a small instance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small instance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor example or occurrence of something. Example: "This is a small instance of how teamwork can lead to success in our projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 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

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

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Currently, the cost of an instance hour of a small instance running Linux or Windows, is, respectively, 8.5 and 12 cents.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

The figures above imply that if a consumer accrues 10 instanceHrs of a small instance consumption, running Linux, during a month, he will incur a charge of 85 cents at the end of the month.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

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

The 282 node Cray XE6, Tödi (Swiss National Supercomputing Center), is useful for development and testing of large scale applications for Titan, being a much smaller instance of this system.

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

Teachers play an important role in noticing small instances of good behaviour and giving the pupil positive feedback with smiles, nods, and phrases such as "well done".

The Guardian

Another example: like a lot of English people, I'm hyper aware of small instances of social embarrassment.

The Guardian - Opinion

To these teenagers, even small instances of sharing can be divisive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These small instances of fudging are usually considered harmless.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small instance of", ensure the context clearly indicates what it is a smaller representation or example of. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the connection you're making.

Common error

Avoid using "a small instance of" when the example is actually quite significant or representative. This can undermine your argument and mislead the reader about the true scale or impact of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small instance of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically serving as an adjectival modifier to a noun. It qualifies the noun by specifying that it is a minor or limited example, as demonstrated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small instance of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a limited or minor example to illustrate a broader point. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from diverse sources, primarily news and scientific publications. While not frequently used, it serves a specific communicative purpose in drawing connections between a specific example and a larger context. Alternative phrases such as "a minor example of" or "a limited case of" can be used for variety, but it's crucial to avoid overstating the significance of the example provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor example of

Replaces "instance" with "example" and "small" with "minor", emphasizing the insignificance of the example.

a limited case of

Substitutes "instance" with "case" and "small" with "limited", highlighting the restricted scope of the situation.

a slight occurrence of

Replaces "instance" with "occurrence" and "small" with "slight", focusing on the event's minimal impact.

a brief illustration of

Replaces "instance" with "illustration" and "small" with "brief", emphasizing a quick and concise example.

a miniature version of

Uses "miniature version" to indicate a scaled-down representation of something.

a microcosm of

Employs "microcosm" to suggest a smaller system reflecting a larger one.

a glimpse of

Focuses on a fleeting view or indication of something larger.

a hint of

Suggests a subtle or indirect indication of something.

a touch of

Implies a slight or minimal presence of something.

a fragment of

Indicates a small or incomplete part of a larger whole.

FAQs

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

Use "a small instance of" to introduce a minor or limited example that illustrates a broader concept or trend. For instance, "This error is "a small instance of" a larger systemic issue".

What are some alternatives to "a small instance of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a minor example of", "a limited case of", or "a slight occurrence of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "a small instance of" or "a minor instance of"?

Both "a small instance of" and "a minor instance of" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice depends on stylistic preference and the specific context. "A minor instance of" might emphasize the insignificance slightly more.

How does "a small instance of" differ from "a typical instance of"?

"A small instance of" indicates that the example is limited or minor, while "a typical instance of" suggests that the example is representative or common. They have opposite connotations regarding the example's representativeness.