an historical case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an historical case" is correct and usable in written English, though it may be considered somewhat formal or less common.
You can use it when referring to a specific case or example from history, particularly in academic or analytical contexts. Example: "The study examined an historical case that significantly influenced modern legal practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

To determine how nurse-driven, protocol-based weaning compared with usual physician-directed weaning for discontinuation of mechanical ventilation (MV) in patients ventilated for more than 48 hours, Tonnelier and colleagues [ 16] compared a prospectively studied protocol group with an historical, case matched control group (n = 104 each).

Critical Care

Further research will be necessary in order to answer "chicken or egg" questions, as well as those related to function and pathogenicity: an historical case in point is ApoE that was identified as an AD risk factor over 20 years ago yet for which function and mechanistic pathogenicity is still not completely understood.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

However, it is hardly possible to have a control group for a historical case series.

Acta Neurochirurgica

This has been well illustrated in a historical case of a religious sect in the U.S., whose female members refuse to utilise modern obstetric care.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Have students read a historical case study about a scientist (e.g., the American Museum of Natural History's online Darwin exhibit: http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/darwin/) and apply the checklist.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Let me start with a historical case, and compare it with a recent one in which similar features are visible.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Farber (2003) suggests implementing a historical case study approach, similar to a PBL approach, to engage students with an investigation focused on natural selection and evolution theory.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Based on DNA analysis of a historical case, the authors describe how a female athlete can be unknowingly confronted with the consequences of a disorder of sex development resulting in hyperandrogenism emerging early in her sports career.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Zoned for change: A historical case study of the Belmont Zone of Choice.

Stanford University

We begin with a historical case: the Green Revolution in India, and we look at its short- and long-term consequences.

University of California, Berkeley

The transformation perspective is illustrated with a historical case study, the hygienic transition from cesspools to integrated sewer systems in The Netherlands.

Research Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "an historical case" is grammatically correct, consider the flow of your writing. If you're aiming for modern, concise language, "a historical case" might be preferable. Choose based on the tone and style of your piece.

Common error

The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the pronunciation of the following word, not just the spelling. Ensure the word after "an" truly begins with a vowel sound. For many speakers, the 'h' in 'historical' is pronounced, making "a historical case" more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an historical case" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "historical" modifies the noun "case". It specifies that the case being referred to pertains to events or situations in the past. Ludwig's AI confirms that its grammatical status is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

36%

Academia

28%

News & Media

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an historical case" is a grammatically sound phrase used to refer to a specific instance from the past. Though technically correct, modern English often favors the slightly more concise "a historical case". Ludwig's AI confirms the grammatical validity of the phrase. The choice between the two depends on pronunciation preferences and desired tone, with "an historical case" leaning towards a more formal register. Usage is most prevalent in academic, scientific, and news contexts. When writing, consider your audience and the overall style of your piece to determine whether "an historical case" or "a historical case" is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a historical instance

Replaces 'case' with 'instance', maintaining the historical context but using different terminology.

a historical example

Substitutes 'case' with 'example', focusing on the illustrative aspect of the historical occurrence.

a historical occurrence

Uses 'occurrence' as a synonym for 'case', emphasizing that something happened.

a past event

Simplifies the phrase by using 'event' instead of 'case' and 'past' instead of 'historical'.

an instance from the past

Uses 'instance' to mean 'case' and specifies 'the past' instead of 'historical'.

a precedent from history

Replaces 'case' with 'precedent' and rephrases 'historical' as 'from history' altering the structure.

a case in history

Reorders the phrase for emphasis and removes 'historical' to imply the historical context directly.

a documented historical situation

Adds the element of documentation and replaces the word 'case' with 'situation'.

a classic illustration

Uses the term 'classic' to suggest historical significance and replaces 'case' with 'illustration'.

an age-old scenario

Emphasizes the age and protracted nature of the historical event.

FAQs

Is "an historical case" grammatically correct?

Yes, "an historical case" is grammatically correct, although some consider it more formal or old-fashioned. The choice between "a" and "an" depends on pronunciation. If the 'h' in 'historical' is pronounced, "a historical case" is also acceptable.

When should I use "an historical case" instead of "a historical case"?

Use "an historical case" when you want to create a more formal tone, or when you do not pronounce the 'h' in "historical". However, keep in mind that using "a historical case" is more common in modern usage.

What are some alternatives to "an historical case"?

You can use alternatives such as "a historical example", "a past event", or "a historical instance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which sources commonly use "an historical case"?

While various sources use this phrase, it is frequently found in academic, scientific, and news publications. However, be aware of the slightly more formal tone that "an historical case" gives to your writing.