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Prepositions with exemplar

Exemplar of, for, in or to?

Exemplar is most commonly followed by of to identify what something represents. For can describe a model intended for a group or purpose. In and to are usually separate parts of the sentence, not fixed combinations with exemplar.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with exemplar?

Use exemplar of to mean a perfect example of something. Exemplar for is possible when describing a model or standard for people or situations. Exemplar in and exemplar to are usually not standard fixed combinations.

She is an exemplar of professional integrity.
The school became an exemplar for other institutions.
He was praised as an exemplar of calm leadership.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
exemplar of + quality/group

Showing what something perfectly represents

Use of after exemplar to name the quality, behaviour, or category represented.

The scientist was an exemplar of careful research.
This building is an exemplar of modern design.
2
exemplar for + person/group

Naming who can learn from the example

Use for when the exemplar serves as a model for others.

The project became an exemplar for future startups.
She remains an exemplar for young athletes.
3
exemplar in + field

Using in as a separate field or context phrase

In can describe the area where someone is an exemplar, but it is not a fixed preposition selected by exemplar.

He is an exemplar in finance across the region.
They became exemplars in education reform.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
exemplar of
She is an exemplar of patience.
the clearest and most standard way to show what quality or type is represented
exemplar for
The programme is an exemplar for community projects.
shows who can use the example or model
exemplar in
He is an exemplar in public service.
in introduces the field or area, not a fixed complement
exemplar to
The phrase exemplar to students is uncommon; exemplar for students is more natural.
to is generally not idiomatic after exemplar in this meaning

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using to instead of for

After exemplar, for is more natural when naming who benefits from the example.

✕ an exemplar to new teachers ✓ an exemplar for new teachers

Confusing of and for

Of names the quality represented; for names the audience or purpose.

✕ an exemplar for honesty ✓ an exemplar of honesty

Treating in as a fixed complement

In usually introduces a field or context, not a required preposition after exemplar.

✓ an exemplar of discipline in sport

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She became an ___ leadership during the crisis.
2. The charity serves as an ___ local organisations.
3. He is an exemplar ___ academic research.

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Frequently asked questions

Is exemplar of the most common pattern?

Yes. Exemplar of is the standard way to describe a perfect example of a quality or type.

Can I say exemplar for?

Yes. Use exemplar for when something serves as a model for people, organisations, or activities.

Is exemplar to correct?

It is uncommon in modern English for this meaning. Exemplar for is usually more natural.

eager-for-to-in-about, on "early in", "early on" or "early for"? earnest in, with, on, for or at? easy for, on, in, to or with? "economical with" or "economical in"? "ecstatic about" or "ecstatic with"? "effective in", "effective at" or "effective for"? "efficient in" or "efficient at"? elderly in, with, at, of or as? elegant in, with, of, as or to? eligible for, to, in or under? "embarrassed by" or "embarrassed about"?

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