a specific instance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific instance of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular example or occurrence of a broader category or concept. Example: "This case serves as a specific instance of the challenges faced by small businesses in the current economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a specific instance of both reading the GPG and editing the proposal.

Stanford University

This problem is actually a specific instance of a broader theoretical uncertainty in class-action procedure.

Columbia University

It is often difficult to definitively link a specific instance of disease to one particular cause, like water pollution.

The New York Times

This count is a specific instance of (average) Euclidean distance degrees of algebraic varieties, and I will briefly discuss other instances inspired by applications.

University of California, Berkeley

In this paper, we focus on a specific instance of that task; that of generating e-learning courses adapted to students' profiles, within the automated planning paradigm.

Expert Systems with Applications

Our aim here is to solve a specific instance of a complex model integration problem by using a framework and scientific workflow approach together.

Environmental Modelling & Software

This question, which exercised Aristotle, Descartes and Kant, is a specific instance of a more general one; namely, can the topology of physical space change with time?

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics

What we are actually dealing with is a specific instance of something far older and even unchanging - western culture's belief that visual art has an ability and obligation to provide it with new experiences and knowledge.

The Guardian - Arts

Nearly 70percentt of blacks said they had encountered a specific instance of discrimination based on their race, compared with 62percentt in 2000; 26percentt of whites said they had been the victim of racial discrimination.

The New York Times

This result is also in line with the idea of corollary discharge, which is a specific instance of an efference copy that allows monitoring and controlling of the interference of one's own production during ongoing verbal production24.

Nature

Professor Battilana's research focuses on a specific instance of hybrid organizing social enterprises that diverge from the established organizational forms of both typical corporations and typical not-for-profits by combining aspects of both at their core.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a specific instance of" to clearly signal that you are providing a concrete example to support a more general statement. This helps readers connect abstract concepts to real-world situations.

Common error

While grammatically sound, relying heavily on "a specific instance of" can make writing sound overly formal or repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "for example" or "such as" where appropriate to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific instance of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a concrete example or illustration. It serves to ground abstract concepts in tangible realities, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific instance of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for introducing a concrete example. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. While applicable across diverse fields, it's most prevalent in scientific, academic, and news media contexts. For stylistic variation, consider alternatives like "a particular example of" or "a concrete illustration of", but be aware the phrase has neutral to formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular example of

Replaces "specific" with "particular", maintaining a similar level of detail but focusing on individuality.

a clear cut example of

Emphasizes the easy to perceive nature of the example, suggesting it's easily understood.

a concrete illustration of

Emphasizes the tangible and easily understood nature of the example.

a manifest sample of

Highlights the observable or evident nature of the sample, lending a more formal tone.

a prime case of

Highlights the example as being especially representative or noteworthy.

an actual embodiment of

Focuses on the realization of an abstract idea or principle in a tangible form.

a notable occurrence of

Draws attention to the event's significance or unusual character.

a distinct manifestation of

Indicates a unique or clear expression of a quality or phenomenon.

a typical demonstration of

Suggests that the example is characteristic and representative of a broader trend.

a selected token of

Implies a deliberate choice of one representative element from a larger set.

FAQs

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

Use "a specific instance of" to introduce a particular example that supports a broader point. For example, "The recent market crash is "a specific instance of" the risks associated with speculative investments."

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

You can use alternatives like "a particular example of", "a concrete illustration of", or "a prime case of" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a specific instance of"?

It's appropriate to use "a specific instance of" when you want to draw attention to a particular example that clearly demonstrates or supports a more general concept or trend. It is suitable for formal writing and academic contexts.

What's the difference between "a specific instance of" and "for example"?

"A specific instance of" is more formal and emphasizes that the example is a concrete realization of a broader category, while "for example" is more general and simply introduces an illustrative case.