[Vocabulary] For example, such as, like

[uktous]

Hi,


I think I have 3 questions.


When I should use "for example"?
When I should use "such as"?
When I should use " like"?


Some of the European languages come from Latin，for example French，Italian and Spanish.
Some of the European languages come from Latin，such as French，Italian and Spanish.
Some of the European languages come from Latin，like French，Italian and Spanish.


Thanks

[albertino]

Originally Posted by uktous

Hi,


I think I have 3 questions.


When I should use "for example"?
When I should use "such as"?
When I should use " like"?


Some of the European languages come from Latin，for example French，Italian and Spanish.
Some of the European languages come from Latin，such as French，Italian and Spanish.
Some of the European languages come from Latin，like French，Italian and Spanish.


Thanks

(Not a teacher)

FOR EXAMPLE
As with "such as and like", "For example" is often used in the middle/at the end of a sentence to introduce one or more specific examples. We have to separate them with commas if more than one example is used.
But what's more, "for example" can be a transition word to connect a general statement in one sentence with a speicific example in the next sentence. And we have to use "for example' at the beginning of the second sentence.
e.g.
-Many countries, for example Mexico and Japan, have a lot of earthquakes.
-Car prices can vary a lot. For example, in Belgium the VW Golf costs $1000 less than in Britain.
(Click here for more examples.)

SUCH AS
used when giving an example of something
Cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse and Snoopy are still popular.
Large electrical goods such as television sets and washing machines

LIKE
for example
Things like glass, paper, and plastic can all be recycled. Try to avoid fatty foods like cakes and biscuits.

Now you may see that while "for example, such as and like" can be interchangeable in some ways, such as(more formal) & like (less formal) cannot be used as a transition word as "for example".

P.S. Above examples are quoted from Longman Dictionary.

Additional source of reference in Chinese is also available at:http://zhidao.baidu.com/question/13180827.html?fr=qrl3