an isolated instance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an isolated instance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a single occurrence or example of something that is not part of a larger pattern or trend. Example: "The report highlighted an isolated instance of fraud that was quickly addressed by the management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

This is not an isolated instance of this way of thinking in Orwell.

The New Yorker

Then, instead of an isolated instance of self-interest, it would be a normal instance of compassion.

The New York Times

While I would like to believe this, it would be naïve to assume that the soccer team's reports are an isolated instance of misogyny.

The New Yorker

The incident might have worked as a trigger for the riots that followed, but it was certainly not an isolated instance of police brutality in contemporary Swedish society.

The Guardian - Opinion

What seemed then to be an isolated instance of confusion -- a momentary lapse -- turned out to be a crisis in evaluation that has persisted to the present day.

The New York Times - Arts

UBS no doubt hopes they prove to be aberrational, an isolated instance of wrongdoing within the ranks of its approximately 65,000 employees worldwide.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But others suggest that the partnership is a more isolated instance of two companies joining up amid overlapping agendas.

The New York Times - Tech

"This is not an isolated instance, but because Sao Paulo is the showcase of Brazil and public works projects are so large and numerous, it leads to trafficking of influence on a scale that makes American corruption look like peanuts".

The New York Times

Nor was it an isolated instance.

The Guardian - Books

"I think people see this for what it is, an isolated instance".

The New York Times - Sports

I just hope that in years to come it becomes an isolated instance.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an isolated instance of" when you want to emphasize that something is a one-time occurrence and not part of a larger trend. This helps to avoid generalizations or misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid drawing broad conclusions or making sweeping statements based solely on "an isolated instance of" something. Always consider the context and whether the instance is representative of a wider pattern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an isolated instance of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, specifying that the noun is a singular, non-recurring event or example. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an isolated instance of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a singular, non-recurring event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not overly frequent, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure you aim to highlight the uniqueness of the event, preventing readers from assuming it is representative of a broader trend. Avoid overgeneralizing based on this single occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an isolated case of

Focuses on the specific case and its separation from other occurrences.

an isolated incident of

Highlights the event as a distinct and separate happening.

a singular occurrence of

Focuses on the uniqueness and infrequency of the event.

a unique example of

Highlights the distinct nature of the example.

an exceptional case of

Emphasizes the deviation from the norm.

a one-off situation of

Indicates that the situation happened only once.

an infrequent event of

Stresses the rarity of the event.

an anomaly in

Suggests a deviation from a pattern or expectation.

a rare manifestation of

Implies that the occurrence is uncommon or unusual.

a sporadic display of

Indicates that the display occurs irregularly or intermittently.

FAQs

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

You can use "an isolated instance of" to describe a situation that is not typical or does not happen often. For example, "The report highlighted "an isolated instance of" fraud that was quickly addressed by the management."

What can I say instead of "an isolated instance of"?

You can use alternatives like "a singular occurrence of", "a unique example of", or "an isolated case of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an isolated instance of" or "a isolated instance of"?

"An isolated instance of" is correct. Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an isolated instance of" and "a general trend"?

"An isolated instance of" refers to a single, non-representative occurrence, while "a general trend" refers to a pattern observed over multiple occurrences.