a physical instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a physical instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a tangible example or occurrence of something, particularly in contexts like computing, science, or philosophy. Example: "In the context of virtual reality, a physical instance of the environment can enhance the user's experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This frustration yielded the construction of the torsos into a physical instance where we were like, okay fine, we're working with high-end software that allowed us to create spatial complexity be aren't able to produce them.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In some cases, this leads to annotated enzymes or entries in the KGML, for which no physical instance in the current organism of interest is known.

BMC Systems Biology

For instance, a physical distance of almost 10 Mb of rice chromosome Os02 (position 8.5 Mb – 18.2 Mb) corresponded to a small interval of barley Hv6H at approximately 53 – 60 cM.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The nonaffine treatment is really important since many problems involving more complex geometrical parametrizations and/or more complex physical instances (that is, non-homogeneous or non-isotropic properties in materials) are hold by nonaffine parametric dependence.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

These referenced pathway maps are no physical instances and thus need to be ignored for some model simulation software.

BMC Systems Biology

Furthermore, for the metabolic translations, all nodes that do not correspond to physical instances of compounds or gene products were removed (i.e., pathway-reference nodes).

BMC Systems Biology

As a consequence of the inherent stochastic variability of the behavior of state variables, experimental time-series data obtained from individual biomolecular reaction systems (vesicles in this example) represent single physical instances of the system under investigation.

BMC Systems Biology

A mathematical model of a physical theory, for instance, may contain only real numbers and sets of real numbers, even though the theory itself concerns, say, subatomic particles and regions of space-time.

SEP

On the one hand there are individuals who have a physical problem (for instance hypertension) they are aware of and receive treatment for and on the other, there are individuals whose physical ailment is discovered during the admission for treatment of another disorder.

BMC Health Services Research

But the dominant view today would appear to be that if the mind is a substance at all, it is a physical substance the brain, for instance.

SEP

Something real happened to them, but it was not a physical reality — nor, for instance, was Paul's conversion a physical event, even though it changed his life and those of countless after him.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a physical instance" when you want to emphasize the tangible and real-world existence of something, particularly in contrast to a virtual or theoretical concept.

Common error

Avoid using "a physical instance" when a simpler term like "example" or "case" would suffice. Overusing abstract language can make your writing seem unnecessarily complex and less clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a physical instance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a tangible or concrete example of something, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

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 physical instance" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a tangible or concrete example of something. As indicated by Ludwig, it appears in both scientific and general media contexts, suggesting a register ranging from neutral to formal. It's most effective when emphasizing the real-world presence of something, contrasting it with abstract or virtual notions. Using simpler terms may result in a greater clarity and comprehensibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tangible example

Focuses on the tangibility and representational aspect, omitting the term 'instance'.

a concrete example

Emphasizes the solidity and reality of the example, similar to 'tangible'.

a real-world occurrence

Highlights that the instance is happening in the real world.

a specific case

Focuses on a particular situation or example.

a particular manifestation

Replaces 'instance' with 'manifestation', suggesting a visible form or appearance.

a physical embodiment

Highlights the physical form or representation of something abstract.

a material representation

Emphasizes the physical or material nature of the representation.

a tangible representation

It blends the concepts of tangibility and representation.

a physical manifestation

Highlights the physical nature of something becoming apparent.

a realized version

Implies that something conceptual has been brought into reality.

FAQs

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

You can use "a physical instance" to refer to a tangible example of something. For example: "The sculpture is "a physical instance" of the artist's vision."

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

While both phrases refer to something real and touchable, "a physical instance" emphasizes the particular occurrence or realization of something, while "a tangible example" stresses its concreteness and demonstrative nature.

When is it appropriate to use "a physical instance" instead of just "an example"?

Use "a physical instance" when you want to emphasize that the example is not just a concept but something with a tangible, real-world presence. For example, when contrasting a digital model with "a physical prototype".

What are some alternatives to "a physical instance" that maintain a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "a concrete example", "a tangible representation", or "a real-world occurrence". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect you want to emphasize.