an instance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'an instance of' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to a specific example or instance of a particular thing or phenomenon. For example, "Racism is an instance of discrimination that is particularly damaging to individuals and communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An object is an instance of a class type.

VHDL-2008 Just the New Stuff

An object is an instance of a class.

Biology Direct

We had an instance of that recently.

Independent

b) an instance of mimicking.

Princeton University

To create an instance of.

Cornell University

Instantiate means "to create an instance of".

Cornell University

She offers an instance of Romanipen.

The New Yorker

This was an instance of decades colliding.

The New York Times

This may have been an instance of practice singing.

Cornell University

Every object is an instance of some particular class.

University of California, Berkeley

A color space is an instance of a color model.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an instance of" when you want to provide a concrete example to support a more general statement or concept. It adds clarity and specificity to your writing.

Common error

While "an instance of" is useful, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "for example", "such as", or "a case of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an instance of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a specific example or occurrence relevant to the topic at hand. It is used to provide concrete evidence or clarification, aligning with Ludwig's AI confirmation of its correctness and general usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

29%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an instance of" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to introduce specific examples or occurrences. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and highlights its frequent use across diverse fields such as science, news, and academia. When writing, use "an instance of" to bolster your arguments with concrete evidence but remember to vary your phrasing to avoid redundancy. Consider alternative phrases such as "an example of" or "a case of" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific example of

Adds emphasis to the specificity of the example.

a case of

This alternative is more concise, using "case" instead of "instance".

an example of

Replaces "instance" with "example", a direct synonym.

an occurrence of

Substitutes "instance" with "occurrence", emphasizing the event aspect.

a demonstration of

Highlights the illustrative nature of the example.

an illustration of

Similar to 'example', this emphasizes visual or descriptive representation.

one such case

Replaces "an instance of" with "one such case", implying that there are more cases like it.

a manifestation of

Focuses on how something is revealed or shown.

a display of

Highlights the showing or exhibiting of something.

a sample of

Implies a representative selection from a larger set.

FAQs

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

Use "an instance of" to introduce a specific example that illustrates a general point. For example, "Racism is "an instance of" discrimination that is particularly damaging to individuals and communities."

What are some alternatives to saying "an instance of"?

You can use alternatives like "a case of", "an example of", or "a demonstration of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "an instance of" and "a case of"?

While they are similar, ""an instance of"" often refers to a specific occurrence, whereas "a case of" can refer to a situation or problem. The interchangeability depends on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "an instance of" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you need to provide a clear and specific example to support your argument or analysis. It helps to add credibility and clarity to your points.