at instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at instances" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used to refer to specific moments or occurrences, but "at times" or "on occasions" is more standard. Example: "At instances, the project faced unexpected challenges that required immediate attention."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Writer inquires about what sort of language or speech an untutored baby would develop by looking at instances where children have been found in the wild.

The New Yorker

Additionally, the Schmidt-Furlow investigators looked at instances where female interrogators had fondled prisoners, or pretended to splash menstrual blood upon them.

The Guardian - Opinion

At instances in the simulation where TDG was located in the vicinity of the periplasmic opening, we observed bursts of lipid interactions (Fig. 3B).

Nature

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by diminished bone strength that increases the risk of fracture at instances of trivial trauma.

Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

A further set of case studies looks at instances where fabric structures play an important role in preserving archaeological areas and allowing the sustainable management of heritage buildings.

Fabric Structures in Architecture

Jain hypothesizes that RNA gels may likewise help to compartmentalize cells and he is looking at instances of healthy RNA aggregation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

We propose two different measures (jaccard index at instance and class levels) which we sweep against the number of proposed candidates.

University of California, Berkeley

The overall algorithm can be looked up in Algorithm 1 at instance k.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

They come up at different instances through the book.

The Guardian - Books

Trump, at various instances, failed to correct that misapprehension.

The New Yorker

At two instances, Mr. Morris constructs duets to silence.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using more common alternatives like "at times" or "on occasion" for improved clarity and readability. This will make your writing sound more natural and less stilted.

Common error

Avoid using "at instances" excessively in formal writing, as it can sound awkward. Opt for more conventional phrases like "in some cases" or "under certain circumstances" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at instances" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by specifying when or under what circumstances something occurs. While grammatically sound, Ludwig AI suggests that it is less common than alternatives such as "at times" or "on occasion."

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at instances" is grammatically acceptable but not as common or stylistically preferred as alternatives like "at times" or "on occasion". Ludwig AI analysis suggests that while understandable, its usage can make writing sound awkward, particularly in formal contexts. While not technically incorrect, choosing more common alternatives improves clarity and flow. Because the tool found no instances of the phrase in a large corpus of text, it is rare. When seeking clarity and a natural writing style, opting for alternatives such as "on occasion" or "at times" are generally better choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on occasion

This alternative is a more common and generally preferred way to express something happening sometimes or periodically.

at times

This alternative suggests that something happens sporadically or intermittently.

in some cases

This alternative emphasizes that the statement is true for certain situations, but not all.

in certain situations

This alternative highlights the specific conditions under which something occurs.

under certain circumstances

This alternative specifies that the occurrence depends on particular conditions being present.

on specific occasions

This alternative emphasizes that the instances are particular and distinct.

at particular moments

This alternative focuses on precise points in time when something happens.

in isolated incidents

This alternative implies that the events are infrequent and not part of a pattern.

during those times

This alternative refers back to a previously mentioned period or set of moments.

when applicable

This alternative indicates that the statement holds true only if certain criteria are met.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "at instances"?

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

Is "at instances" grammatically correct?

Yes, "at instances" is grammatically correct, but it's less common and might sound slightly awkward to some readers. Consider using more standard alternatives.

How do I use "at instances" in a sentence?

You can use "at instances" to refer to specific moments or occurrences when something happens. For example: "At instances, the system may experience brief interruptions."

What's the difference between "at instances" and "in all instances"?

"At instances" refers to specific occurrences, while "in all instances" refers to every single occurrence without exception. They have opposite meanings.