a brutal instance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brutal instance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific occurrence or example of something that is harsh, violent, or severe. Example: "The report detailed a brutal instance of animal cruelty that shocked the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Setting former comrades against one another, it was a brutal instance of the enmity of small differences.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If this was an especially brutal instance of an airline mistreating a paying customer, it was also a reminder of the everyday absurdity of how air travel works.

Vice

Sarah Reed's case is just the most brutal instance of what happens when people who need psychiatric are put in prisons that are not there to help people, they are there to punish people.

The Guardian

Challenged over the shocking images published in the Sunday People, Saatchi responded that what appeared to be a brutal and humiliating instance of public violence was no more than a "playful tiff".

The Guardian

Long after DNA evidence had proven New York's Central Park 5 did not commit a brutal rape, for instance, Trump continued to publicly declare they must be guilty of something and needed to be punished anyway.

Huffington Post

P.C.P., a brutal form of pneumonia, strangled their breathing.

The New York Times

Layoffs are a brutal reality of corporate America.

The New York Times

"Just a brutal test of golf," Jamie Donaldson said.

The New York Times

It was only after a brutal episode of hyperinflation that a comprehensive reform process was adopted (see, among others, Acuña et al. 2007).

Latin American Economic Review

Broad-daylight shootouts and instances of bodies dumped on roadsides have diminished, but few are fully confident that the Knights won't return and unleash a brutal wave of revenge killings.

Los Angeles Times

He committed a brutal act of terrorism.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a brutal instance of", ensure that the context clearly establishes the type of event or situation being described. This helps emphasize the severity and impact of the instance.

Common error

Avoid using "a brutal instance of" in situations where the severity is not genuinely high. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for genuinely shocking or severe cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brutal instance of" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It describes a specific occurrence or example characterized by harshness or violence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brutal instance of" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the shocking and severe nature of a specific event. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in English. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, highlighting instances of violence or extreme cruelty. While grammatically sound, it's best reserved for situations where the severity is genuinely high to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives like ""a savage example of"" or ""a cruel manifestation of"" can offer nuanced variations. Use "a brutal instance of" thoughtfully to underscore the gravity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a savage example of

Replaces "brutal" with "savage", emphasizing a more primal or unrestrained form of cruelty.

a cruel manifestation of

Substitutes "instance" with "manifestation", highlighting how something abstract becomes apparent in a cruel way.

a harsh demonstration of

Emphasizes the unforgiving nature of the event, replacing "brutal" with "harsh" and "instance" with "demonstration".

a severe case of

Focuses on the intensity and gravity of the situation, using "severe" instead of "brutal" and "case" instead of "instance".

an egregious display of

Highlights the shocking and conspicuously bad nature of the event, replacing "brutal" with "egregious" and "instance" with "display".

a glaring illustration of

Replaces "instance" with "illustration", emphasizing how something serves as a clear example of brutality.

a shocking occurrence of

Swaps "brutal" with "shocking", underlining the surprise and dismay caused by the event.

an extreme example of

Replaces "brutal" with "extreme", denoting the event as being far from the norm.

a ruthless exhibition of

Highlights the merciless aspect, using "ruthless" in place of "brutal" and "exhibition" instead of "instance".

a callous display of

Focuses on the lack of empathy involved, substituting "brutal" with "callous" and "instance" with "display".

FAQs

How can I use "a brutal instance of" in a sentence?

You can use "a brutal instance of" to describe a specific event that exemplifies harshness or violence. For example, "The report detailed "a brutal instance of" police brutality during the protests."

What are some alternatives to using "a brutal instance of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a savage example of", "a cruel manifestation of", or "a severe case of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a brutal instance of" formal or informal?

The phrase "a brutal instance of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in news reporting and analytical writing.

What makes "a brutal instance of" different from "a harsh example of"?

"Brutal" implies extreme violence or cruelty, while "harsh" suggests severity or unpleasantness. "A brutal instance of" is more appropriate when describing events involving physical violence or extreme cruelty, whereas "a harsh example of" might describe unfair treatment or difficult conditions.