a common instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a frequently occurring example or situation in a particular context. Example: "In many urban areas, a common instance of traffic congestion occurs during rush hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Each "OUTi" is checked to find out a common instance present in all outlier arrays.

Journal of Big Data

A common instance where people assume they're covered, but they're not, is if there's a large or total loss of their home and new building codes drives up the cost of building a replacement.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A famous example of a pair of formulas that have no common instance is A → A and A → A → B.

SEP

That might have been the end of Charles' story, a far too common instance of NYPD harassing people of color in high crime neighborhoods, were it not for a class action lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union claiming the New York Police Department had acted with "deliberate indifference" to scores of wrongful arrest complaints by residents and guests of Clean Halls building.

Vice

She noted that there was one other common instance in which an American's name would be included: "If it's evidence of a crime".

The New Yorker

The key to the applicability of detachment is to find a common substitution instance of the minor premise and of the antecedent of the major premise.

SEP

These are of course statistically principled, but in practice the metric can explode at the extremes: the most common instance is for binomial data with 0% or 100% accuracy (i.e., the extremes of a nice psychometric function).

eLife

10 25–27 The Beers criteria have also been criticised for not being sufficiently inclusive of a number of common instances of PIP. 6 15 In particular, Beers only lists drugs to avoid, but does not include other categories of PIP, such as drug drug and drug disease interactions, drug duplications or underuse and overuse of medications.

BMJ Open

26 29 They have also been criticised for not being sufficiently inclusive of a number of common instances of PIP. 8 17 In particular, Beers only lists drugs to avoid, but does not include other categories of PIP, such as drug drug and drug disease interactions, drug duplications or underuse and overuse of medications.

BMJ Open

Clean air is a commons, an instance of market failure, dependent on government protection for its existence; farming is part of a market.

The New Yorker

Each line represents the percentage of common instances for a given pair of strategies (dc-c, dc-ff, c-ff).

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common instance" when you want to refer to an event, situation or example that occurs frequently or is widely recognized. It adds a layer of formality to your writing.

Common error

While "a common instance" is correct, consider whether a simpler phrase like "a typical example" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common instance" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. Ludwig examples showcase its use to introduce familiar or recurring situations. This follows standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common instance" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to introduce a typical or frequent occurrence. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is relatively formal, suitable for scientific writing, news reports, or formal business communication. While correct, writers should consider whether a simpler alternative such as "a typical example" or "a frequent occurrence" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical case

Replaces "instance" with "case", emphasizing a specific occurrence that is representative of others.

a frequent example

Substitutes "common" with "frequent" and "instance" with "example", highlighting the regularity of the occurrence.

a usual occurrence

Replaces "common instance" with "usual occurrence", focusing on the habitual nature of the event.

a regular event

Changes "common instance" to "regular event", indicating a predictable and recurring incident.

a prevalent situation

Replaces "common instance" with "prevalent situation", emphasizing the widespread nature of the scenario.

a widespread phenomenon

Changes the phrase to highlight a phenomenon that is broadly observed.

a typical scenario

Focuses on a scenario that is representative and often encountered.

a routine matter

Indicates something that is handled as part of a normal procedure.

a familiar sight

Highlights something that is frequently seen or experienced.

a general pattern

Refers to a recognized and repeated sequence or form.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common instance" to introduce a typical or frequent example. For example: "A common instance of traffic congestion is during rush hour."

What are some alternatives to "a common instance"?

Some alternatives include "a typical example", "a frequent occurrence", or "a usual case" depending on the specific context.

Is "a common instance" formal or informal?

"A common instance" is generally considered more formal. In more casual contexts, you might prefer "a typical example" or "a usual situation".

What's the difference between "a common instance" and "a common example"?

While both phrases are similar, "a common instance" often refers to a specific occurrence or situation, whereas "a common example" usually refers to a general illustration or model.