For example or like or such as

[NAL123]

(1) Writers have always used metaphor. For example, Cicero compared the human figure to a vase.

(2) Many of the things he loved as a child - for example candy and cartoons - still give him pleasure.

(3) There are some simple changes you can make for a healthier life. For example, you could take the stairs instead of the lift.

Can I use "like" or "such as" in place of "for example" in the above sentences?

 

[emsr2d2]

(1) Writers have always used metaphor. For example, Cicero compared the human figure to a vase.

In this sentence, no.

(2) Many of the things he loved as a child - for example candy and cartoons - still give him pleasure.

In this sentence, yes, as long as you change the punctuation. See if you can do it yourself.

(3) There are some simple changes you can make for a healthier life. For example, you could take the stairs instead of the lift.

In this sentence, no.

Can I use "like" or "such as" in place of "for example" in the above sentences?

As you can see above, you can't simply replace "For example" with either one. You can do it in sentence 2 with a change in punctuation. Can you work out why it works in 2 but not in 1 or 3?

 

[NAL123]

In this sentence, yes, as long as you change the punctuation. See if you can do it yourself.

Many of the things he loved as a child like/such as candy and cartoons, still give him pleasure.

In this sentence, no.

Not even with a change in punctuation? How about:

There are some simple changes you can make for a healthier life, like you could take the stairs instead of the lift.

Can you work out why it works in 2 but not in 1 or 3?

Is it because (2) uses nouns/noun phrases after "for example", but (1) or (3) use sentences?

 

[emsr2d2]

Many of the things he loved as a child, like/such as candy and cartoons, still give him pleasure.

With the addition of a comma after "child" (as shown above), that's how a change in punctuation would make it possible.

Not even with a change in punctuation? How about this?

There are some simple changes you can make for a healthier life, like you could take taking the stairs instead of the lift.

As you can see above, it would need a change in punctuation and a change to the wording. You could use "such as" there too.

Is it because (2) uses nouns/noun phrases after "for example", but (1) or (3) use sentences?

No. It's because in #1 and #3, the "For example" you were trying to replace is at the start of a sentence. You can't start a sentence with "Like" or "Such as".