a previous instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a previous instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an earlier occurrence or example of something that has happened before. Example: "In a previous instance, we encountered similar challenges that required innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Lombardi was referring to a previous instance in which Scalfari wrote up an encounter with Francis last October, which the Vatican later claimed was not altogether accurate.

The Guardian

Still, the FA cannot recall a previous instance of a serving official picking up a personal endorsement prior to Clattenburg – and yet there does seem an inevitability to it all.

The Guardian - Sport

In a previous instance when Iranian pilgrims were kidnapped in Syria, he said, their captors displayed seized passports signed by Iranian colonels as proof of military credentials of the hostages — even though all Iranian passports have such signatures.

The New York Times

Agence France-Presse reported a previous instance in which the owners of a chimpanzee named Cheeta believed that their ape had appeared in the classic "Tarzan" films but later learned that Cheeta was younger than they thought.

The New York Times

A judge preparing to hear civil cases arising from the phone hacking told a high court hearing that there was "some important material" in the new archive, whose discovery followed on a previous instance in which a huge tranche of e-mails potentially relevant to the investigations were found by the Murdoch papers after initially being reported lost.

The New York Times

Christine Stencel, a spokeswoman for the Institute of Medicine, which is part of the National Academy of Sciences, said the group was unaware of a previous instance in which one of its reports, sight unseen, was the target of a similar effort to invalidate it.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He said that no one in the church hierarchy was aware of any previous instance in which one diocese sued another but that the suit itself was not a doctrinal matter.

The New York Times

While bloggers have died in war zones before, several prominent military bloggers said they could not recall any previous instances of posthumous blog entries.

The New York Times - Tech

Correction: September 4, 2000, Monday An article yesterday about the origin of President Clinton's deferral of a decision on a national missile defense system misstated the date of the only previous instance an official could recall in which Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen was overruled within the administration's foreign policy team.

The New York Times

Securities law experts say they know of only one previous instance where the S.E.C. appealed a federal judge's rejection of a commission settlement — and the S.E.C. won that appeal.

The New York Times

One particular submission from a previous subject instance had phrasing that included "constructive employee execution" and "worker execution audits" for an assessment topic on employee performance reviews.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a previous instance" to clearly reference a past event or situation, providing context for the current discussion. This adds clarity and helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a previous instance" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your language with synonyms like "earlier case", "prior example", or "former situation" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a previous instance" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an adjectival modifier describing a noun or pronoun. It identifies a specific occurrence or example from the past. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a previous instance" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-toned way to refer to a past occurrence or example. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While not exceedingly common, it is employed in both News & Media and Science contexts to offer background information or draw parallels. To avoid repetition, consider using synonyms like "an earlier occurrence" or "a prior case". Using "a previous instance" effectively contributes to clarity and contextual understanding in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an earlier occurrence

Focuses on the event happening before, slightly more formal.

a prior case

Often used in legal or formal contexts, highlighting a past example.

a former situation

Emphasizes the state of affairs at an earlier time.

a preceding event

Highlights the chronological order of events, with a focus on what came before.

a past example

Simple and direct, referring to a specific instance in the past.

a foregoing occasion

More formal and less common, indicating a prior opportunity or event.

a historical precedent

Implies that the previous instance sets a standard for future actions.

a related episode

Highlights the narrative or story-like quality of a past event.

a parallel situation

Suggests similarities and likenesses between two or more situations.

an analogous event

Implies that there is a similarity between different things and they can be compared.

FAQs

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

You can use "a previous instance" to refer back to an earlier occurrence of something. For example, "In "a previous instance", the system failed due to a similar error."

What are some alternatives to saying "a previous instance"?

You can use alternatives like "an earlier occurrence", "a prior case", or "a former situation" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "a previous instance" or "an earlier case"?

"A previous instance" and "an earlier case" are relatively similar in formality, but "a previous instance" might be slightly more formal in certain contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "a previous instance" and "a recent instance"?

"A previous instance" refers to something that happened at an earlier, unspecified time, while "a recent instance" refers to something that happened not long ago. The key difference is the time frame implied.