at certain instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at certain instances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific moments or occasions when something occurs or is relevant. Example: "At certain instances, the data showed a significant increase in user engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

At certain instances, rather entertainingly, Ma di Tau even seems to be remembering, via a series of flashbacks, moments out of her past.

The New York Times

While an ill designed system may become inoperable due to variations in some process parameters at certain instances, the cumulative effects of temporary disturbances in finite time intervals can also result in serious consequences.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

In both cases, the system is sampled periodically but the control actions are only computed at certain instances of time (based on events), which are a subset of the sampling times.

ISA Transactions

The 2006 anime plays on the association between Kanon and the musical term canon by using Pachelbel's Kanon D-dur, or Canon in D major, as a background piece at certain instances throughout the series.

Wikipedia

The classification of the cellular death pathways is not discrete at certain instances and due to the presence of overlapping signaling pathways regulating these processes, there are a number of common factors involved, making the classification ambiguous.

BioMed Research International

Second, while integration of data in a bottom-up approach helps us see overall constraints, imposed by functional categories for example, at certain instances individual loci may be subject to different constraints.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The switch by MTV Networks, the Viacom Inc. unit that owns Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite, means that, at least in certain instances, Viacom is likely to get two highly rated networks out of one.

Los Angeles Times

The current drug funding process in Ontario (CED-CCO) appears (at least in certain instances) to have the ability to generate funding decisions more quickly than its predecessor.

BMC Cancer

Similarly, at least in certain instances, the injury mechanism, stretch or contraction 8 as well as the length of the lesion on imaging correlate with return to play 5 8.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

There is some recent evidence for this model, at least in certain instances, where it has been demonstrated that polycomb and trithorax group histone-modifying enzymes remain closely associated with their target genomic loci following DNA replication in Drosophila embryo cells.

Briefings in Functional Genomics

In certain instances, chiral-at-metal systems outperform their traditional chiral ligand+metal counterparts as a result of the excellent expression of chirality in the active site(s).

Coordination Chemistry Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at certain instances", ensure the context clearly defines what triggers or defines those specific instances to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "at certain instances" excessively in formal writing. More precise alternatives like "in specific situations" or "under defined circumstances" may enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at certain instances" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at certain instances" is a grammatically sound and usable prepositional phrase that indicates specific moments or situations where something occurs. According to Ludwig AI, it serves as an adverbial modifier, providing precise timing or circumstances. While predominantly found in science, news, and formal business contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. To enhance clarity, ensure the instances are well-defined. For variety, consider alternatives like "on occasion" or "in some cases". Keep the register in mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on occasion

This alternative is more concise and emphasizes the sporadic nature of the occurrence.

at times

This alternative is simpler and indicates that something happens periodically.

in some cases

This alternative focuses on the existence of specific situations where something happens.

under certain circumstances

This alternative highlights the conditions that trigger the occurrence.

in specific situations

This alternative emphasizes the context-dependent nature of the occurrence.

from time to time

This alternative suggests a recurring but infrequent occurrence.

every so often

This alternative implies a somewhat random and infrequent occurrence.

periodically

This alternative suggests a regular, but not necessarily frequent, occurrence.

at select moments

This alternative emphasizes the precise timing of the occurrence.

when applicable

This alternative focuses on the relevance or suitability of something in particular contexts.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "at certain instances"?

You can use alternatives like "on occasion", "in some cases", or "at times" depending on the context.

How can I use "at certain instances" in a sentence?

You can use "at certain instances" to specify that something happens only in particular situations or moments. For example, "At certain instances, additional security measures are required".

Which is correct: "at certain instances" or "in certain instances"?

Both "at certain instances" and "in certain instances" are grammatically correct, but "in certain instances" is slightly more common and may sound more natural to some speakers.

What's the difference between "at certain instances" and "at specific times"?

"At specific times" refers to particular, scheduled moments, while "at certain instances" implies that the moments are determined by conditions or circumstances rather than a set schedule.