in the instance that

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the instance that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to introduce a conditional clause, typically followed by a consequence. For example, "In the instance that you fail the test, you will need to retake it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Poland already has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, with terminations legally permitted only when the life of the foetus is under threat, when there is a grave threat to the health of the mother, and in the instance that the pregnancy arose from rape or incest.

The Guardian

Presumably the police would only become involved in the instance that – God forbid – the image had fallen into the wrong hands, and sometimes the knowledge that this has happened can cause a young person enough pain without them being prosecuted too.

The Guardian - Opinion

Poland already has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, with terminations legally permitted only when the life of the foetus is under threat, when there is a grave threat to the health of the mother, and in the instance that the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest.

The Guardian

Safe sex and wearing a condom is everyone's responsibility   In the instance that a person becomes infected and is not diagnosed until after they have had sex with one or more partner, a HIV clinics can help with what can be a very difficult conversation.

Independent

The referendum for the Abyei region to determine whether it would be part of the north or the south in the instance that the latter opted for independence initially had been scheduled to occur at the same time as the southern independence vote.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the instance that any of these foreign honorary members had an affiliation as an instructor at an American institution, they were included in the sample.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

In the instances that have been worth penning, the so-called "generational bard" has been shrill, vindictive and has easily played the victim, especially when it came to pointing fingers at her infamous exes and celebrity boyfriends du jour.

Los Angeles Times

In the instances that protein profiles corroborate inferences from comparative transcript analyses, these observations have been used to predict physiological differences between species as well as candidate genes for adaptive diversification.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

It was the medium, in this instance, that was the novelty.

The New York Times

In this instance that meant winning the toss on a misty, moisty morning.

The Guardian - Sport

It was not until Mr. Shaikh's appeal, the trial in the second instance, that the issue of his mental illness was raised by his attorneys.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context; while correct, this phrase is relatively formal and might not be suitable for casual communication.

Common error

Avoid using "in the instance that" when simpler alternatives like "if" or "in case" would suffice, especially in everyday conversation. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted and unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the instance that" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a clause that expresses a condition upon which another action or event depends. Ludwig examples show it connecting a condition to a consequence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the instance that" is a grammatically correct conditional conjunction used to introduce a formal condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it connects a condition to a consequence and it's considered acceptable in written English. While not overly common, appearing mostly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, it serves to clearly outline requirements and possible outcomes. When using the phrase, consider the audience and context to avoid sounding overly formal, and explore simpler alternatives for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the event that

More formal alternative, emphasizing the possibility of something happening.

if it happens that

Slightly more explicit about the condition being met.

should it occur that

Highly formal and somewhat archaic, suitable for legal or official contexts.

on the condition that

Highlights the requirement or prerequisite for something else to happen.

assuming that

Implies a presumption or expectation that something is true.

provided that

Similar to "on the condition that", but can also imply a stipulation.

in circumstances where

Focuses on the specific situation or set of circumstances.

if ever

Implies a low probability or rare occurrence.

when and if

Emphasizes the uncertainty of both the timing and the occurrence.

in a situation where

Highlights a particular set of circumstances leading to a result.

FAQs

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

Use "in the instance that" to introduce a conditional clause where a specific condition needs to be met for a particular outcome to occur. For example, "In the instance that the payment is not received, the service will be suspended."

What are some alternatives to "in the instance that"?

You can use alternatives such as "in the event that", "if it happens that", or simply "if" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "in the instance that" considered formal language?

Yes, "in the instance that" is generally considered a formal phrase. It's appropriate for legal documents, official communications, and other situations where precision and formality are important. In less formal contexts, consider using "if" or "in case".

When should I avoid using "in the instance that"?

Avoid using "in the instance that" in casual conversations or informal writing. In these situations, simpler and more direct alternatives like "if", "when", or "in case" are often more appropriate.