Exemplet

Exemplet is a term used in linguistics and language pedagogy to denote a compact exemplar sentence or fragment chosen to illustrate a particular linguistic property. It functions as a miniature demonstration that highlights a specific rule, pattern, or constraint in a clear, context-controlled way.

The etymology is informal: the word combines Latin exemplum with a diminutive or suffix -et, suggesting “a small example.” Its exact origin is not standardized across subfields, and the term appears mainly in teaching materials, illustrative texts, and some theoretical discussions as a convenient shorthand for a minimal, unambiguous instance.

In practice, an exemplet should minimize ambiguity and avoid idiomatic readings when the goal is to illustrate a general rule. It is typically selected for grammatical clarity, soliciting a straightforward realization of features such as word order, agreement, tense, negation, or question formation. Exemplets can be used in classroom instruction to foreground a point or in research to contrast structures within a corpus or theoretical framework.

Examples of exemplets might include: “The cat sits on the mat.” (simple present tense and subject–verb agreement) “The dogs run fast.” (plural agreement) “She does not sing.” (negation) “Do you like coffee?” (question formation). See also: exemplar, example sentence, pedagogical example.