in instances when

USAGE SUMMARY

"in instances when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express that in certain situations, conditions, or circumstances. For example: "In instances when it's hard to find common ground, it's important to find a way to compromise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In instances when clients and businesses overlap, they will be managed jointly.

The New York Times

Furthermore, flies plan a takeoff direction even in instances when they choose not to jump.

Current Biology

Pharmacologists say it is not fair to blame doctors alone in instances when warnings are not heeded.

The New York Times - Science

(xii) Surgical caps or hoods and/or shoe covers or boots shall be worn in instances when gross contamination can reasonably be anticipated (e.g., autopsies, orthopaedic surgery).

Cornell University

In instances when disease is not detected or treated in time, researchers are developing tools that assist in the recovery process.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Or, in instances when the brain's ability to heal itself reaches a limit, the researchers may find other ways to restore function.

Stanford University

"There's also probably a lack of notification by healthcare professionals in instances when people are expressing suicidal or in certain cases homicidal thoughts or tendencies".

The Guardian

"It's been very effective in instances when you're mapping patterns of unsatisfactory performance," said John Brown, director of the GIS Project at Essential Information.

The New York Times - Tech

In instances when warnings have been given and vessels were evacuated from harbours or restricted from entering harbours, less damage occurred18.

Nature

Over the past few decades, molecular techniques have been proposed for elasmobranch species identification, particularly in instances when traditional taxonomic methods fail17,18,19,20,21,22.

Nature

They also report that many other improvement ideas have emerged from this process, even in instances when the threats did not prove to be substantive.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity, consider using "when" as a more concise alternative, especially if the context already makes it clear that you are referring to specific situations.

Common error

While "in instances when" is grammatically correct, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "when", "if", or "in cases where" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in instances when" functions as a prepositional phrase followed by a relative clause, introducing specific conditions or circumstances. It acts as an adverbial modifier, providing context for the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

47%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in instances when" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that introduces specific conditions or circumstances. Ludwig AI validated its correct usage and its high applicability in multiple contexts. While its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for professional, academic, and news-related writing, it's important to avoid overusing the phrase and consider shorter alternatives like "when" or "if" for conciseness. This guide provides practical tips and addresses common usage errors to help you effectively incorporate "in instances when" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in cases when

Replaces "instances" with "cases", offering a slightly less formal alternative.

when

A shorter, more direct alternative, suitable when the context already implies specific situations.

in situations where

Substitutes "instances" with "situations", providing a synonym with comparable formality.

on occasions when

Replaces "instances" with "occasions", suggesting specific instances that occur periodically.

under circumstances where

Offers a more formal and specific tone, suitable for describing particular conditions.

in the event that

Highlights a conditional scenario, shifting the focus to potential occurrences.

if

A concise and universally applicable alternative, suitable for various contexts.

when and if

Combines condition and time, suggesting a condition that must be met in time.

depending on whether

Implies that the outcome is conditional upon a certain condition.

subject to conditions where

Indicates that something is contingent upon meeting specific criteria.

FAQs

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

Use "in instances when" to specify particular conditions or circumstances. For example, "In instances when the data is incomplete, we rely on estimations."

What are some alternatives to "in instances when"?

You can use alternatives such as "in cases when", "when", or "if" depending on the level of formality and desired emphasis.

Is "in instances where" interchangeable with "in instances when"?

While similar, "in instances where" typically refers to location or situation, whereas "in instances when" refers to time or condition. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "in instances when" and "if"?

"In instances when" is more formal and specific than "if". Use "in instances when" for precision and "if" for general conditions.