The History of for example and for instance as Markers of Exemplification, Selection and Argumentation (1600-1999)

This article analyses the use of example markers for and instance in exemplifying, selective argumentative constructions. Of these three uses, exemplification—twofold sequences with a first general unit or hyperonym second more specific item hyponym—has received recurrent attention literature, whereas selection—constructions where element is omitted—and argumentation—the to connect whole chunks discourse—have long been ignored. The present study, using data from ARCHER 3.2, shows that uses have coexisted since at least half seventeenth century argumentation prevails both British American English. Moreover, are very productive certain genres, such as science, sermons advertising. Additionally, even though primary function introduce their scope domain, they developed different pragmatic values bring them closer category discourse markers. Thus, example, mitigators makes an optimal tool smoothing interaction hence reducing risk offending our interlocutor.