an unexpected instance

USAGE SUMMARY

"an unexpected instance" is correct and can be used in written English.
You might use this when describing a particular event or situation that was not foreseen. For example, "The success of the experimental drug was an unexpected instance that led to a major breakthrough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Every time one watches or plays a game or a match, there is that chance that something will occur...a shot, a move, a matchup...that will give us a wow factor, a thrilling moment, an unexpected instance from which we will mark time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But when it does, and it can be during the most unexpected instance of theatrical tension, you suddenly feel it, and you know you're alive.

Huffington Post

These properties include expected instances where a highly mutated gene contained a highly mutated domain, but also unexpected instances where a shared domain is highly mutated, but the individual genes are not, or even where after the removal of mutations from highly mutated genes, some genes still contain mutations within the shared domain.

BMC Genomics

Other accents include the unexpected instances when the pitiful underdogs of O.K. (Oozma Kappa) fraternity are able to triumph and shock everyone in parts of the Scare Games competition.

Huffington Post

The resilience of TSE infectivity to inactivation has led to unexpected instances of disease transmission, such as CJD cases caused by contaminated surgical instruments subjected to conventional methods of cleaning and steam sterilization [4].

Plosone

In this section, we evaluate the performance of RL-FNN when a cell is shut down due to, for instance, an unexpected failure or for simply energy-saving purposes.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The suburban housewife played by Penelope Wilton in "Nights in the Gardens of Spain," for instance, forms an unexpected bond with a neighbor who kills her sadistic husband.

The New York Times - Arts

For instance, he found an unexpected metabolic marker, called formate, that seems to have a role in regulating blood pressure.

The Economist

Today, for instance, Italy reported an unexpected slowdown in its quarterly growth rate, and a widely watched indicator of business confidence in Germany fell for the third consecutive month.

The New York Times

For instance, abnormal behavior occurs when an unexpected exception is thrown by the service implementation.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

A mathematical fallacy, on the other hand, is an instance of improper reasoning leading to an unexpected result that is patently false or absurd.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unexpected instance" to highlight a specific occurrence that deviates from the expected norm, adding emphasis to its surprising nature.

Common error

Avoid using "an unexpected instance" too frequently in highly formal or scientific writing, as it can sometimes sound less precise than more technical alternatives such as "anomaly" or "deviation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unexpected instance" functions as a noun phrase, where "unexpected" modifies the noun "instance." It serves to identify a particular occurrence that was not predicted or anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing surprising events in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an unexpected instance" is a grammatically sound way to describe an event or situation that was not foreseen. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various domains, including news, media, and science, albeit with relatively low frequency. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and opt for more specific terms in highly formal settings. When writing, remember to leverage this phrase to emphasize the element of surprise or deviation from the norm. Its neutral tone allows for broad application, but careful attention to the intended audience will ensure the most impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unforeseen event

Emphasizes the lack of anticipation for the event.

an unanticipated occurrence

Highlights that the occurrence was not expected.

a surprise situation

Focuses on the element of surprise.

an unpredicted episode

Stresses the inability to foresee the episode.

an anomaly

Indicates a deviation from the norm or expectation.

an atypical case

Highlights the irregularity of the case.

an exceptional circumstance

Emphasizes the unique nature of the circumstance.

a freak event

Conveys a sense of randomness and unusualness.

a chance happening

Underlines the accidental nature of the happening.

a bolt from the blue

A more idiomatic way to express something completely unexpected.

FAQs

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

You can use "an unexpected instance" to describe a situation or event that was not predicted or anticipated. For example, "The company's sudden success was "an unexpected instance" of market disruption."

What phrases are similar to "an unexpected instance"?

Similar phrases include "an unforeseen event", "an unanticipated occurrence", or "a surprise situation", each emphasizing different aspects of unpredictability.

Is "an unexpected instance" formal or informal?

The phrase "an unexpected instance" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal writing might prefer more precise terminology depending on the field.

What is the difference between "an unexpected instance" and "an unusual occurrence"?

While both describe something out of the ordinary, "an unexpected instance" emphasizes the surprise factor, while "an unusual occurrence" focuses more on the rarity or infrequency of the event.