an instances of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an instances of" is not correct in English.
It should be "an instance of" or "instances of" depending on the context. You can use "an instance of" when referring to a single occurrence or example of something. Example: "This is an instance of exceptional teamwork that led to our success."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

An appropriate, distributed search engine is an instances of the library class Search.parallel.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

She offers an instance of Romanipen.

The New Yorker

This was an instance of decades colliding.

The New York Times

IT looked like an instance of fashion by fiat.

The New York Times - Style

His claim is not an instance of memoiristic self-mockery.

The New Yorker

This was cited as an instance of appalling segregation.

The Guardian - Opinion

He called the blow an instance of brutality.

The New York Times

CALL it an instance of the butterfly effect.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "an instance of" (singular) or "instances of" (plural) to ensure grammatical correctness. Verify whether you are referring to a single example or multiple examples.

Common error

Avoid using "an instances of". Remember that "an" is used before singular nouns. If you intend to refer to multiple instances, use "instances of" without "an".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an instances of" is grammatically incorrect and therefore does not function properly in a sentence. It is intended to introduce an example, but fails to do so effectively due to the grammatical error. As Ludwig AI points out, it should be either "an instance of" or "instances of".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an instances of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is either "an instance of" (singular) or "instances of" (plural). Ludwig AI confirms this, emphasizing the importance of using the correct singular or plural form depending on the context. While the intended purpose is to introduce an example, the error undermines clarity. Always double-check your noun-determiner agreement. While there are a small number of examples using the incorrect phrase, it is still recommended to use the correct phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an instance of

Corrects the grammatical error by using the singular form "instance".

examples of

Uses the plural form to indicate multiple examples, which might be more appropriate depending on the context.

a case of

Offers a slightly different phrasing, focusing on a specific situation or event.

an example of

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

a demonstration of

Suggests that the example is actively showcasing or proving something.

an illustration of

Implies that the example is clarifying or making something easier to understand.

a manifestation of

Indicates that the example is a visible or tangible expression of something abstract.

a display of

Highlights the visual or observable aspect of the example.

a sign of

Suggests that the example is an indicator or a harbinger of something else.

a form of

Classifies the example as a particular type or category.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "an instances of"?

The correct phrasing is either "an instance of" (singular) or "instances of" (plural), depending on whether you are referring to one or multiple examples.

When should I use "an instance of" vs. "instances of"?

Use "an instance of" when referring to a single, specific example. Use "instances of" when referring to multiple examples or occurrences of something.

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

You can use alternatives such as "an example of", "a case of", or, if referring to multiple examples, "examples of".

Is "an instances of" grammatically correct?

No, "an instances of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "an instance of" (singular) or "instances of" (plural).