had an instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had an instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific occurrence or example of something that happened in the past. Example: "During the meeting, I had an instance where I realized the importance of teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We had an instance of that recently.

Independent

In the meantime, we've had an instance like that.

The Guardian

"I write the transfer tax into the contract and have never had an instance when the tax wasn't paid by the buyer," he said.

The New York Times

"We had an instance last year where a gas pipeline was set to go through a certain area, and after we listed a new stream, the company had to redesign its plans," Mr. Miko said of Tombs Run, a tributary of Pine Creek in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River watershed.

The New York Times

"We had an instance in which 25 extremists, as they were described, jumped on ships outside of the United States, hid in the container cargoes until they got to the United States and then disembarked," the lawmaker, Senator Bob Graham, a Florida Democrat, said in an interview on CNN.

The New York Times

Thus, there were a few sub-cases that never occurred (e.g., the gifted group never had an instance of 4 preceding cooperators in condition I, and the average group never experienced 4 preceding cooperators in condition III), and some of the comparisons between groups or amongst sub-cases were restricted only to non-statistical and heuristic inspection.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The MorphologicSyntacticAnalyzer class has an instance of the PPMManager class.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

When evidential considerations have not trumped non-evidential considerations, we have an instance of bad science.

SEP

We thus have an instance of a free will in general (GW VII 242 | KU 240).

SEP

In the figure, each slot has an instance of its role player as a "value".

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

If not, we have an instance of the fallacy of equivocation.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had an instance" to refer to a specific occurrence or example, especially when emphasizing that the event actually took place.

Common error

While "had an instance" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "experienced a case" or "encountered a situation" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had an instance" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe a specific occurrence or event experienced in the past. It typically introduces a situation or example that the speaker or writer encountered. Ludwig examples show this phrase in various contexts, from news reports to personal experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Independent

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had an instance" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to denote a specific occurrence or example. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. While "had an instance" is acceptable, overuse might lead to repetitiveness; therefore, consider alternatives such as "experienced a case" or "encountered an occurrence" to enhance your writing's flow. Remember that "had an instance" refers to a single occurrence, differentiating it from "had instances", which signifies multiple occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced a case

Emphasizes the personal involvement or undergoing of a specific situation.

encountered an occurrence

Highlights the unexpected or chance nature of the event.

went through a situation

Focuses on the process and duration of the event.

faced a circumstance

Implies a challenging or difficult situation.

witnessed an event

Stresses the act of observing something happen.

dealt with an incident

Highlights the act of managing or resolving a specific event, often negative.

underwent an episode

Suggests a distinct and potentially recurring event.

observed a phenomenon

Refers to noticing a specific and potentially unusual event.

came across a situation

Indicates an unexpected finding or discovery of a particular situation.

had a happening

Refers to an event or occurrence, often implying something casual or informal.

FAQs

How can I use "had an instance" in a sentence?

You can use "had an instance" to describe a specific occurrence or example. For example: "We "had an instance" of that recently" or "I "had an instance" where I needed to go to the loo".

What phrases are similar to "had an instance"?

Similar phrases include "experienced a case", "encountered an occurrence", or "went through a situation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "had an instance of" more formal than "had an example of"?

While both are acceptable, "had an instance of" might be perceived as slightly more formal, especially in professional or academic writing. However, the difference is minimal, and context is more important.

Which is correct, "had an instance" or "had instances"?

"Had an instance" refers to a single occurrence, while "had instances" refers to multiple occurrences. For example: "I "had an instance" where the system crashed" versus "I "had instances" of the system crashing".