a characteristic instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a characteristic instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a typical example or representation of a particular quality or feature. Example: "The study provided a characteristic instance of how climate change affects local ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's not true for computer-mediated communication, he said, which has a characteristic fluidity reflected, for instance, in Web pages that change or in e-mail that is cut and pasted to create a new message.

The New York Times - Tech

For instance, a characteristic "Y" shaped agar invasion was observed on the bottom of the glucose plates (Fig.  2-b).

BMC Genomics

In this instance, a characteristic rim of microvessels is formed around the ducts that are filled with proliferating epithelial cells [ 2].

Breast Cancer Research

For instance, a characteristic stimulus-response learning paradigm proceeds as follows: (1) a stimulus is presented and participants decide amongst the possible responses, (2) feedback pertaining to the accuracy of the response is given, through which the association is learned.

Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology

In many instances, a characteristic that increases a population's risk for morbidity or mortality due to exposure to an air pollutant (e.g., PM) cannot be easily categorized as solely a susceptibility or vulnerability factor due to their overlapping nature, which contributes to the complexity surrounding these concepts.

Environmental Health Perspectives

A universal is an abstraction, a characteristic that may reappear in various instances: the number three, for example, or the triangularity that all triangles have in common.

Britannica

For example, some product characteristics (color, for instance) have a strong dependent relationship with a characteristic of the environment (the user's gender, for example).

Harvard Business Review

The same features that are characteristic, for instance, of numerical calculation e.g., articulateness can be found in musical scores, and the same features that could be called aesthetic such as exemplification can be found in scientific hypotheses as well.

SEP

In particular, they will enable one to investigate how the characteristics of an instance affect its performance.

European Journal of Operational Research

Another limitation of the study was the small number of participants who had some of the studied characteristics, for instance we could not have an accurate assessment of the association of maternal perception of DFM with oligohydramnios.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

If the Form of Man not only fully expresses the characteristic of "what-it-is-to-be-a-man" (say "humanity"), but also is a perfect instance of that characteristic (i.e. the "Form-of-Man" is a man), more perfect than any physical man, then it would seem that there must be a resemblance between the Form of Man and the physical copy of that form (which are both "men").

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a characteristic instance" when you want to highlight a particular example that clearly demonstrates a specific quality or feature. This phrase is suitable for formal and academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a characteristic instance" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a typical example" or "a good example" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a characteristic instance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it identifies an example that clearly demonstrates a particular quality or feature.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a characteristic instance" is a noun phrase used to denote a specific example that clearly demonstrates a particular quality or feature. While grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in scientific, news, and academic writing, lending itself to a formal and precise register. For less formal contexts, consider alternatives like "a typical example" or "a prime example". When employing this phrase, ensure that the instance genuinely represents the characteristic you intend to highlight for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical example

Replaces "characteristic" with "typical", focusing on representativeness.

a prime example

Substitutes "characteristic" with "prime", emphasizing excellence and suitability.

a notable example

Replaces "characteristic" with "notable", highlighting significance and prominence.

a representative case

Changes the structure to focus on the case being representative.

a classic instance

Uses "classic" instead of "characteristic", suggesting a well-known or standard example.

a telling example

Emphasizes that the example is revealing or informative.

a striking instance

Highlights the impressiveness or unusual nature of the instance.

a textbook example

Suggests that the example is so clear it could be used in education.

a perfect illustration

Replaces "instance" with "illustration", emphasizing clarity and demonstration.

a common occurrence

Shifts the focus to how often the instance happens, rather than its characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "a characteristic instance" in a sentence?

You can use "a characteristic instance" to introduce an example that clearly demonstrates a particular trait or quality. For example, "The study provided "a characteristic instance" of how climate change affects local ecosystems."

What phrases are similar to "a characteristic instance"?

Similar phrases include "a typical example", "a prime example", or "a notable example". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a characteristic instance" formal or informal?

"A characteristic instance" is generally considered a formal phrase. For more informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "a good example" or "a typical case".

What is the difference between "a characteristic instance" and "a typical instance"?

While both phrases refer to examples, "a characteristic instance" emphasizes the specific quality being demonstrated, whereas "a typical instance" simply highlights that the example is representative. Therefore, "a typical instance" serves as a general example, while "a characteristic instance" is more specific.