in infrequent instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in infrequent instances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations that occur rarely or not often. Example: "In infrequent instances, the weather can be unpredictable, leading to sudden changes in temperature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wakefield told him, in a private knuckling tutorial, that in those infrequent instances when he'd be throwing fastballs, he ought to throw them slower than he was capable of he ought to throw them from a half-assed knuckleball windup, that is, not a Tiant Twist so as not to tip the batter off.

The New Yorker

Wakefield told him, in a private knuckling tutorial, that in those infrequent instances when he'd be throwing fastballs, he ought to throw them slower than he was capable of — he ought to throw them from a half-assed knuckleball windup, that is, not a Tiant Twist — so as not to tip the batter off.

The New Yorker

Plus, in the infrequent instance there is a problem with that infallible system, there's usually a pretty good explanation for it.

Huffington Post

Reviewing the DVD release for the Sex Gore Mutants website, Stuart Willis noted that the disc contained periods of "murkiness or softness in the picture" and a few "(infrequent) instances of muffling", all of which he put down to the original production values of the film.

Wikipedia

Typically the company has been very open about the infrequent instances when amplification into the house is used.

The New York Times - Arts

This resulted in infrequent septal and laterality defect.

Cardiovascular Research

Justice in these instances is too infrequent and too slow.

The New York Times

Although the cumulative incidence of PN with this combination has been approximately 60%, grade 3/4 PN has been infrequent and the neuropathy has, in many instances, been reversible.

Cancer Management and Research

It's interesting that while there is a long history of renting for infrequent occasions (for instance, tuxedos for men), the recent entrants in the luxury good space facilitate everyday luxury.

Huffington Post

The dynamic modulation of interhemispheric inhibition may account for why healthy subjects' performance is typically explained by statistical facilitation, while there are also infrequent, yet clear, instances of coactivation in the healthy brain.

Plosone

In some instances?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in infrequent instances" to clearly indicate that an event or situation does not occur regularly or commonly. This helps avoid misinterpretations and sets the right expectation for the reader.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "in infrequent instances" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "rarely" or "occasionally" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in infrequent instances" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the circumstances under which an action or event occurs, specifically highlighting its rare or uncommon nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical status.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in infrequent instances" serves to denote situations or occurrences that are not common, aligning with Ludwig's assessment of its grammatical correctness. While the phrase is valid, it leans towards formality and may not always be the most suitable choice for everyday language. As Ludwig AI suggests, simpler alternatives like "rarely" or "occasionally" can often be more appropriate. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, using "in infrequent instances" provides emphasis on the rarity of the event being described, setting specific events apart from the norm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on rare occasions

Emphasizes the rarity of the event.

rarely

A simple and direct way to express that something does not happen often.

in rare cases

Focuses on the few instances where something happens.

infrequently

Directly conveys the lack of frequency.

seldomly

Adverb meaning rarely or almost never.

scarcely ever

Emphasizes how uncommon something is.

hardly ever

Similar to 'scarcely ever', stressing the infrequency.

on occasion

Similar to 'from time to time' but can imply a more formal setting.

once in a while

Implies that something happens sporadically.

from time to time

Suggests that something happens occasionally, but not regularly.

FAQs

How can I use "in infrequent instances" in a sentence?

You can use "in infrequent instances" to describe events or situations that do not happen often. For example: "In infrequent instances, the weather can be unpredictable, leading to sudden changes in temperature."

What phrases are similar to "in infrequent instances"?

Alternatives to "in infrequent instances" include "on rare occasions", "in rare cases", or "rarely".

Is "in infrequent instances" formal or informal?

"In infrequent instances" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "in infrequent instances" and "occasionally"?

"In infrequent instances" emphasizes the rarity of an occurrence more strongly than "occasionally", which simply means 'sometimes' without necessarily implying rarity.