a few instances

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few instances" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a small number of occurrences or examples, generally fewer than five. Example: I have encountered a few instances of cheating in my class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a few instances, countries combined.

The New York Times

We report only a few instances.

The New York Times

I will give a few instances.

The New York Times

A few instances of minor civil disobedience.

The Guardian

In a few instances, it's true.

The Guardian

In a few instances, the lights turned red.

Stanford University

In a few instances yes, but nothing too grisly.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In all but a few instances the works are recent.

The New York Times

"It's not just a few instances, it's a real issue".

The New York Times

But in a few instances, the process made beneficial traits.

The New York Times - Science

In a few instances they have filed suits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few instances" when you want to indicate that something has happened a small number of times, without being too precise about the exact quantity. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a few instances" as a vague placeholder without providing sufficient detail or examples. Always ensure the reader understands what you're referring to and why those instances are significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few instances" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, specifying a small quantity of occurrences or examples. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and widely used. It serves to quantify the number of times something has happened.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few instances" is a versatile phrase used to denote a small number of occurrences across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. As evidenced by the Ludwig examples, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic domains, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, remember to provide sufficient context to ensure clarity and avoid vagueness. Consider related alternatives such as "a small number of cases" or "on rare occasions" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number of cases

Replaces "instances" with "cases", maintaining the idea of specific occurrences but with slightly different wording.

a handful of situations

Substitutes "few" with "handful" and "instances" with "situations", emphasizing a small, manageable quantity of events.

a limited number of times

Focuses on frequency rather than specific events, replacing "instances" with "times" and adding "limited number of".

in several isolated examples

Emphasizes the separate nature of the occurrences by adding "isolated" and changing "few" to "several".

on rare occasions

Highlights the infrequency of the events, using "rare occasions" instead of directly referencing a specific number of instances.

in some exceptional circumstances

Suggests that the events are unusual or out of the ordinary, shifting the focus from quantity to the nature of the circumstances.

a scattering of occurrences

Uses a more descriptive term, "scattering", to depict a small, dispersed number of events.

in a minority of situations

Shifts the perspective to indicate that the instances are not the norm, using "minority of situations".

in several select cases

Implies that the instances are carefully chosen or specific, adding a layer of selection to the occurrences.

a sparse number of events

Emphasizes the infrequency and limited quantity of the occurrences by using "sparse number of events".

FAQs

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

You can use "a few instances" to indicate that something has occurred a small number of times. For example, "There have been "a few instances" of miscommunication within the team lately".

What are some alternatives to saying "a few instances"?

You can use alternatives like "a small number of cases", "a handful of situations", or "on rare occasions" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "a few instances" or "some instances"?

"A few instances" and "some instances" are both generally acceptable in formal and informal writing. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "A few instances" implies a smaller, more limited number than "some instances".

When is it appropriate to use "a few instances" in academic writing?

It's appropriate to use "a few instances" in academic writing when you want to acknowledge that something has happened more than once, but not frequently enough to be considered a common occurrence. Be sure to provide supporting evidence or examples to strengthen your point.