We explain what an example is, the origin of the term and how it is used in speech. Also, what is an example to follow.
What is an example?
An example It is a case that serves to illustrate a general concept or to explain something through a model freely chosen. In other words, we use examples to clarify what we are trying to explain, through the use of particular and concrete references, whether real or rather hypothetical.
This word comes from Latin exemplumformed by the prefix ex-which indicates origin, and the verb emerge (“take”, “obtain”), thus forming a word that could be translated as “that which has been taken or extracted from a group to serve as a model”. In general, example can be synonymous with model, case, guideline and norm, and an antonym precisely with exception.
Thus, examples are very common rhetorical devices, used in all types of speeches, always with the purpose of serving as a model for specific reasoning. It is very common to ask for examples when faced with certain statements or assertions that are difficult for us to understand or believe. It is also important, in mathematics, to resort to a simple case or solved exercise (that is, to an example) to illustrate a theorem or a definition.
On the other hand, in philosophy and mathematics Counterexamples are cases that allow exceptions to the general rule to be raised.that is, proving a previous statement false. Thus, if an example serves to prove something, a counterexample serves to support the opposite thesis.
Example to follow
Similarly, an example to follow is a desirable behavior or model. This is also known as “setting an example”, that is, serving as a model for others, just as, for example, parents do with their descendants, or teachers with their disciples.
There may be examples to follow in different areas of life: personal, professional, emotional, etc. This is because human beings, in general, learn our behaviors through imitation of others.
Hence also, to refer to people who we consider admirable in many ways, we use the word exemplary: “Mario is an exemplary citizen”, that is, “Mario is a citizen to imitate” or “Mario is a citizen who can well serve as an example.”
References
- “Example” on Wikipedia.
- “Example” in the Dictionary of the language of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Etymology of EXAMPLE” in Etymologies of Chile.net.
