except one instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except one instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that all items or cases are included in a statement, with the exception of a single specific case. Example: "All the reports were submitted on time, except one instance where the deadline was missed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In all except one instance, we were able to test the recognition (at least against the predominant sequence) after DNA priming, and again after rAd5 boosting.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Except in one instance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mintschew always gets the last word, except in one instance: when Pintschew prevails in his argument to repeal the Passover Legume Ban just as the Conservative rabbis prevailed last December.

The New Yorker

Yet, whenever Mr. Leight's fictitious trumpeter Gene is said to be soloing, recordings of either Lee Morgan, Miles Davis or, most often, Clifford Brown are heard, except for one instance when the audience is presented with a big band identified as Woody Herman's.

The New York Times - Arts

The hungry cohort identified as many of the words as the others except in one instance – they were far more likely to identify the word "cake" than their fully fed peers.

The Guardian - Books

Except for one instance, WSI technology was not felt to be the cause of disagreements.

Human Pathology

No fetus experienced hemodynamic instability during uteroplacental bypass as recorded by fetal heart rate (FHR), pulse oximeter, and fetal echocardiography, except for one instance of reversible bradycardia from umbilical cord compression.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery

Each year, roots from cuttings did not extend beyond 0.5-m width, except for one instance where a root extended between 0.5 and 1.0 m, in contrast to those from poles where extension was >1.0 m, but no intersection between roots from different trees was observed.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Except for one instance.

Huffington Post

Bform was recognized in both groups, except for one instance in each.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

In both groups, Clus was not observed except in one instance.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "except one instance", ensure the exception is clearly defined and relevant to the overall statement. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "except one instance" without specifying what that instance is. Always provide context or identify the specific exception to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except one instance" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an exception to a general statement. As illustrated by Ludwig, it indicates a single case where the general rule does not apply. The Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "except one instance" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that introduces an exception to a general statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts, primarily in science and news media. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly define the exception to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "with one exception" can be used for conciseness. Remember to specify the exception for clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with one exception

A more concise and common way of expressing the same concept.

in all but one instance

Emphasizes the universality of the statement, with only a single exception.

with the exception of one case

Replaces "instance" with "case", emphasizing a specific situation rather than a general occurrence.

save for one occasion

Uses "occasion" instead of "instance", suggesting a particular event as the exception.

apart from a single occurrence

Emphasizes the singularity of the exception with "single occurrence".

barring one example

Replaces "instance" with "example", highlighting a representative case as the exception.

excluding one situation

Focuses on a particular set of circumstances being the exception.

but for one instance

Uses "but for" to create a conditional exception.

excepting a single event

Highlights the uniqueness of the event being excluded.

save one time

A less formal way to express the same idea, using "time" instead of "instance" or "occasion".

FAQs

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

Use "except one instance" to indicate that something is true in all cases, with only one exception. For example, "All the files were saved correctly, "except one instance" where the program crashed".

What are some alternatives to "except one instance"?

You can use alternatives like "with the exception of one case", "save for one occasion", or "apart from a single occurrence" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "except one instance" or "with one exception"?

"With one exception" is generally more concise and commonly used. "Except one instance" can be used for emphasis or when referring to a specific situation.

What's the difference between "except one instance" and "except for one instance"?

"Except one instance" and "except for one instance" are largely interchangeable. The addition of "for" doesn't significantly change the meaning.