a fascinating instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fascinating instance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a particular example or occurrence that is interesting or captivating. Example: "The study presented a fascinating instance of how social behavior can change in response to environmental factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's a fascinating instance of a film-maker understanding the precise nature of celebrity and using it to his advantage with clinical precision.

The Guardian - Film

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's airborne trio Qutb sees Osipova's exceptional suppleness and strength pitted against two other men; the evening is a fascinating instance of ballet dancers who are willing to perform outside the box.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A fascinating illustration, too.

The New York Times

Animals do have culture, maintains this delightfully illustrated and provocative book, which cites a number of fascinating instances of animal communication and learning.

Princeton University

From an evolutionary viewpoint, among the most fascinating instances of domestication is the dog.

Behavioral Ecology

And yet the monsters among the flowers constitute one of the most fascinating instances of public sculpture in Britain.

The Guardian - Arts

"Tombstone" also presents fascinating instances in which local officials ignored or reversed orders from the central government, improvising policies of their own.

The New Yorker

Hussey includes, for instance, a fascinating short chapter on European homosexuals and their exploitation of Arab youths in "Queer Tangier", being careful to provide the youths' own perspective.

The Guardian - Books

RapMetrics, for instance, is a fascinating project by a chemical-engineering student named Liban Ali Yusuf; it is both a rhyming dictionary and a source of more-provocative analytical projects.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is a fascinating study embedded here, for instance, of the economy of migration: what it costs to charter an inflatable Zodiac versus a fishing boat, to bribe a policeman in Niger or customs agent in Egypt, to buy a lifejacket in Izmir.

The Guardian - Books

This charming lad has installed every version of Windows from 1.0 to Vista inside a VMWare instance, offering us a fascinating look at Windows versions since the early 1990s.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase, ensure that the instance genuinely warrants the adjective 'fascinating'. Overusing the term can diminish its impact and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a fascinating instance" when describing something that is only mildly interesting or commonplace. Reserve it for examples that truly stand out due to their uniqueness, complexity, or impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fascinating instance" functions as a noun phrase, where 'fascinating' modifies 'instance'. The phrase typically introduces a specific example or occurrence that is notably interesting or remarkable. Ludwig AI highlights examples from diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fascinating instance" is a useful phrase for introducing examples that are particularly interesting or noteworthy. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and is most commonly used in news, academic and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the instance truly warrants the descriptor 'fascinating' to maintain credibility and avoid overuse. Consider alternatives such as "an "intriguing example"" or "a "remarkable occurrence"" to vary your language. Remember that selecting a truly captivating example amplifies the effect of this phrase. Ludwig is here to help guide you toward using strong language with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intriguing example

Replaces "fascinating" with "intriguing", suggesting something that provokes curiosity.

a captivating case

Substitutes "fascinating" with "captivating", emphasizing the ability to hold attention and interest.

a remarkable occurrence

Replaces "fascinating" with "remarkable", highlighting the unusual or noteworthy nature of the event.

a noteworthy event

Emphasizes the importance and deserving of attention of the instance.

a compelling illustration

Focuses on the power of the instance to convince or evoke interest.

a curious incident

Highlights the odd or strange aspect of the instance.

an interesting development

Focuses on the progressive or unfolding nature of the instance.

an exceptional demonstration

Replaces "fascinating" with "exceptional", which suggests a deviation from the norm.

a unique situation

Highlights the distinctive character of the instance.

an uncommon happening

Underlines the unusual or infrequent nature of the occurrence.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fascinating instance" to introduce an example that is particularly interesting or noteworthy. For example, "The study provides "a fascinating instance" of how cultural norms can influence economic behavior".

What are some alternatives to using "a fascinating instance"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "an "intriguing example"", "a "captivating case"", or "a "remarkable occurrence"".

Is it appropriate to use "a fascinating instance" in formal writing?

Yes, "a fascinating instance" is suitable for formal writing, especially when introducing a compelling example. However, ensure the instance truly warrants the descriptor to maintain credibility.

What makes an instance "fascinating"?

An instance can be considered "fascinating" if it is particularly unique, complex, thought-provoking, or illustrative of a broader phenomenon. The key is that it should capture the reader's attention and spark curiosity.