In certain instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In certain instances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something applies only in specific situations or cases. Example: "In certain instances, the rules may be relaxed to accommodate special circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In certain instances two or more catalysts present at the same time produce effects greater than either would produce alone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In certain instances, the waves even propagate unidirectionally.

Composites Science and Technology

In certain instances, phase segregation was found to favor plane stress fracture resistance.

Polymer

In certain instances, these properties were validated in small animal studies (i.e. hypotensive effects).

Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies

In certain instances this included treatment as advised by a Covance veterinary surgeon.

Clinical Phytoscience

In certain instances, we were divided into groups and asked to debate the different sides of a topic.

Science Magazine

In certain instances, interactive effects of temperature and salinity were large enough to confound interpretation of field data.

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

In certain instances, that might be true.

Huffington Post

In certain instances, people identify themselves as such.

Huffington Post

In certain instances, they come about spontaneously when one artist mentions the idea to another.

Huffington Post

In certain instances, in vitro differentiated hESCs can be integrated and become functional in transplantation experiments [3], [4].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in certain instances" to introduce exceptions or specific conditions to a general statement. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in certain instances" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Try to use more specific language to describe the conditions or situations you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in certain instances" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the conditions under which the action or statement is true. As shown in Ludwig, it specifies that something applies only in particular situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "in certain instances" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to qualify a statement, indicating that it applies only under specific conditions. According to Ludwig AI, its purpose is to provide precision and avoid overgeneralization. While it can be found across different writing styles, it is more prevalent in science, news, and encyclopedic contexts. To enhance your writing, use this phrase when exceptions or specific conditions need emphasis, but avoid overuse to maintain clarity. Alternatives such as "in some cases" or "under certain circumstances" can provide variety. Overall, understanding the function and appropriate usage of "in certain instances" will contribute to more accurate and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In some cases

Replaces 'certain instances' with 'some cases', indicating a less specific qualification.

In specific situations

Uses 'situations' instead of 'instances', highlighting particular scenarios.

Under certain circumstances

Replaces 'instances' with 'circumstances', emphasizing the surrounding conditions.

In select situations

Highlights the selectivity of the situations where something applies.

On occasion

Substitutes the entire phrase with a single adverb implying occasional occurrence.

Where applicable

Offers a concise alternative focusing on the phrase's conditional nature.

Occasionally

A single word replacement indicating infrequent occurrence.

From time to time

Emphasizes the intermittent occurrence of the event.

At times

A shorter, more informal way to convey occasional occurrence.

Now and then

Similar to 'at times', indicating something happens periodically but not frequently.

FAQs

How can I use "in certain instances" in a sentence?

The phrase "in certain instances" is used to indicate that something is true or applicable only under specific conditions or in particular situations. For example, "In certain instances, the rules may be relaxed".

What are some alternatives to "in certain instances"?

You can use alternatives like "in some cases", "under certain circumstances", or "occasionally" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "in certain instances" or "in most cases"?

The choice between "in certain instances" and "in most cases" depends on whether you want to emphasize exceptions or common occurrences. Use "in certain instances" when highlighting specific exceptions, and "in most cases" when describing a general trend with possible deviations.

What's the difference between "in certain instances" and "sometimes"?

"In certain instances" implies that there are specific conditions that determine when something happens, while "sometimes" simply indicates that it occurs occasionally without specifying the conditions.