important instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "important instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant example or occurrence that holds particular relevance or importance in a given context. Example: "The study highlighted an important instance of how climate change affects local wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

In one important instance, that attitude creates a cartoon instead of a character.

The New York Times - Arts

Banning photographs at Dover, Mr. Gran said, "represents an important instance of the government attempting to justify its objectives".

The New York Times

The men in Tracy Letts' three-act epic are either weakly pathetic, emotionally stunted, or, in one important instance, dead.

The Guardian

In one important instance, Bank of America failed to produce documents" requested by the commission, the report says.

The New York Times

An important instance is the Roshani movement of Bāyazīd Anṣārī and his successors, which was crushed by the Mughals in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nor do the authors mention the most important instance of the United States "negotiating with murderers," which was, of course, the decision to trade arms for hostages in the mid-1980's.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Its revelations form one of the most important instances of investigative journalism in recent years.

The Guardian

In certain important instances - notably supermarkets - the new broom at the Office of Fair Trading still needs to stiffen his act.

The Guardian - Business

There are at least three important instances of such policies which seem to flout the government's own commitment to safety net social policy.

The Guardian

In only two important instances do scholars today exercise real power, and in both cases we can see a deviation from their traditional role.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thompson concludes that the evidence given to the NAO and the PAC on 10 July was "inadequate, and in some important instances, very misleading testimony".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "important instance", ensure the context clearly establishes why the instance is significant. Provide sufficient background information to highlight its importance to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "important instance" for trivial or self-evident situations. Reserve it for cases where the significance is genuinely noteworthy and contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "important instance" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify a particular occurrence or example that holds significant value or relevance within a given context, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "important instance" is a noun phrase frequently employed to highlight significant occurrences across various domains. Analysis from Ludwig indicates its prevalence in scientific literature, news articles, and encyclopedic entries, denoting events that merit attention and understanding. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, remember to employ this expression judiciously, ensuring that the highlighted instance genuinely warrants emphasis. Consider alternatives such as "significant occurrence" or "notable case" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant occurrence

Replaces "instance" with "occurrence", emphasizing the event's happening.

notable case

Substitutes "important instance" with a phrase that highlights the case's noteworthiness.

key example

Replaces "instance" with "example", indicating a representative illustration.

crucial event

Emphasizes the critical nature of the "instance" by calling it a "crucial event".

pivotal situation

Highlights that "instance" is a turning point or "pivotal situation".

essential demonstration

Replace "instance" with demonstration which communicates that the event illustrates something.

primary illustration

Communicates that the instance is a central and significant example.

main occasion

Focuses on that the "instance" is the principal time that something occurs

prominent happening

Replace the words with more unusual terms to indicate that "instance" is noticeable and therefore important.

remarkable development

Replace words with synonyms indicating that "instance" is a noteworthy and important change.

FAQs

How can I use "important instance" in a sentence?

Use "important instance" to highlight a specific occurrence or example that is particularly significant within a broader context. For example: "The study highlighted an important instance of how climate change affects local wildlife."

What are some alternatives to "important instance"?

You can use alternatives like "significant occurrence", "notable case", or "key example" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very important instance"?

While grammatically correct, "very important instance" can be redundant. Consider using stronger synonyms for "important", such as "crucial" or "pivotal", or rephrasing to emphasize the significance directly.

What's the difference between an "important instance" and an "interesting instance"?

An "important instance" carries significance or consequence, whereas an "interesting instance" is merely curious or attention-grabbing. Importance implies relevance and impact, while interest implies intrigue or novelty.