earlier instances of the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earlier instances of the" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to previous occurrences or examples of a particular subject or phenomenon. Example: "In earlier instances of the experiment, we observed different results compared to the current findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Earlier instances of the town board's resistance to his development projects caused Mr. Monaghan to fight back.

The New York Times

(The story also provides one of the earlier instances of the cubicle, when the lawyer who employs Bartleby erects a "high green folding screen" to create some minor space for his clerk).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

My friend Jack, mentioned in some of the earlier instances of these pieces, has a house on the road that becomes the Trail of the Lonesome Pine.

Vice

Judging by some earlier instances of this approach, it can also ruin a film.

The Guardian - Film

But now the British Film Institute has discovered an even earlier instance of the televised interracial kiss.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The source for this is the Oxford English Dictionary, but of course there may be an earlier instance of the word which is yet to be discovered.

Huffington Post

The threat of spying App store programs is mostly theoretical, but researchers cite a few early instances of the scheme.

Forbes

He notes earlier instances of unwinding in our history, notably the Civil War and the Great Depression, adding that "out of each unwinding came a new cohesion".

Huffington Post

Why was the public-safety exclusion not invoked in these earlier instances of domestic terrorism?

The Economist

Earlier instances of such casting are a rarity.

Independent

There were some earlier instances of meat being used as clothing in art.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "earlier instances of the", ensure you provide sufficient context for readers to understand what you are referring to. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "earlier instances of the" without clarifying what those instances were. Vague references can confuse your audience. Always specify the subject matter to maintain clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier instances of the" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun. It introduces examples or occurrences that happened at a time before the current one. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earlier instances of the" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to reference previous occurrences or examples. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not exceedingly common, it appears in a variety of reputable sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. Its primary function is to provide context and historical perspective. To ensure clarity, always specify the subject of these "earlier instances". Some alternatives include "previous examples of the" and "prior occurrences of the".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous occurrences of the

Replaces "earlier" with "previous", emphasizing a temporal sequence.

prior examples of the

Substitutes "earlier" with "prior", indicating precedence in time or order.

initial cases of the

Uses "initial" instead of "earlier", highlighting the beginning or start.

preceding examples of the

Replaces "earlier" with "preceding", emphasizing the order of events.

historical instances of the

Substitutes "earlier" with "historical", focusing on past events.

first occurrences of the

Highlights the very first times something happened.

early manifestations of the

Uses "manifestations" instead of "instances", implying a display or showing of something.

original examples of the

Replaces "earlier" with "original", focusing on the source or beginning.

ancient precedents for the

Emphasizes old precedents and replaces 'instances' with 'precedents'.

antecedent occasions of the

Replaces "earlier" and "instances" to indicate something that existed before or logically precedes another.

FAQs

How can I use "earlier instances of the" in a sentence?

You can use "earlier instances of the" to refer to previous occurrences or examples of something. For example, "Earlier instances of the problem were handled differently".

What are some alternatives to "earlier instances of the"?

Alternatives include "previous examples of the", "prior occurrences of the", or "initial cases of the", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "earlier instances of the" and "early instances of the"?

"Earlier instances of the" implies that there are later instances as well, while "early instances of the" focuses on the initial occurrences. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing a progression or just the beginning.

What's the difference between "earlier instances of the" and "previous instances of the"?

Both are similar, but "previous instances of the" /s/previous+instances+of+the is slightly more general. "Earlier instances of the" implies a direct chronological order, while "previous instances of the" can refer to any prior occurrences, not necessarily in sequence.