At every instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At every instance" is not correct in standard English; the correct phrase is "At every instance" or "In every instance." You can use it when referring to each occurrence or situation in which something happens.
Example: "At every instance of failure, we learned valuable lessons that helped us improve."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"At every instance we can, my husband celebrates me and I return the support.

Huffington Post

At every instance, our results are the first ones beginning to sort out a presumed physiological function of Dpl.

Plosone

At every instance in time, the brain generates new M1 states, the IA selects actions, and the Critic estimates the action outcome based on the representation of reward expectation in NAcc.

Plosone

Mr. del Missier said he was looking "to ensure that we continue to exceed our customers' and clients' expectations at every instance, while delivering on our commitments to our shareholders, regulators and broader stakeholders".

The New York Times

"Those needs guide what each worker will do at every instance".

BBC

This navigation algorithm requires knowledge of the accurate state of the robot at every instance (i.e. position, orientation, linear and angular velocity).

Biosystems Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Oldman, Hardy, Finney, and the rest of the team are stalwart and assiduous in their care for detail, and what they arrive at, in every instance, is far more than a mere impersonation.

The New Yorker

Although COACH provided a prompt for her to do so at almost every instance, she ignored these prompts and would only respond to verbal prompts from a human caregiver.

BMC Geriatrics

Since our agency isn't at risk with every instance of instrumental incoherence, this account won't yield a reason to be instrumentally coherent on every particular occasion; it would only provide a reason to do so when one's incoherence is extreme enough to threaten one's status as an agent).

SEP

Whether that happened in every instance at Westland/Hallmark is at issue.

The New York Times

In nearly every instance at the 3- and 7-day intervals, mRNA expression on the protruded side compared with age-matched controls was altered in the opposite direction from the nonprotruded side.

American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check whether "in" or "at" is the correct preposition to use in a given context. While "at every instance" is often used, "in every instance" is the grammatically preferred form. Consider using alternative phrases like "every time" or "in each case" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "at every instance" without verifying its correctness in your specific context. "In every instance" is typically the more accurate choice. If unsure, opt for alternatives like "every time" or "in each case" to prevent grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At every instance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when or under what circumstances an action occurs. However, as Ludwig AI suggests, the preposition "in" is more appropriate in this context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "At every instance" is used, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "in every instance". As Ludwig AI points out, it is an adverbial phrase used to emphasize the consistency of an action or event. It appears frequently in scientific and news contexts. For formal writing, it is best to use the grammatically correct "in every instance" or consider alternatives such as "every time" or "in each case" to ensure clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In every case

Emphasizes a consistent outcome or situation across all scenarios.

In each instance

Synonymous, but slightly more formal.

Every time

Focuses on the temporal aspect of recurrence.

Each and every time

Emphasizes the completeness of the repetition.

Without exception

Highlights the absence of any deviation from a rule or pattern.

At all times

Implies continuous occurrence.

Consistently

An adverb emphasizing a regular pattern.

Invariably

Highlights the unchanging nature of the occurrence.

On every occasion

Focuses on the situational aspect of recurrence.

In all situations

Emphasizes the broad applicability across different contexts.

FAQs

Is "at every instance" grammatically correct?

According to standard English grammar, "in every instance" is the correct phrase. While "at every instance" is sometimes used, it is generally considered incorrect.

What does "at every instance" mean?

The phrase "at every instance" (or, more correctly, "in every instance") refers to each and every occurrence or situation. It implies that something happens consistently across all cases.

What can I say instead of "at every instance"?

You can use alternatives like "in every case", "every time", or "on every occasion" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "at every instance" and "in every instance"?

Yes, "in every instance" is the grammatically correct phrase, while "at every instance" is generally considered an error. While the intended meaning is often clear in both cases, "in every instance" is the preferred choice for formal writing.