in individual cases

USAGE SUMMARY

'in individual cases' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to specific situations or exceptions to a more general rule. For example, "In individual cases, exceptions may be made to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are not interested in individual cases.

The Guardian

I don't get involved in individual cases".

The Guardian

This may be true in individual cases.

The New York Times

In individual cases, however, the notion is offensive.

The Economist

Deciding the proper balance in individual cases can be hard.

The New York Times

The Home Office said it did not comment in individual cases.

The Guardian

The real difficulty facing clinicians in individual cases would remain whichever course was adopted".

The Guardian

Missouri's attorney general's office says the law lets judges allow voting in individual cases.

The New York Times

"Thus it might be waived in individual cases without working a fundamental alteration," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Sentences should be imposed by judges in individual cases, not by legislators in categories of cases.

The Washington Post

These provisions, if enacted, will require careful scrutiny by judges in individual cases.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in individual cases" to introduce exceptions or specific instances that deviate from a general rule or guideline. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid making broad statements without acknowledging that "in individual cases", exceptions might exist. Failing to do so can make your writing seem rigid or inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in individual cases" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the scope or applicability of a statement. It indicates that the statement applies to specific instances, rather than being universally true, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in individual cases" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce exceptions or specific instances to a general statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. Its purpose is to qualify a statement, acknowledging that real-world situations may not always conform to broad rules or guidelines.

Alternatives such as ""in specific instances"" or ""on a case-by-case basis"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "in individual cases" to add precision to your writing and avoid overgeneralizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in specific instances

Replaces "cases" with "instances", emphasizing a particular occurrence.

in particular situations

Substitutes "individual cases" with "particular situations", focusing on context-dependent scenarios.

on a case-by-case basis

Replaces the prepositional phrase with an adverbial phrase describing a process of evaluation.

in isolated instances

Highlights the rarity or infrequency of the specific cases being considered.

for certain cases

Emphasizes that the consideration applies only to a subset of all possible cases.

in exceptional circumstances

Focuses on situations that deviate from the norm, requiring special attention.

under certain conditions

Highlights the conditional aspect, implying that specific criteria must be met.

in select scenarios

Replaces "cases" with "scenarios", suggesting a more hypothetical or planned context.

for some individuals

Shifts the focus to the people involved, rather than the situations themselves.

with particular examples

Highlights the use of specific examples to illustrate a point.

FAQs

How can I use "in individual cases" in a sentence?

Use "in individual cases" to specify instances where a general rule might not apply. For example, "The policy applies to all employees, but "in individual cases", exceptions may be granted by the manager."

What are some alternatives to "in individual cases"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "in specific instances", "on a case-by-case basis", or "in particular situations" as alternatives to "in individual cases".

Is it redundant to say "in individual cases"?

While "in individual cases" might seem somewhat redundant, it emphasizes that the consideration is focused on specific, separate instances, rather than a general rule. Its use is grammatically sound and commonly accepted.

What is the difference between "in individual cases" and "in general"?

"In general" refers to a broad or typical scenario, while ""in individual cases"" highlights exceptions or specific situations that deviate from the norm. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum of application.