countless instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "countless instances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large number of occurrences or examples of something, often emphasizing the frequency or variety. Example: "There have been countless instances of innovation in technology over the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

I've heard countless instances of our memories altering every time we recall them.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said there were "countless instances of Turkish coast guard vessels ignoring smuggling boats".

The New York Times

There are countless instances of huge drugs manufacturers breaching the rules so they can get medicines on the market.

Independent

Let one example from countless instances of bad faith stand as an example of how sour polite society became.

The Guardian - Opinion

So, for example, with the case of Shor's algorithm, Deutsch said, "When we run such an algorithm, countless instances of us are also running it in other universes.

The New Yorker

Indeed, countless instances of team orders have occurred despite the ban, forcing team directors and drivers to lie or behave hypocritically as they carry them out.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

In countless other instances, the experts say, Beijing quietly tolerates local officials' lawlessness, and they do so for a simple reason: with rare exceptions, the system is exceedingly efficient at stifling unrest.

The New York Times

The period of persecution by the emperors and the demand that subjects of the empire sacrifice before the altars of the emperor's images brought countless new instances of apostasy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just one of countless, priceless instances and memories of a place for which those who visited on a regular basis developed a fondness unmatched at any other club in the country.

The Guardian - Sport

The pictorial approach that Erro has made most distinctively his own is to load a big canvas with countless fragmentary instances of a particular theme, creating an all-over field or "scape".

The New York Times - Arts

Life or death can hang in the balance, as it did in the film and as it does, for example, in mental health care when someone has decided to suicide; or believes they are God and commanded to act in a way destructive to others; or is addicted to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco; and countless other instances when someone has exited from reason and responsibility.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "countless instances", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of event or situation being described. Provide specific examples or details to support the claim of numerous occurrences. For example, instead of just saying "There were countless instances of errors", specify the nature of the errors.

Common error

Avoid using "countless instances" as a vague exaggeration. If you can provide a more precise estimate or even a range, it adds credibility to your writing. Saying "dozens of errors" or "hundreds of cases" can be more impactful than simply stating "countless instances" when more specific information is available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "countless instances" functions as a noun phrase modifier, typically serving to emphasize the frequency or abundance of a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct to use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "countless instances" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a large number of occurrences or examples. It functions as a noun phrase modifier, emphasizing abundance or frequency. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While the phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, it also finds use in Science and Encyclopedias, maintaining a neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure context and detail are provided for clarity. Alternatives such as "numerous examples" or "myriad occurrences" can be used for variety, though specificity is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous examples

Uses "numerous" instead of "countless", emphasizing the quantity of examples.

myriad occurrences

Employs "myriad" to highlight the variety and abundance of occurrences.

innumerable cases

Replaces "countless" with "innumerable", stressing that the cases are too many to count.

a plethora of situations

Substitutes "countless instances" with "a plethora of situations", indicating a large and excessive amount of situations.

an abundance of times

Focuses on the frequency of events by using "an abundance of times".

multiple incidents

A more direct substitute, that focuses on using a synonym of instances.

frequent happenings

Focuses on the frequency of the events.

repeated events

Emphasizes the repetition of the events.

uncountable situations

Similar to innumerable, stressing the quantity of situations.

endless occurrences

Focuses on the seemingly never-ending nature of the occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "countless instances" in a sentence?

You can use "countless instances" to describe a situation where there are a large number of occurrences of something. For example: "There were "countless instances" of bravery during the rescue operation."

What are some alternatives to "countless instances"?

Some alternatives to "countless instances" include "numerous examples", "myriad occurrences", and "innumerable cases".

Is it better to say "countless instances" or provide a specific number?

It depends on the context. If the exact number is unknown or too large to be practical, "countless instances" is appropriate. If you have a reasonable estimate, providing a specific number or range is more informative.

What's the difference between "countless instances" and "a few instances"?

"Countless instances" suggests a very large, unquantifiable number of occurrences, whereas "a few instances" implies a small, limited number.