For instance vs Like what

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

For instance

Top 2,000 (common)

Like what

Informal Top 3,000 (common)

Most formal: For instance Most common: For instance

	For instance	Like what
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //fɔːr ˈɪn.stəns// 🇺🇸 //fɔr ˈɪn.stəns//	🇬🇧 //laɪk wɒt// 🇺🇸 //laɪk wɑt//
Meaning	For example	Used to ask for more information or clarification.
Example	You can learn a lot from books, for instance, history books.	I'm working on a project. Like what are you doing specifically?
Register	Neutral	Informal
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 3,000 (common)
Collocations	for instance, consider, for instance, look at, for instance, such as, for instance, you might, for instance, this includes	like what kinds, like what examples, like what activities
Common mistakes	'For instance' is often confused with 'for example', but both are acceptable., Learners sometimes omit commas before or after 'for instance'., Use with complete sentences; avoid fragments.	Using it in formal writing., Confusing it with similar phrases like 'such as'., Not following it with an explanation or example.
Usage notes	Use 'for instance' to introduce examples in writing or speech. It's versatile but may sound more formal than 'for example'. Avoid using it in casual texts.	"Like what" is commonly used in casual conversations when someone wants examples or details. It can sound abrupt if used in formal situations.

See it in real clips

Top Gear › S1 E1

for instance, these days they go

Breaking Bad › S1 E2

For instance...

Top Gear › S1 E1

for instance, these days they go

Breaking Bad › S1 E2

For instance...

For instance

House Of Dragons › S1 E1

Like what?

Like what

Frequently asked questions: For instance vs Like what

What's the difference between For instance and Like what?

For instance: For example Like what: Used to ask for more information or clarification.

Which is more formal: For instance and Like what?

For instance is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: For instance and Like what?

For instance is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

For instance: You can learn a lot from books, for instance, history books. Like what: I'm working on a project. Like what are you doing specifically?

Can I use For instance and Like what interchangeably?

Not always. For instance and Like what are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.