an instance where

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'an instance where' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to give an example of something, a specific example of a situation, event, or occurrence. For example: "The new law will be put into effect in an instance where the police are called in".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Here was an instance where star casting clearly paid off.

The New York Times

This is an instance where the use of a naming convention is incredibly important.

Cornell University

There was never an instance where we compromised the storytelling to protect ourselves from the NFL".

The Guardian - Film

This is an instance where perhaps our Players Association needs to try to get involved.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is again an instance where Senator D'Amato is putting politics over principle," she asserted.

The New York Times

But here I discuss an instance where it seems to have been successful.

Nature

But this is kind of an instance where you really see the interplay between statistics and computations.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's an instance where you're casting a show and wouldn't have instantly thought that he would have been right.

The New York Times

"There was never an instance where it was shown to be actual cartel activity," Mr. Ahern said.

The New York Times

In it she noted an instance where the couple, both suffering with drug addiction, took a limousine to rehab together.

Independent

In Mr. Cain's case, I think we are dealing with an instance where there is considerable uncertainty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an instance where" to introduce a specific example or situation that illustrates a broader point you're making.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "an instance where". Instead, vary your sentence structure by using synonyms such as "a case in which" or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an instance where" functions as an adverbial phrase, introducing a specific situation, event, or example. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable English phrase. Examples provided by Ludwig include various contexts where this phrase serves to provide context or illustrate a point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an instance where" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for introducing examples or specific situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. To enhance your writing, remember to use it to illustrate specific points, vary your sentence structure to avoid redundancy, and choose alternative phrases like "a case in which" or "an occasion when" for added nuance. The frequency and presence of the phrase across authoritative sources underscore its validity and versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a case in which

Replaces "instance" with "case" and restructures the sentence while maintaining the same meaning.

an occasion when

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

a situation where

Replaces "instance" with "situation", highlighting the circumstances.

a time when

Focuses on a specific point in time as an example.

an example of when

Directly indicates that what follows is an example related to time.

a scenario in which

Replaces "instance" with "scenario", emphasizing a hypothetical or real situation.

a circumstance where

Highlights specific conditions or facts related to the example.

a moment when

Focuses on a brief period or point in time as the instance.

a situation in that

Offers a more formal variation using "in that" to introduce the situation.

a period when

Emphasizes a longer duration in time as the relevant instance.

FAQs

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

Use "an instance where" to introduce a specific example or situation that supports a claim or illustrates a point. For example, "This is "an instance where" careful planning proved invaluable".

What are some alternatives to "an instance where"?

You can use alternatives like "a case in which", "a situation where", or "an occasion when" to vary your writing while conveying a similar meaning. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an instance where" or "an instance in which"?

"An instance where" and "an instance in which" are both grammatically correct, but "an instance where" is generally more common and less formal. "An instance in which" may be preferred in more formal writing.

What's the difference between "an instance where" and "an example of"?

"An instance where" refers to a specific occurrence or situation, while "an example of" can refer to a broader category or type. For example, "This is "an instance where" the policy failed" highlights a specific failure, whereas "This is an example of a failed policy" describes a category.