in a specific instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a specific instance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular case or example that illustrates a point or situation. Example: "In a specific instance, the results of the experiment contradicted the initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Funder and Block draw a distinction between the ego-control model, in which delayed gratification is seen as a general tendency to contain motivational impulses (whether or not it is adaptive in a specific instance), and the ego-resiliency model (supported by Mischel's research), in which delayed gratification is seen as a skill that arises only when it is adaptive.

Wikipedia

14 In this experiential approach, performing an action in a specific instance and considering its effects is precedent to generalisation.

BMJ Open

Given the bewildering complexity of what is possible in evolution, attempting to say what will happen in a specific instance may appear futile.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Allele frequencies in the surviving population may differ from those in the original population, and some alleles might be missing altogether Sexual selection (only covered in homework) A specific instance of natural selection.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

In other words, a specific instance of the tool has to be used according to its desired output.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Though these protections are in place, how a specific instance of insubordination is framed for the court will make or break the servants ability to employ them.

Vice

Whereas the question of community responses to GM is often treated as a special issue, these findings support the conclusion that responses to the concept of GM content in food in Australia are substantially a specific instance of a general sensitivity towards the integrity of the food supply.

New Biotechnology

We take the nodes in area A as a specific instance to analyze the performance of the protocol because the operation procedure in other contention areas is similar as in this instance.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Both Dave Parry, who works with officials in the Big Ten, and Verle Sorgen, who works with the Pac-10 officials, could not recall a specific instance in their conferences in which a player was given a punishment, like a suspension, in the aftermath of an illegal or dangerous hit.

The New York Times - Sports

The crux of the quantum adiabatic algorithm which rests on the adiabatic theorem lies in the possibility of encoding a specific instance of a given decision problem in a certain Hamiltonian (this can be done by capitalizing on the well-known fact that any decision problem can be derived from an optimization problem by incorporating into it a numerical bound as an additional parameter).

SEP

In this section, we describe a specific instance of the POBDS model with correlated measurements in (1)–(3), which allows the application of the proposed BKF-CORR and BKS-CORR estimators to Boolean gene regulatory networks observed through noisy correlated gene-expression data.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the specific instance you are referencing is clearly defined and relevant to the overall context.

Common error

Avoid using "in a specific instance" without providing enough detail about the instance itself. Vague references weaken your argument and confuse readers. Be specific and clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a specific instance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by providing contextual information about when or how something occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and is used to introduce a particular example or case.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a specific instance" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a concrete example, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is versatile across various contexts, including science, news, and general writing, though predominantly found in scientific literature. While not the most frequent phrase, it is valuable for adding precision and clarity to your writing. Remember to provide sufficient details when using this phrase to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "in a particular case" or "for example" to vary your phrasing and ensure your writing remains clear and impactful. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "in a specific instance" to enhance your arguments and engage your readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a particular case

Replaces "specific instance" with "particular case", implying a focus on a single occurrence.

in a certain situation

Substitutes "specific instance" with "certain situation", emphasizing the circumstances surrounding an event.

in a given scenario

Replaces "specific instance" with "given scenario", highlighting a hypothetical or presented situation.

in this particular situation

Adds "this" to specify that the current situation is being discussed.

on one occasion

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression indicating a single occurrence.

for example

Offers a direct way to introduce an illustrative case.

as an illustration

Highlights the illustrative nature of the example.

in such an event

Focuses on the conditional nature of the instance.

under such circumstances

Emphasizes the set of conditions at play.

on this occasion

Highlights the time based singularity of the instance.

FAQs

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

Use "in a specific instance" to introduce a particular case or example that illustrates a broader point. For example, "In a specific instance, the experiment yielded unexpected results".

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

You can use alternatives such as "in a particular case", "in a certain situation", or "for example" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "in a specific instance" and "in a particular instance"?

While both phrases are similar, "in a specific instance" emphasizes the detailed and precise nature of the example, while "in a particular instance" simply highlights one individual case.

When is it appropriate to use "in a specific instance" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "in a specific instance" when you want to provide a clear, detailed example to support your argument or explanation, making your writing more precise and persuasive. It works well in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.