Formal Expressions for Introducing Examples

These expressions act as logical bridges. They connect a general statement to specific instances. In Portuguese, placement is very important. Most of these require specific punctuation. You usually need a comma before them. Sometimes, you need a comma after too. Think of commas as grammar traffic lights. They tell the reader when to pause. Without them, your sentence might crash. These connectors also signal your intent. Some suggest you are listing everything. Others suggest you are just picking a few. Choosing the right one changes your meaning. It is like choosing the right filter for a photo. It changes the whole vibe of the sentence.

1. 1State your general idea or category first.
2. 2Choose a formal connector based on context.
3. 3Add a comma before the connector.
4. 4Place the connector: nomeadamente or tais como.
5. 5List your specific examples or instances.
6. 6Add a comma after if the sentence continues.
7. 7Ensure the gender matches the main noun.
8. 8Check if the connector requires a verb.

You should use these in academic writing. They are essential for university-level theses. Use them in professional business emails too. They work well during job interviews. Imagine you are describing your past skills. Instead of saying "I did things like...", use tais como. It makes you sound much more competent. Use them when writing articles for journals. They are great for formal debates as well. Basically, use them whenever you want to impress. If the situation feels serious, these are your friends. They provide a structural skeleton for your arguments.

Avoid these in very casual settings. Do not use verbi gratia at a bar. Your friends might think you are a robot. Do not use them in quick text messages. It feels too stiff and unnatural there. If you are ordering a pizza, keep it simple. Using a título de exemplo with a waiter is overkill. It is like wearing a tuxedo to the beach. You will look out of place. Also, do not use them if you have no examples. That sounds obvious, but people do it! Only use them to clarify or prove a point. If the point is already clear, stop.

Many people say como por exemplo. This is actually a redundant phrase. It is like saying "ATM machine" in English. Just use como or por exemplo alone. Another mistake is forgetting the commas. Commas are not optional in formal Portuguese. Native speakers often mess this up too. Do not feel bad if you do. Another error is using a saber incorrectly. A saber implies you are listing everything. Do not use it for a partial list. Also, watch out for nomeadamente. It should point to specific, important items. Do not just throw it in randomly. Precision is the key to C1 success.

Let's compare como and tais como. Como is the basic, everyday version. Tais como is the sophisticated, formal cousin. They do the same job but look different. Now, look at nomeadamente versus a saber. Nomeadamente means "specifically" or "namely". It highlights specific members of a group. A saber is more like "which are". It introduces a full explanation or list. It is more definitive and final. Then we have v.g. or verbi gratia. This is the most formal option. It is almost exclusively for legal texts. It is the "final boss" of formal examples. Use it sparingly for maximum impact.