in a single instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a single instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific occurrence or example of something happening. Example: "In a single instance, the experiment yielded unexpected results that contradicted the hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Currently, investigators must get a separate warrant for each network service provider whose system the signal crosses, which can be hundreds in a single instance.

The New York Times

For example, he identifies more than 20 different processes involved in a single instance of being conscious of one's own actions.

MIT Technology Review

The Justice Department has, in at least one case, allowed a company both to admit and deny similar charges in a single instance.

The New York Times

In a single instance, it only saves the company a few seconds, but in the grand scheme of things this certainly makes the business more efficient.

TechCrunch

In terms of categorization, she falls into the singularist camp on causation, since she further rejected the Humean view that causation is not observable in a single instance.

SEP

Objects with DP <300 are likely to develop significant wear and tear (a detached piece of paper with text) in a single instance of handling (reading).

Heritage Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Previous empirical analysis in plants established the existence of small secondary ssRNA cascade [2], in which a single instance of this event occurred but it was not known whether there are other more extensive networks of secondary sRNA production.

Plosone

We, therefore, consider a derivative feature space, in which a single instance is represented by (W_0^top mathbf{x}) and the example feature space comes after (W_0^top mathbb {X}), where (W_0in mathbb {R}^{Dtimes d}).

Complex & Intelligent Systems

I did not to find anywhere in Australia a single instance of truly integrated teaching of statistics and research methods through PBL.

BMC Medical Education

If an interaction derived from a single primary reference is found in slightly different forms in multiple databases, a single instance with the appropriate reference appears in DroID.

BMC Genomics

Clinton expresses unqualified support for capital punishment; Tsongas supports it only in a single instance--for major drug dealers.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in a single instance", ensure the context clearly indicates you're referring to a solitary occurrence and not a recurring pattern. This phrase adds emphasis to the uniqueness of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "in a single instance" when you actually intend to describe a recurring pattern or trend. The phrase is specifically for isolated, one-time events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a single instance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the limited scope or frequency of an action or event. It indicates that something occurred only once, emphasizing its singularity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a single instance" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the uniqueness of an occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is valid and useful in writing. It's most common in science and news contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. Related phrases, like "on one occasion" or "in one particular case", offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure you're referring to an isolated event, not a recurring pattern, to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on one occasion

Replaces 'instance' with 'occasion', emphasizing a specific event or time.

in only one example

Directly points to a singular illustration or demonstration.

on only one occasion

Adds emphasis to the uniqueness of the event.

in one particular case

Highlights a specific example or situation being considered.

in just one situation

Focuses on the singularity of the circumstances.

in one isolated event

Emphasizes the uniqueness and separation of the occurrence.

as an isolated incident

Underscores the event's lack of connection to other events.

in a unique situation

Focuses on the exceptional nature of the situation.

as a one-off

Informal way of saying something happened only once.

for once

Highlights that something is happening differently than usual.

FAQs

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

Use "in a single instance" to emphasize that something happened only once. For example: "In a single instance, the experiment yielded unexpected results."

What are some alternatives to "in a single instance"?

You can use alternatives like "on one occasion", "in one particular case", or "as a one-off depending on the context".

Is "in a single instance" formal or informal?

"In a single instance" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "on one occasion" might be preferred in academic writing.

What's the difference between "in a single instance" and "in general"?

"In a single instance" refers to a specific, isolated occurrence, while "in general" refers to overall trends or common patterns. They have opposite meanings.