an individual instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an individual instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific occurrence or example of something within a broader context. Example: "In this study, we will analyze an individual instance of consumer behavior to understand the underlying trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And again, it's focusing on an individual instance.

The New York Times

Is that merely an individual instance, or what is your view of that circumstance?

Yale University

Nonetheless, there are red things in the world and each of them is an individual instance of the universal red.

SEP

Learners could have succeeded in the transfer task by remembering the general principles they abstracted from individual instances or by remembering and generalizing an individual instance.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

(Galison, 1997, p. 22) "The golden event was the exemplar of the image tradition: an individual instance so complete and well defined, so 'manifestly' free of distortion and background that no further data had to be involved" (p. 23).

SEP

If the individual objects are understood to be bundles of 'tropes', where a trope is an individual instance of a property or a relation, and if this notion is broadened to include individuals whose existence depends on that of others which are not a part of them then, it is claimed, this notion may be flexible enough to accommodate quantum physics (Simons 1998; see also Morganti 2013).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Since we have relaxed the requirement so that the TFs in these cliques do not need to form a hard clique in all individual instances, we refer to this approach as finding "soft" TF cliques.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

Realistic scenarios may include dozens or even hundreds of agents and complex conditions to be considered for each individual instance of a given vignette.

Security Informatics

If by this it is supposed that a few individual instances may be shown of partial assessments favoring citizens as compared with the national banks, we think it is erroneous.

Cornell University

You look at an individual matter for instance, the Iran deal.

The New Yorker

In other words, while a certain item can be valuable to me as an individual (for instance, because a beloved person gave it to me), this is not enough to make it an object of historical interest.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an individual instance" when you want to emphasize a specific, single occurrence within a larger set or pattern.

Common error

Avoid using "an individual instance" in very informal contexts. Simpler terms like "a case" or "example" may be more appropriate for casual conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an individual instance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It specifies a particular case or occurrence, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an individual instance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to highlight a specific occurrence or example. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples from science, news, and academic contexts. While "a specific case" or "a single occurrence" can serve as alternatives, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis. It's best to use this phrase when precision and singularity are key, avoiding overuse in overly casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific case

Replaces "instance" with "case", emphasizing the particular details of a situation.

a single occurrence

Focuses on the event happening only once, highlighting its singularity.

an isolated event

Stresses the separation of the event from any connected circumstances.

a unique example

Highlights the distinctiveness and non-repeatable nature of the example.

a particular situation

Emphasizes the specific conditions that define the instance.

an individual occasion

Substitutes "instance" with "occasion", implying a specific time or event.

a discrete episode

Uses more formal language to indicate a distinct and separate event.

a singular phenomenon

Highlights something notable and observable that is unique in its occurrence.

a one-off event

Emphasizes the non-recurring nature, often used in an informal context.

a solitary example

Focuses on there being only one example available.

FAQs

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

Use "an individual instance" to refer to a specific occurrence or example of something. For example, "This study focuses on "an individual instance" of fraud to understand broader patterns".

What are some alternatives to "an individual instance"?

You can use alternatives like "a specific case", "a single occurrence", or "a unique example" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "an individual instance" and "a specific case"?

While similar, "a specific case" often implies a detailed examination of a particular situation, whereas "an individual instance" is a more general reference to a single occurrence.

When is it appropriate to use "an individual instance" instead of a simpler term like "example"?

Use "an individual instance" when you want to emphasize the singularity and distinctness of the example, particularly in formal or analytical contexts. Simpler terms are fine in more casual settings.