These are all words for a thing or situation that is typical of a particular group or set, and is sometimes used to support an argument. 以上各词均指事例、实例、例证。

• example something such as an object, a fact or a situation that shows, explains or supports what you say; a thing that is typical of or represents a particular group or set 指实例、例证、典型、范例、样品：◆Can you give me an example of what you mean? 你能给我举个实例来解释你的意思吗？
• case a particular situation or a situation of a particular type; a situation that relates to a particular person or thing 指具体情况、事例、实例、特定情况：◆In some cases people have had to wait several weeks for an appointment. 在某些情况下，人们必须等上好几周才能得到约见。
• instance (rather formal) a particular situation or a situation of a particular type 指例子、事例、实例：◆The report highlights a number of instances of injustice. 这篇报道重点列举了一些不公正的实例。
• specimen an example of sth, especially an animal or plant 尤指动植物的样品、实例：◆The aquarium has some interesting specimens of unusual tropical fish. 水族馆里有一些罕见的热带鱼，很有趣。
• illustration (rather formal) a story, an event or an example that clearly shows the truth about sth 指说明事实的故事、实例、示例：◆The statistics are a clear illustration of the point I am trying to make. 这些统计数字清楚地阐明了我要陈述的要点。

example or illustration? 用 example 还是 illustration？

• An illustration is often used to show that sth is true. An example is used to help to explain sth. * illustration 常用以表示事物的真实性，example 用以解释说明。

Patterns

• a(n) example/case/instance/specimen/illustration of sth
• in a particular case/instance
• for example/instance