a host of instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a host of instances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large number of examples or occurrences of something. Example: "In the study, the researchers found a host of instances where the treatment was effective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In a host of instances documented in news reports and by groups like the Union of Concerned Scientists, candidates have been asked about their politics.

The New York Times

The key ethical lapse lay beyond Mr. Eichenwald's failure to tell his editors about the payment while disclosing a host of instances where he had intervened to assist Mr. Berry with personal problems.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's never good having to reset yourself in a game, and Need For Speed: The Run soon adds a whole host of instances of poor game design.

The Guardian - Tech

The stats on false allegations are hard to nail down for a host of reasons (how, for instance, do you account for women who recant a claim, only to later be vindicated? Or for claims that are never officially filed with the police?), but most estimates peg the number at somewhere between 2percentand10percentcent of total rape cases.

Huffington Post

For instance, a host of cations, such as Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and NH4 + are capable of binding to clay surfaces, giving them different colloidal property [16].

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

In general, cloud infrastructure providers offer a wide range of services with different pricing models, instance types and a host of value-added features.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

For instance, balancedness implies a nonempty core, while convexity implies a host of results, including nice properties of the Shapley value.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

On a host of levels.

The New York Times - Magazine

The announcement raised a host of questions.

The New York Times

There are a host of initiatives.

Independent

There are a host of conditions, however.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a host of instances" when you want to convey that there are numerous examples or occurrences of something, but avoid overuse to maintain a natural writing style.

Common error

Avoid using "a host of instances" repeatedly in a single piece of writing, as it can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms like "numerous examples" or "many cases".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a host of instances" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a large quantity of examples or occurrences. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and shows a consistent usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a host of instances" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to denote numerous examples or occurrences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Although not extremely common, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. For greater impact, consider using synonyms like "numerous examples" or "many cases", and avoid overusing the phrase in the same piece of writing. While generally neutral, its frequent appearance in formal contexts suggests a degree of professional formality. Therefore, use it wisely to enhance your writing's clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Numerous examples

Replaces "host of" with "numerous", indicating a large quantity but potentially in a more formal tone.

Many cases

Uses "cases" instead of "instances", which might be preferred in legal or medical contexts.

A multitude of examples

Substitutes "host of" with "multitude of", emphasizing a great number and creating a slightly more emphatic tone.

A plethora of instances

Replaces "host of" with "plethora of", suggesting an abundance or excessive amount.

A wide array of instances

Emphasizes the variety within the set of instances, rather than just the quantity.

Several occurrences

Uses "occurrences" instead of "instances", focusing on the events or happenings themselves.

Various examples

Highlights the diversity of examples, suggesting they differ from each other.

A great number of instances

More directly states the large quantity, lacking the slightly idiomatic feel of "a host of".

Countless examples

Emphasizes the inability to count the examples, implying a very large number.

A sea of instances

Figurative language implying an overwhelming number of instances.

FAQs

How can I use "a host of instances" in a sentence?

You can use "a host of instances" to indicate a large number of examples or occurrences. For example: "The research revealed "a host of instances" where the new policy improved efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "a host of instances"?

Alternatives include "numerous examples", "many cases", or "a multitude of examples", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a host of instances" in formal writing?

Yes, "a host of instances" is generally appropriate for formal writing, although alternatives like "numerous examples" might be preferred for a more strictly professional tone.

What's the difference between "a host of instances" and "a couple of instances"?

"A host of instances" indicates a large number, while "a couple of instances" indicates a small number, typically two.