Learn English – Is “bright example” correct

meaning

Can I use "bright example" to mean a good example of something just has been described. For example:

Such devices never work more than a year, my mp3 player is bright example

Best Answer

The phrase “bright example” is certainly used rather commonly in English, but the adjective bright in this case has some meaning of “intelligent” or “morally right”. Typical examples of its use (found using Google Books):

  • Her mother was a devoted Christian, of deep religious experience and strong faith ; a bright example of perseverance in well-doing
  • The public life of Judge Howell presented a bright example of integrity of purpose, sound judgment[…]
  • Let us not be slow in following such a bright example, lest other nations step in and bear away the honor that now awaits this country if she does her duty.

For an adjective without this connotation, I would recommend using an apt example (apt meaning here “appropriate or suitable in the circumstances”). It is widely used:

  • An apt example […] of a designed, non-social order is a machine, while an example […] of an undesigned, non-social order is a biological organism.
  • Feldman's article provides an apt example of virtually all the habits of mind that mark what one might call the postmodern sensibility, combined with self-righteous moralism
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