in the earlier instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the earlier instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to a previous example or situation that has already been mentioned in the text. Example: "In the earlier instance, we discussed the impact of climate change on agriculture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the earlier instance, both sides knew that failure to reach agreement would be far more costly to Warner Brothers than to Tony Bennett.

The New York Times

Whereas, in the earlier instance with the FBI, Apple had argued the agency was requesting extraordinary assistance by demanding it deliberately weaken iOS security — and that such a step posed a threat to the security of all iOS users.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If you come across an unclear word more than once, and you figure it out midway through a recording, the professional course of action is to fill it in in the earlier instances too.

WikiHow

For the 800,000-plus homes and businesses that lost power for more than a week twice in just about two months — the earlier instance because of Tropical Storm Irene in August — the conclusions won't come as much of a surprise.

The New York Times

Thus, in the earliest instance, risk stratification could help the orthopedic surgeon to choose the best treatment for each patient.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

It's also possible the committee will have been sent an internal email distribution list by then, detailing who at Facebook knew about the Cambridge Analytica breach in the earliest instance.

TechCrunch

My friend Jack, mentioned in some of the earlier instances of these pieces, has a house on the road that becomes the Trail of the Lonesome Pine.

Vice

For instance, in the earlier example, the cause of action would include the false statement: "I found three roaches in my pasta at that restaurant".

WikiHow

Ensisheim meteorite, meteorite whose descent from the sky onto a wheat field in Alsace (now part of France) in 1492 is one of the earliest instances of a meteorite fall on record.

Encyclopedia Britannica

2) Of course, William A Wellman had very good reason for that closeup of the Hershey bar (1min 46sec) when Gary Cooper throws it on to the bed in Wings - one of the earliest instances of American product placement.

The Guardian - Film

Why was the public-safety exclusion not invoked in these earlier instances of domestic terrorism?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the earlier instance" to clearly refer back to a specific event or situation previously described, especially when comparing it to a subsequent one for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "in the earlier instance" when you actually mean "in the first instance". "Earlier" implies a comparison with something later, while "first" simply indicates the beginning of a sequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the earlier instance" functions as a prepositional phrase, specifically an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying the time or circumstance of an action or state. As Ludwig explains, it helps to refer back to a previous example or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the earlier instance" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to refer back to a previously mentioned event or situation. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in written English. While not the most common phrase, it offers clarity and precision, particularly when drawing comparisons. As a relatively neutral term, this phrase is appropriate for news, science, and general writing. The best practice is to use it when explicitly linking back to a previous point for comparison or contrast. As Ludwig examples showed, some ways to rephrase this sentence could be "previously" or "in the previous case".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the previous case

Similar in meaning, but replaces "instance" with "case", which may be more suitable in some contexts.

in the prior example

Replaces "instance" with "example", emphasizing a specific illustrative situation.

in the former situation

It is used to refer back to the first of two situations or things that have been mentioned.

in the initial scenario

Replaces "instance" with "scenario", which might work better when the instance is a situation with multiple elements.

in the aforementioned situation

A more formal alternative, explicitly referring to a situation already discussed.

in the preceding situation

The word preceding is more specific than "earlier", and this is referring to the situation before the current one.

previously

A more concise way to refer to a prior event or situation, lacking the explicit reference to a specific "instance".

as mentioned earlier

Emphasizes that the topic was brought up at a prior time.

before

A shorter alternative, less formal and lacking the specificity of "instance".

in the first instance

This alternative means at the beginning, in the first place. It is used when something has happened before, but not always.

FAQs

How can I use "in the earlier instance" in a sentence?

You can use "in the earlier instance" to refer back to a previous situation or example that you've already discussed. For example: "We tried method A and method B. "In the earlier instance", method A proved ineffective."

What's a simpler way to say "in the earlier instance"?

Alternatives include "previously", "before", or "in the previous case". The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "in the earlier instance" or can I just rephrase the sentence?

Sometimes, rephrasing the sentence to avoid direct reference is clearer and more concise. For example, instead of "In the earlier instance, the result was negative; however, the second time it was positive," you could say "The result was initially negative but later became positive."

When should I use "in the earlier instance" instead of "in the first instance"?

Use "in the earlier instance" when you are contrasting a previous situation with a later one. Use "in the first instance" when you are describing the initial action or event in a sequence, not necessarily in comparison to something else. For example, "In the first instance, contact customer support; then escalate the issue if needed."