a prime instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prime instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a clear or typical example of something, often highlighting its significance or importance. Example: "The recent study is a prime instance of how climate change affects biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A prime instance is his portrait of Kathleen, Countess of Drogheda, which dates from the years he spent in London during and after World War II.

The New York Times - Arts

{Read more.] A prime instance of Schneider in action came just a few weeks before his death, on a trip to Australia to discuss climate change with 52 self-described climate skeptics on the television program Insight.

The New York Times

A prime instance of this is "The Jewish Wedding," a drawing done with gouache and India ink, pen and brush, mounted on cardboard, on loan from a private collection in St .Petersburg, Russia.

The New York Times - Arts

The loss of about 9,000 lives in the Gustloff torpedoing is a prime instance in the politically charged debate about German victims, but it also has an organic link to the novel.

The New York Times - Books

As a prime instance of these ups and downs as they occur in public life, Poussin chose the case of the Athenian general Phocion, who in 318 B.C. was condemned to death by his enemies, forced to drink hemlock and refused burial within the city walls.

The New York Times - Arts

A prime instance of this occurs in Redmond's revisiting of one of the great poems of our time, Derek Mahon's "A Disused Shed in Co Wexford": "Deep in the grounds of a burnt-out hotel, / Among the bathtubs and the washbasins / A thousand mushrooms crowd to a keyhole".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The popularity of the Kahiki Supper Club, in Columbus, Ohio, for instance, is a prime example of how the island lifestyle became emblematic of a happy, more relaxed attitude.

Huffington Post

For instance, the copper(I -catalyzed azI -catalyzedycloazide alkyneAAcycloadditiond as a prime example of "CuAAC" chemistregarded

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews

A prime example?

Los Angeles Times

And Eagleton chooses as his prime instance of a work that examines these questions of life and death not a play but a novel, "The Magic Mountain," by Thomas Mann. "Life and death, the novel reflects, are perhaps just different viewpoints on the same reality".

The New York Times - Books

In one prime instance, Bush relates a poignant meeting between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and a Tajik warlord on Karzai's Inauguration Day.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prime instance" to introduce a particularly clear or significant example that supports your argument or clarifies a concept. This phrase is best suited for formal writing or when you want to emphasize the importance of the example.

Common error

Avoid using "a prime instance" in informal contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a good example" or "a key case" to maintain a natural tone in casual conversations or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prime instance" functions as a noun phrase that serves to introduce or highlight a particularly relevant or significant example. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correctly and effectively used in written English to pinpoint a key illustration of a broader point.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a prime instance" serves as a formal way to introduce a significant example. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and can add emphasis to your writing. While not overly common, especially against the more used alternative a prime example, its use can enhance clarity and convey the importance of the presented illustration, especially in news and scientific contexts. Remember to consider the formality of the situation and choose simpler alternatives for casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a perfect example

Replaces "instance" with "example" and "prime" with "perfect", emphasizing the ideal nature of the example.

a key example

Replaces "prime" with "key", highlighting the importance and significance of the example.

a notable case

Substitutes "instance" with "case" and "prime" with "notable", focusing on the remarkableness of the event.

a leading example

Changes "prime" to "leading", indicating the example is at the forefront or most prominent.

a classic illustration

Replaces "instance" with "illustration" and "prime" with "classic", implying the example is typical and well-known.

a significant instance

Swaps "prime" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the occurrence.

a striking example

Replaces "prime" with "striking", focusing on the impressiveness and noteworthiness of the example.

a foremost example

Substitutes "prime" with "foremost", highlighting the example's position as the most important or best.

a top example

Replaces "prime" with "top", suggesting the example is among the best or most important.

a textbook case

Replaces "prime instance" with "textbook case", implying the example is standard and frequently used for learning.

FAQs

What does "a prime instance" mean?

The phrase "a prime instance" refers to a particularly good or representative example of something. It highlights the significance or typicality of the example in illustrating a broader point.

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

You can use "a prime instance" to introduce an example that clearly demonstrates a concept or supports an argument. For example: "The recent study is "a prime instance" of how climate change affects biodiversity."

What can I say instead of "a prime instance"?

You can use alternatives like "a perfect example", "a key example", or "a notable case depending on the context.

Is "a prime instance" different from "a prime example"?

While "a prime instance" and "a prime example" are very similar, "instance" often implies a specific occurrence or event, whereas "example" can refer to a more general illustration or model. The choice depends on the specific context.