Study materials
These words help the reader find their way in a text: where a list is, where an example is, and where the summary is.
Firstly, the flat is small. Secondly, it is noisy.
Cities such as Kyiv and Lviv attract many tourists.
To sum up, the new route is shorter and safer.
This article explains how to give an example with for example, such as, e.g. and i.e., how to order points with firstly, secondly and finally and how finally differs from at last, and how to sum up.
How to give an example
For example and for instance open an example as a separate sentence or as part of one with a comma. Such as goes inside a sentence before a list.
Some cities are very old. For example, Kyiv is over 1,500 years old.
For example with a full sentence.
Cities such as Kyiv and Lviv attract many tourists.
Such as before a list.
The abbreviation e.g. means for example, and i.e. means that is, namely. They are not confused: e.g. gives one example among others, i.e. clarifies exactly what is meant.
Order and summary
Points in a text are ordered with firstly, secondly, then, finally, lastly. Finally means and the last point, while at last means after a long wait.
Firstly, the cost is high. Secondly, the method is slow. Finally, it needs special equipment.
Three points.
We waited for hours, and at last the bus came.
At last, after waiting.
A summary is introduced by to sum up, in short, in summary or overall. The fixed phrase last but not least means last but equally important, without the.
Common mistakes
The first mistake is at last instead of finally.
Firstly, the cost is high. Secondly, it is slow. At last, it is noisy. → Finally, it is noisy.
At last means after a long wait.
The second mistake is the in a fixed phrase.
last but not the least → last but not least
The phrase has no the.
The third mistake is i.e. where one of several examples is given.
Bring something warm, i.e. a jacket. → Bring something warm, e.g. a jacket.
E.g. gives an example, i.e. specifies.
The first mistake shows in the last point of a list. Finally or lastly introduces it, and at last is kept for a long wait. The second shows in the phrase last but not least itself, which is learned without the. The third shows if you ask whether this is one of several possible examples. If so, e.g. is needed, and if it specifies the same thing, i.e.