Usage ExampleEdit
Usage example is a compact, practical tool used across language and technology to show how a term or function behaves in real-world contexts. In lexicography and grammar, a usage example typically appears as a short sentence or phrase that demonstrates meaning, syntax, and collocations. In software and technical writing, a usage example demonstrates how to invoke a function, method, or API in a concrete situation, often including sample inputs and expected outputs. Across domains, well-chosen usage examples help learners move from abstract definitions to actionable understanding.
In dictionaries, usage examples anchor definitions in concrete language data drawn from real usage. They illuminate nuances such as connotation, register, and typical collocations, and they help distinguish similar terms by showing how they are used differently in practice. In linguistic reference work, usage examples are linked to corpus (linguistics) studies and to lexicography standards that govern what kinds of sentences count as representative. They also reflect variation across dialects and social registers, showing how a word or phrase can shift meaning or acceptability in different communities. See for instance how a term might appear in dictionary entries to illustrate senses, usage constraints, and typical syntactic frames.
In computing and software documentation, usage examples demonstrate how to apply a library, framework, or tool in real code. They appear in documentation and in API references to help developers understand how to construct valid calls, handle errors, and manage resources. Good usage examples balance brevity with completeness, showing essential steps without overwhelming readers with extraneous detail. They may include edge cases or common pitfalls to help users anticipate trouble spots. For more about how such examples are authored and evaluated, look at discussions in API design and software documentation practices.
Linguistic usage examples
Linguistic usage examples play a central role in explaining meaning, syntax, and pragmatics. They help readers see how a term behaves across sentence positions, how it pairs with other words, and how tone or formality can alter interpretation. In reference works, editors curate examples from a range of sources to illustrate primary senses and to reveal less common but legitimate uses. The practice of selecting examples is not neutral in every case; it reflects editorial choices about which varieties, registers, and contexts are deemed representative. See linguistics and descriptivism for discussions about how usage data shapes understandings of language, and how prescriptive norms sometimes clash with actual usage.
Examples also reveal how language shifts over time, as new senses emerge or older ones become less common. Those shifts can be accentuated by technology, media, and education, which in turn affect what counts as an acceptable usage example in different communities. For further exploration of how usage data informs linguistic theory, consult corpus (linguistics) studies and descriptivism discussions.
Computational usage examples
In programming, a usage example often accompanies a code snippet that shows how to call a function or use a library in a realistic scenario. Documentation pages may present multiple examples to cover typical workflows, error handling, and performance considerations. The quality of these examples matters: clear, minimal, and correct examples reduce friction for new users and can accelerate productive adoption of a tool. Readers may encounter API references that pair method signatures with short, reproducible demonstrations, helping developers translate abstract API surfaces into concrete behavior.
Beyond tutorials, usage examples in software are sometimes contested when they illustrate only a narrow slice of possible usage or rely on outdated patterns. Contemporary practice encourages examples that reflect current best practices, security considerations, and accessibility concerns. See programming resources and software documentation guidelines for broader perspectives on example quality and maintenance.
Controversies and debates
In language resources, debates center on descriptivist versus prescriptivist philosophies. Descriptivists argue that usage examples should reflect how language is actually used by speakers and writers, including regional, social, and fashionable varieties. Prescriptivists contend that usage examples should model preferred norms to guide learners toward clear and standard communication. Both positions influence which examples editors choose and how often certain forms are deemed acceptable. See descriptivism and prescriptivism for deeper treatments of these debates, and note how editorial choices in dictionarys and glossaries shape perceptions of correctness.
In computational contexts, debates focus on what constitutes a sufficient or representative usage example. Critics warn that overly compact examples can omit important edge cases or context, while proponents argue that concise snippets improve comprehension and reduce cognitive load. There is also discussion about inclusivity and representation in code samples, such as ensuring examples illustrate diverse approaches and avoid privileging outdated or obscure patterns. See API design discussions and documentation standards for broader commentary on these issues.
Copyright, licensing, and attribution also enter the conversation around usage examples in code and documentation. Reproducing code from external sources can raise licensing questions, while providing original, well-explained examples supports legitimate use and learning. See copyright and open source discussions for related considerations, and explore how licenses influence the reuse of example material.