhiên — không phải chỉ dán "for example" vào đầu câu bất kỳ.

Register Connectors Ngữ cảnh
Formal (Writing) for example, for instance, to illustrate, such as, namely Task 1, Task 2
Semi-formal in particular, a good example is, a case in point is Task 2, Speaking Part 3
Informal (Speaking) like, take...for example, think about, I mean Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Tại sao quan trọng

Trong IELTS Writing, Coherence and Cohesion và Task Achievement đều đánh giá khả năng develop ý và support luận điểm bằng ví dụ cụ thể. Một bài văn chỉ có claim mà không có evidence/example sẽ không vượt qua Band 6.

Trong Speaking, ví dụ giúp bạn nói dài hơn một cách tự nhiên và chứng minh khả năng expand on a topic — tiêu chí Fluency & Coherence.

Tuy nhiên, nếu chỉ dùng "for example" mãi, bài nói/viết sẽ đơn điệu và examiner sẽ không thấy Lexical Range.

NHÓM 1: FOR EXAMPLE / FOR INSTANCE — phổ biến nhất

Hai cụm từ này hoàn toàn thay thế cho nhau — đứng đầu câu, theo sau là dấu phẩy:

[Statement]. For example, [specific example].
[Statement]. For instance, [specific example].

  • Technology has transformed daily communication. For example, people can now video-call relatives on the other side of the world instantly and for free.

  • Many factors contribute to poor academic performance. For instance, inadequate sleep has been shown to significantly impair memory consolidation and concentration.

Lưu ý: "For example" và "for instance" đứng đầu câu mới — luôn có dấu phẩy sau. Không dùng "For example" ở giữa câu như "such as".

NHÓM 2: SUCH AS — tích hợp trong câu, không cần câu mới

"Such as" được đặt bên trong câu để liệt kê ví dụ — không bắt đầu câu mới:

[Noun], such as [example 1], [example 2], and [example 3]
  • Many industries, such as manufacturing, retail, and logistics, have been disrupted by automation.
  • Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are becoming increasingly cost-competitive.
  • Lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, and sleep quality, play a crucial role in long-term health.

Không thêm dấu phẩy sau "such as" trong mid-sentence usage. ❌ ...factors, such as, diet and exercise... (sai) ✅ ...factors, such as diet and exercise... (đúng)

NHÓM 3: TO ILLUSTRATE / TO DEMONSTRATE — trang trọng, mở đầu cho ví dụ dài

Dùng khi ví dụ sau đó là một đoạn dài, chi tiết — thường trong Writing Task 2:

[Statement]. To illustrate, [detailed example].
[Statement]. To demonstrate this, [detailed example].

  • The impact of social media on self-image cannot be underestimated. To illustrate, a 2019 study by the Royal Society for Public Health found that Instagram was the most harmful platform for young people's mental health, with users reporting increased anxiety, depression, and body image concerns after use.

  • Education systems can adapt successfully even in low-resource environments. To demonstrate, Finland transformed its education outcomes over two decades without increasing per-pupil spending, simply by investing in teacher training and reducing standardised testing.

NHÓM 4: A GOOD EXAMPLE IS / A CASE IN POINT IS — bán trang trọng

Phù hợp cho cả Speaking Part 3 và Writing Task 2 — nghe tự nhiên hơn "for example" nhưng vẫn đủ academic:

[Statement]. A good example of this is [example].
[Statement]. A case in point is [example].
[Statement]. [Example] is a good example of this.

  • Investment in renewable energy can generate significant economic returns. A good example of this is Denmark, which now generates over 50% of its electricity from wind power and has created thousands of green jobs in the process.

  • Rapid urbanisation often strains infrastructure beyond capacity. A case in point is Lagos, where population growth has far outpaced the development of roads, water systems, and housing.

NHÓM 5: NAMELY — đặt tên cụ thể cho ví dụ

"Namely" dùng khi bạn muốn nêu tên chính xác sau một câu tổng quát:

[General statement], namely [specific name/example].
  • Two factors are particularly important, namely parental involvement and access to quality early childhood education.
  • The policy targets the most vulnerable groups, namely low-income families and those with disabilities.

NHÓM 6: IN PARTICULAR / PARTICULARLY — nhấn mạnh ví dụ đặc biệt

Dùng để làm nổi bật một ví dụ hoặc nhóm trong số nhiều:

..., in particular, [example/group].
[Group], particularly/in particular, [has/have] + ...
  • Young people, in particular, are affected by the pressures of social media comparison.
  • Urban areas, particularly in developing countries, face severe air quality challenges.
  • Several sectors have benefited from digital transformation, in particular healthcare and education.

NHÓM 7: SPEAKING-SPECIFIC — informal connectors cho phần thi nói

Trong Speaking, những connectors này nghe tự nhiên và conversational — không nên dùng trong Writing:

"Like" — ví dụ ngắn, nhanh

  • "I enjoy outdoor activities, like hiking, cycling, or just going for a walk in the park."
  • "There are a lot of good cafés here, like the one near my university."

"Take...for example" — introduce specific case

  • "Take South Korea, for example — they invested heavily in technology education in the 1990s and are now one of the most innovative economies in the world."
  • "Take my cousin — she moved abroad two years ago and she's still getting used to the cultural differences."

"Think about..." — invite examiner to consider

  • "Think about how much time people spend on their phones each day — it's usually several hours."
  • "Think about what cities were like fifty years ago compared to now — the change is remarkable."

"I mean..." — clarify or give concrete detail

  • "Cities can be overwhelming — I mean, the noise, the traffic, the crowds... it's a lot to deal with."
  • "I love cooking, I mean, not fancy restaurant-style cooking, just simple home food."

"For example / for instance" — ổn cho cả hai kỹ năng

  • "For example, in my city, public transport has improved a lot in recent years."

PHÂN BIỆT REGISTER: SPEAKING vs WRITING

Situation WRITING phù hợp SPEAKING phù hợp
Giới thiệu ví dụ For example, / For instance, / To illustrate, For example, / Like, / Take...for example
Nhấn mạnh nhóm In particular, / Particularly In particular, / Especially, / Like
Nêu tên cụ thể Namely, Well, specifically... / I mean, take...
Ví dụ tích hợp câu such as like (informal)
Ví dụ từ nghiên cứu Research shows that... / A study found that... Studies suggest that... / I read somewhere that...

STRUCTURE: Ví dụ hiệu quả = Cụ thể + Liên quan + Phát triển

Một ví dụ yếu: - "For example, technology is used by many people." (quá chung chung)

Một ví dụ mạnh: - "For example, in Japan, the introduction of cashless payment systems in the 2010s dramatically reduced transaction times in retail stores — some convenience chains reported a 40% improvement in checkout speed."

Ba yêu cầu của ví dụ tốt: 1. Cụ thể (specific): tên quốc gia, con số, tình huống thật 2. Liên quan (relevant): ví dụ phải trực tiếp support luận điểm 3. Phát triển (developed): không chỉ kể ví dụ mà còn giải thích tại sao nó liên quan

Lỗi thường gặp

Lỗi 1: "For example" ở giữa câu thay vì đầu câu

  • ❌ Technology, for example is changing education.
  • ✅ Technology is changing education. For example, online platforms now allow students to learn from world-class universities for free.

Lỗi 2: Dùng "such as" để bắt đầu câu

  • ❌ Such as, South Korea and Finland have excellent education systems.
  • ✅ Several countries, such as South Korea and Finland, have highly effective education systems.
  • ✅ For example, South Korea and Finland have consistently high-performing education systems.

Lỗi 3: Ví dụ quá chung chung, không cụ thể

  • ❌ "For example, many countries have improved their healthcare." (vô ích)
  • ✅ "For example, Cuba, despite limited resources, has achieved universal healthcare coverage with infant mortality rates comparable to developed nations."

Lỗi 4: Ví dụ không liên quan đến luận điểm

  • ❌ "Cities are stressful for young people. For example, cities have good nightlife."
  • ✅ "Cities can be stressful for young people. For example, high rent costs, competitive job markets, and social isolation are commonly reported issues among urban youth."

Lỗi 5: Dùng "like" trong Writing (quá informal)

  • ❌ Many countries, like France and Germany, have strong welfare systems.
  • ✅ Many countries, such as France and Germany, have strong welfare systems.

Ứng dụng trong IELTS

Writing Task 2 — đoạn văn mẫu với ví dụ được dùng đúng:

"One major advantage of remote working is that it reduces commuting time, allowing employees to use those hours more productively. For instance, a survey by Owl Labs found that remote workers save an average of 40 minutes daily by not commuting — time many redirect towards exercise, family, or professional development. This is particularly beneficial in congested cities, such as London or Tokyo, where average commutes can exceed 90 minutes each way. To illustrate the economic impact, a Stanford study found that productivity among remote workers increased by 13% compared to their office-based counterparts."

Speaking Part 3 — câu trả lời tự nhiên:

"Q: Do you think governments should do more to promote cycling?"

"Yes, I think so. Take the Netherlands, for example — they've built an incredible cycling infrastructure over decades, and now over 27% of all trips are made by bike. And I mean, that's not just good for the environment — it's genuinely changed the quality of life there. Like, people are healthier, cities are less congested, and public spaces are more pleasant. I think other countries could learn a lot from that model."

Bài tập luyện

Thêm ví dụ phù hợp

Hãy thêm một ví dụ vào mỗi câu dưới đây, bắt đầu bằng connector phù hợp:

  1. Technology has significantly improved healthcare outcomes. ___...
  2. Many cities are struggling with air pollution. ___...
  3. Several European countries have excellent public transport systems, ___...
  4. Young people today face economic pressures their parents did not. ___...

Chọn connector phù hợp

Điền vào chỗ trống: for example / such as / namely / to illustrate / in particular / like

  1. Renewable energy sources, ___ solar and wind, are growing rapidly.
  2. ___, Denmark now generates more than half of its electricity from wind.
  3. Two factors stand out, ___ funding and training.
  4. Young people, ___, are affected more by housing costs.
  5. ___ how quickly habits form — it takes roughly 66 days on average.
  6. I enjoy outdoor sports, ___ hiking or cycling on weekends.

Đáp án

Connector: 1. such as | 2. For example / To illustrate | 3. namely | 4. in particular | 5. Think about | 6. like

Tóm tắt nhanh

Connector Vị trí Register Cấu trúc
For example, Đầu câu Cả hai ...For example, Japan...
For instance, Đầu câu Cả hai ...For instance, in 2020...
such as Giữa câu Formal ...countries, such as France...
To illustrate, Đầu câu Formal (W) ...To illustrate, a study found...
A case in point is Đầu câu Semi-formal ...A case in point is Denmark.
namely Giữa câu Formal ...two factors, namely...
In particular, Đầu/giữa Cả hai ...youth, in particular,...
like Giữa câu Informal (S) ...activities, like hiking...
Take...for example Đầu câu Informal (S) Take South Korea, for example.

Quy tắc vàng: - Ví dụ phải cụ thể, liên quan, và được phát triển — không chỉ kể tên - Trong Writing: dùng "such as", "for example", "to illustrate", "namely" - Trong Speaking: dùng "like", "take...for example", "think about" - Tránh lặp "for example" quá nhiều — xen kẽ các connectors khác nhau