a passing instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passing instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a brief or fleeting occurrence of something. Example: "During our conversation, she mentioned a passing instance of her travels that intrigued me."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is more than a passing instance of the perennial friction between academia and society.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Slight and precocious, the symphony was notable mainly for its passing instances of subtly contrasted dynamics, keenly represented here with precise, lively playing.

The New York Times - Arts

Thus when an appointed elector fails to appear at the appointed place time in December, due to sickness, in capacity, or death, it is not unusual to find someone in the hallway, even a passing janitor in one instance, to enter the voting room and cast the electoral vote in accordance with the slate elected by the people.

Huffington Post

But giving Santorum a pass in this instance masks a larger point.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is therefore possible to pass an instance of an interpreter for a respective model description format to any available solver.

BMC Systems Biology

Evaluation of the above data, along with assessment of longitudinal placement and number of multiple-pass instances between the groups, was evaluated using a χ test.

Critical Care

Any extra functionality will have to come from passing an instance of the object into a method, a.k.a. the Adaptor pattern.

The Guardian

To make a prediction, an instance is passed to individual decision trees and their predictions are combined by voting [ 41].

BMC Genomics

They can add applications to any object, even ones that are pre-programmed (such as Ztamped Books) or designed for a specific use, such as a bus pass – for instance, this could be used to read the weather forecast or bus arrival time before you leave the house, while also wishing you a nice day in the voice of a loved one and reminding you to pick up stuff from the dry cleaner's.

TechCrunch

Such alarms might trigger gates to close roads on a mountain pass, for instance, or alert search and rescue teams.

The New York Times - Tech

If it sifts through your email and happens upon a boarding pass for instance, you'll only see it once you're actually within range of the airport you'll need to use it in.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passing instance" to describe something that happens briefly and is not of major importance. This phrase can add a touch of understated elegance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a passing instance" when describing significant or critical events. This phrase downplays importance, so reserve it for truly minor occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passing instance" functions as a noun phrase, where "passing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "instance". Ludwig confirms its usage in describing brief or fleeting occurrences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a passing instance" is a phrase used to describe something that occurs briefly and is not of great significance. Ludwig highlights that the phrase is grammatically sound, although relatively rare. Its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When writing, remember that "a passing instance" implies a lack of importance, so reserve its use for minor or fleeting occurrences, as it is also highlighted in the Writing Guidance section.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief occurrence

Emphasizes the short duration of the event or situation.

a fleeting moment

Highlights the transient nature of the instance.

a momentary case

Focuses on the singularity and brevity of the example.

a transient event

Stresses the temporary quality of the occurrence.

a quick episode

Highlights the speed and limited scope of the event.

a short-lived instance

Explicitly states that the occurrence did not last long.

a temporary situation

Indicates that the described state is not permanent.

a casual occurrence

Downplays the significance or impact of the event.

an incidental example

Suggests that the instance is not central to the main topic.

a chance happening

Implies that the instance was unplanned or coincidental.

FAQs

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

You can use "a passing instance" to describe something that occurs briefly or incidentally. For example: "During the lecture, there was "a passing instance" of technical difficulty, but it was quickly resolved."

What are some alternatives to "a passing instance"?

Some alternatives include "a brief occurrence", "a fleeting moment", or "a momentary case", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a passing instance" formal or informal?

"A passing instance" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in written language.

What's the difference between "a passing instance" and "a significant event"?

"A passing instance" refers to something brief and relatively unimportant, while "a significant event" describes something that has a notable impact or importance.