in three instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in three instances' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to three specific situations or times. For example, "We have observed a decrease in productivity in three instances - October, December, and March."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anderson said the umpire, Dan Iassogna, wrote that Anderson had used profane language in three instances.

The New York Times

In three instances this season, front-office officials have stepped into the coaching vacuums.

The New York Times

(A), and substituted "eighteenth month" for "sixth month" in three instances in cl.

Cornell University

America has so far used this rule in three instances, all in textiles.

The Economist

In three instances Cain affirmed that Muslims would not be allowed to serve in his Cabinet or administration.

The Washington Post

Lt. James Storms of the Parsippany police said more than $500 was stolen from First Union bank accounts in three instances.

The New York Times

A map on April 24 with the "Going To" column, about Ho Chi Minh City, misspelled the term for Street in three instances.

The New York Times

He slapped a prisoner in three instances: twice when prisoner failed to heed his orders and once when prisoner was laughing at him.

University of California, Berkeley

The airline also revealed that in three instances, the main battery had failed to start normally and had had to be replaced, along with the charger.

The New York Times

Dissection-related stenosis improved from 90 ± 22% to 31 ± 13%, with tandem stents needed in three instances to seal the inflow zone.

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience

The administration has also said that waterboarding is no longer in use, though officials acknowledged last month that it had been used in three instances before the middle of 2003, including against Mr. Mohammed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in three instances", ensure each instance is distinct and relevant to your main point for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid relying on "in three instances" as a crutch. If more examples are available, provide a summary or a more comprehensive analysis instead of artificially limiting yourself to three.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in three instances" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the frequency or number of occurrences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It helps to quantify and limit the scope of an event or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in three instances" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase across various writing contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most common in science and news media, serving to offer specific, limited examples to bolster an argument. For alternative expressions, consider "on three occasions" or "in three cases". When using this phrase, ensure each instance is distinct and relevant. Avoid overusing it; if more examples are available, provide a summary or more in-depth analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on three occasions

Replaces 'instances' with 'occasions', emphasizing specific times or events.

in three cases

Substitutes 'instances' with 'cases', focusing on specific situations or examples.

three times

Simplifies the phrase to indicate frequency, removing the emphasis on specific instances.

in three separate situations

Replaces 'instances' with 'situations', highlighting the context of the occurrences.

on three different occasions

Adds emphasis by specifying that occasions were different from each other.

in only three instances

Highlights the limited nature of the occurrences by adding emphasis on the word "only".

in a few instances

Generalizes the number of occurrences while maintaining the sense of rarity.

in three unique examples

Emphasizes the distinct nature of each occurrence by using 'unique examples'.

on a handful of occasions

Implies a small number of occurrences, adding a more descriptive element.

in some instances, specifically three

Adds specificity to a more general statement about occurrences.

FAQs

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

Use "in three instances" to highlight specific occurrences of something. For example, "The system failed "in three instances" last month, causing significant data loss."

What can I say instead of "in three instances"?

You can use alternatives like "on three occasions", "in three cases", or "three times", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "in three instances" or "on three occasions"?

Both ""in three instances"" and "on three occasions" are correct and often interchangeable. "In three instances" might be preferred when referring to specific occurrences or examples, while "on three occasions" emphasizes specific events.

What does "in three instances" imply about the frequency of an event?

"In three instances" suggests that the event occurred a limited number of times, indicating it is not a frequent or widespread occurrence. It implies that there are only three specific examples to point out.