at one instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at one instance" is not commonly used in written English; the correct expression is "at one instance" or "at one point." You can use it when referring to a specific moment in time during a discussion or narrative.
Example: "At one instance, I thought I saw a shadow moving in the corner of my eye."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At one instance, Disgust takes over when she has to eat broccoli, and at another time Anger causes her to have a temper tantrum and overwhelms her when she has a difficult time adjusting in school.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In at least one instance on the campaign trail so far, Clinton's progressive messaging seemed at risk of speaking too narrowly to the core Democratic voter.

The Guardian

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Vice

So far in this college football season, the Times computer has been made fun of, cussed at and, in at least one instance, agreed with.

The New York Times - Sports

In at least one instance, this focus on the geostrategic reality risks ignoring another reality, that something can be of decisive importance simply because everybody thinks it is.

The New York Times - Books

In at least one instance, a parent identified her own children on ISawYourNanny and fired the caregiver.

The New York Times

She's a one-man woman, but he strays, in at least one instance with a woman who works at the gallery and supports it.

Huffington Post

In keeping with the younger age at onset, 56% of BRCA1 families included at least one instance of bilateral disease, compared to 28% of BRCA2 families.

British Journal of Cancer

Earlier this month, the school admitted in a letter summarizing the findings of an internal investigation that at least 12 former teachers molested, and in at least one instance, raped, students in a pattern dating back to the 1960s.

Vice

In a sample of 24,017 adults with chronic disease who self-identified as being medication persisters, 70% reported at least one instance of unintentional non-adherence, and 34% reported at least one instance of intentional non-adherence in the past six months.

BMC Health Services Research

In at least one instance, Mr. Lussen was a strong voice for more accountability on the part of detectives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "at one point" or "on one occasion" for clarity and wider acceptance.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "at one instance" in your writing; diversify your language by using synonyms such as "on one occasion", "at a certain point", or "in one case" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at one instance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something occurs. Ludwig AI shows examples where it indicates a specific moment or occasion within a larger context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at one instance" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a specific moment or occasion. While grammatically acceptable, it's less common than alternatives like "at one point" or "on one occasion", as pointed out by Ludwig AI. It appears in news and scientific contexts, but diversifying your language by using synonyms is recommended for clearer and more engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a specific moment

Replaces "instance" with "moment" to emphasize a particular point in time.

on one occasion

Substitutes "instance" with "occasion", highlighting a particular event or time.

in one case

Uses "case" instead of "instance", focusing on a specific example or situation.

at a certain point

Emphasizes a specific point in time during a process or event.

in a single situation

Focuses on a unique set of circumstances, replacing "instance" with "situation".

at one juncture

Replaces "instance" with the more formal "juncture", indicating a critical point.

in a particular example

Highlights a specific instance as an illustration of a broader concept.

at a given time

Specifies a particular moment when something occurs.

in one situation

Similar to "in one case" but emphasizes the broader context.

on one occasion only

Adds emphasis on the singularity of the event.

FAQs

What does "at one instance" mean?

The phrase "at one instance" means at a specific point in time or on a particular occasion. It's used to refer to something that happened once.

Is it correct to say "at one instance"?

While grammatically acceptable, "at one instance" is less common than other similar phrases. Alternatives like "at one point" or "on one occasion" might be preferred for clarity and wider acceptance.

What can I say instead of "at one instance"?

You can use alternatives such as "at one point", "on one occasion", or "in one case" depending on the context.

How can I use "at one instance" in a sentence?

You can use "at one instance" to indicate a specific moment when something occurred. For example: "At one instance, Disgust takes over when she has to eat broccoli."