a small instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor example or occurrence of something in various contexts. Example: "In this report, I will provide a small instance of how the new policy has positively impacted employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The photo is also a small instance of a much wider phenomenon.

The Guardian - Opinion

At one point, Bellos quotes with rightful pride a small instance of his own inventiveness.

The New York Times - Books

A small instance, like having the wrong colour paint, can reinforce the notion that white is right.

The Guardian

Each such search returns a small instance with a unique solution for a given problem.

Theoretical Computer Science

Figure 1 represents a small instance of our problem including five suppliers, five customers and a cross-dock.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The hourly price of a small instance from Amazon is 0.07 USD/h while it is 0.09 USD/h for Microsoft Azure.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

A smaller instance could be solved faster, and rescheduling based on the first surgery would take the same amount of time as normal scheduling.

BMC Health Services Research

For example, an on-demand EC2 Small instance costs $0.10 per hour.

TechCrunch

For example, for a CPU-intensive application with small instance size, Rackspace gets the highest performance score and Digital Ocean the fourth place (Fig. 36).

Journal of Cloud Computing

This is one small instance in an unending series of events.

Huffington Post

The database is built primarily on Microsoft SQL Server, with a small solr instance also used.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small instance" to introduce a specific example that supports a broader point, but doesn't require extensive elaboration. This helps maintain focus and brevity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a small instance" to introduce an example that is actually critical to your argument. Ensure the example genuinely represents a minor aspect to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small instance" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct. This phrase usually introduces a specific, yet minor, example or occurrence to support a broader point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small instance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce minor examples or occurrences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It finds usage across various contexts, including science, news, and formal writing, though it's not exceedingly common. When using this phrase, ensure the example is genuinely minor and doesn't require extensive elaboration. Alternatives like "a minor case" or "a slight example" may be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor case

Replaces "instance" with "case", emphasizing a specific occurrence that is not major.

a slight example

Substitutes "instance" with "example", focusing on a specific item used for illustration that is insignificant.

a limited event

Replaces both "small" and "instance" with "limited" and "event", highlighting the constrained nature of an occurrence.

a trivial occurrence

Emphasizes the lack of importance of the event.

a fleeting glimpse

Focuses on the brevity and insignificance of the observation.

a miniature version

Highlights the reduced scale of something.

a microcosm

Suggests a smaller representation of a larger system.

a snapshot

Indicates a brief and limited view.

a token illustration

Highlights the symbolic and limited nature of the example.

a negligible detail

Emphasizes the unimportance of the particular piece of information.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small instance" to introduce a minor example or occurrence, such as, "This is "a small instance" of how the new policy has positively impacted employee morale".

What phrases are similar to "a small instance"?

Similar phrases include "a minor case", "a slight example", or "a limited event", all suggesting a minor or limited occurrence.

Is it appropriate to use "a small instance" in formal writing?

Yes, "a small instance" is suitable for formal writing, especially when providing a brief example. However, ensure the example is genuinely minor and doesn't require detailed explanation.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a small instance"?

Avoid using "a small instance" if the example you're introducing is central to your argument or requires extensive elaboration. In such cases, a more substantial phrase or detailed explanation might be more appropriate.