an actual instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an actual instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific, real-life example or occurrence of something. Example: "To illustrate my point, let me provide an actual instance of how this theory applies in practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Mary Cheh, the council member who has conducted the hearings, said that just one of the five children's jobs appeared to have been an actual instance of nepotism.

The New York Times

The character of your experience is explained by an actual instance of whiteness manifesting itself in experience.

SEP

The character of one's experience is explained by an actual instance of whiteness manifesting itself in experience.

SEP

H.H. Price, for example, says that "When I say 'this table appears brown to me' it is quite plain that I am acquainted with an actual instance of brownness" (Price 1932: 63).

SEP

Law enforcement officials from the FBI to the NSA have sounded the alarm that encryption would slow down investigations, but they never pointed to an actual instance where encryption prevented them from protecting Americans.

TechCrunch

Besides, it details the recruitment plan and presents an actual instance of the conceptual framework, which can contribute to the use and replication of the sampling approach procedures by SE researchers and practitioners interested on performing surveys in SE.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A commission spokesperson said that the bloc had known about the risk of defeat devices in 2014, but "was not aware of any actual instances of fraud.

The Guardian

False positive is misclassifying an actual negative instance as a positive; false negative is misclassifying an actual positive instance as a negative; and true positive and true negative are the correct classifications.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

The actual instance returned is an HttpWebResponse, and can be typecast to that class to access HTTP-specific properties.

Huffington Post

Objects of perception are causally efficacious particulars (svalakṣaṇa), actual instance of things in the world with temporal and spatial location.

SEP

This is our understanding of the sign/dynamic object relationship at some actual instance in the chain of signs.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an actual instance", ensure the instance you provide is verifiable and relevant to the point you are making.

Common error

While "an actual instance" is correct, overuse in casual conversation can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a real example" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an actual instance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig provides several examples confirming its use in introducing a concrete example.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an actual instance" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to introduce verifiable examples in various contexts. As Ludwig confirms, it's suitable for formal and scientific writing, as well as news and media. While it's accurate, be mindful of the register and consider using simpler alternatives in casual conversations. When deployed correctly, "an actual instance" effectively strengthens your arguments with concrete evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a real example

Replaces "actual instance" with more common synonyms, emphasizing the reality of the example.

a concrete case

Substitutes "actual instance" with terms highlighting the tangible and specific nature of the case.

a genuine occurrence

Replaces "actual instance" focusing on the authenticity and happening of an event.

a factual situation

Highlights the truthfulness and reality of the situation, replacing "instance".

a specific example

Emphasizes the particularity of the example instead of the general term "instance".

a true illustration

Focuses on the authenticity and illustrative nature of the example.

a verifiable event

Highlights the confirmable nature of the event, replacing "instance" with "event".

a documented case

Emphasizes that the case is recorded or written down, providing evidence of its existence.

a confirmed occurrence

Focuses on the established and verified nature of the occurrence.

a tangible example

Stresses the palpable and real nature of the example, instead of "actual instance".

FAQs

How can I use "an actual instance" in a sentence?

Use "an actual instance" to introduce a real-life example that supports your argument or illustrates a point. For example: "To demonstrate this, let me provide "a real example"."

What's the difference between "an actual instance" and "a hypothetical example"?

"An actual instance" refers to something that has genuinely happened, whereas "a hypothetical example" is a made-up scenario used for illustration. One is real, the other is not.

What can I say instead of "an actual instance"?

You can use alternatives like ""a real example"", "a concrete case", or "a genuine occurrence" depending on the context.

Is "an actual instance" formal or informal?

"An actual instance" leans towards the formal side, suitable for academic, scientific, or professional writing. For more casual situations, consider using ""a real example"" or a similar phrase.