Many factors are important, for example(,) class, gender, age and ethnicity.

[diamondcutter]

1. Many factors are important, for example class, gender, age and ethnicity.
2. It is possible to combine Computer Science with other subjects, for example Physics.

Source: Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

I’d like to know if a comma could be used after “for example” in the two sentences above. Like this:

1. Many factors are important, for example, class, gender, age and ethnicity.
2. It is possible to combine Computer Science with other subjects, for example, Physics.

 

[tedmc]

Yes, it is, according to:
https://linguaholic.com/linguablog/comma-after-for-example/

 

[Tdol]

I would use it in the second, but not the first.

 

[5jj]

I'd use it in both.

 

[TheParser]

NOT A TEACHER


Diamondcutter, sometimes it is helpful to read a sentence aloud to yourself several times. Whenever you need to pause, that would often be a good place for a comma in written discourse.

"Many factors are important [pause] for example [pause] class, age and ethnicity." (Some Americans would also use a comma after the word "age.")

"It is possible to combine Computer Science with other subjects [pause] for example [pause] Physics."

 

[Tdol]

I'd use it in both.

I would use it after the first if the punctuation after important were different.

 

[TheParser]

1. Many factors are important, for example class, gender, age and ethnicity.
2. It is possible to combine Computer Science with other subjects, for example Physics.

Source: Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

NOT A TEACHER


I know that I am in no position to question the Oxford dictionary.

But on further consideration, I would prefer to revise both sentences.

1. "For example, many factors are important: class, gender, age[,] and ethnicity." (I believe a colon should follow the word "important.")

2. "It is possible to combine Computer Science with other subjects. For example, Physics."

 

[slevlife]

I would use it in the second, but not the first.

I'd use it in both.

I'd use it with neither.

As you can see from the differing opinions, for these sentences it's more of a stylistic choice. You could base the choice on whether you want people to read it with a pause, on aesthetics, on a personal preference or aversion for optional punctuation, or on some other personal system.

I would use it after the first if the punctuation after important were different.

As would I.

 

[5jj]

I know that I am in no position to question the Oxford dictionary.

The compilers of the Oxford Dictionary did not make up those examples. The examples came from sundry corpora.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd simplify the problem by adding a dash and moving "for example" to the end.

1. Many factors are important - class, gender, age and ethnicity, for example.
2. It is possible to combine Computer Science with other subjects - Physics, for example.

 

[jutfrank]

I'd simplify the problem by adding a dash and moving "for example" to the end.

1. Many factors are important - class, gender, age and ethnicity, for example.
2. It is possible to combine Computer Science with other subjects - Physics, for example.

Yes, or:

1) Many factors are important—for example, class, gender, age, and ethnicity.
2) It is possible to combine Computer Science with other subjects—for example, Physics.

I consider the original dictionary examples incorrect. The commas preceding the 'for example' phrases should be replaced by dashes or semicolons and there should be commas following the 'for example' phrases.

 

[diamondcutter]

I would use it after the first if the punctuation after important were different.

I don't quite understand this sentence. Would you please explain it to me?

Do you mean "in the first (sentence)" not "after the first (sentence)"?

Do you mean you would write the first sentence like this?

Many factors are important--for example, class, gender, age and ethnicity.

 

[diamondcutter]

Are the following versions also correct?
1. Many factors are important. For example, class, gender, age and ethnicity.

2. Many factors are important: for example, class, gender, age and ethnicity.

 

[tedmc]

Are the following versions also correct?
1. Many factors are important. For example, class, gender, age and ethnicity.

It is neither natural nor correct. The second part is not a sentence.

2. Many factors are important: for example, class, gender, age and ethnicity.

I think a comma or a dash is more appropriate than a colon, which is usually followed by a list of items.

 

[diamondcutter]

Do you mean we can't use "For example" to introduce noun phrases as an independent sentence like this?

Many factors are important. For example, class, gender, age and ethnicity.

 

[5jj]

That's right. We can't.

 

[diamondcutter]

Some cautions must be mentioned -- for example good tools are essential to do the job well.
Source: Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Could I rewrite the sample sentence like this?
Some cautions must be mentioned. For example, good tools are essential to do the job well.