in two instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in two instances' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to two specific occasions, times, or examples. For example, "I have seen this mistake in two instances: once when I was proofreading a paper and again when someone showed me a report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, in reaching his conclusion, Judge Sauls applied erroneous standards in two instances.

The New York Times

The notion of trading territory for peace was successful in two instances - Egypt and Jordan.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he was also in command in two instances when police tactics received considerable criticism.

The New York Times

Also, in two instances, relationships began when I was asked to be monogamous.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In two instances, however, it seemed to avoid the evidence, or at least excuse it.

The New York Times - Books

In two instances, a left-hander was brought in to face him as the first batter.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think subscription models work best in two instances," he said.

The New York Times

In two instances, judges have ruled against Righthaven in pretrial motions.

The New York Times

In two instances, caseworkers found that Ms. Williams had left her children for substantial periods of time.

The New York Times

In two instances companies chose not to sell foods in California because they would have had to carry warnings.

The New York Times - Food

Hours later, detectives began visiting the homes of the people, Fox News employees, in two instances arriving after midnight.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in two instances" to clearly and concisely indicate that something has occurred twice or that there are two specific examples of something. It provides a specific numerical reference, which can add precision to your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "in two instances" in casual conversation or informal writing can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "twice" or "a couple of times" to maintain a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in two instances" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the frequency or number of occurrences of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in two instances" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that specifies that something has occurred twice. Ludwig AI confirms this. As evidenced by the numerous examples, it commonly appears in news and media, scientific literature, and encyclopedic entries, indicating a preference for neutral to formal contexts. While simpler alternatives exist, "in two instances" provides a specific and precise way to quantify events or situations. Its usage is generally straightforward, but be mindful of the level of formality appropriate for your writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in two examples

Directly specifies that 'instances' refers to specific examples.

on two occasions

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

in two situations

Substitutes 'instances' with 'situations', highlighting specific circumstances.

in a couple of cases

Uses 'couple' instead of 'two', suggesting a small number of examples.

on a pair of occasions

More formal and emphasizes the 'pair' of occasions.

twice

A more concise alternative that directly states the number of occurrences.

in a few cases

While not strictly equivalent, implies a small number of occurrences, similar to 'in two instances'.

in a brace of examples

An archaic phrase that means 'a pair'.

in a duplet of instances

Rarely used but means a set of two similar things or events that happen at the same time.

in a binary number of instances

Rare and technical, but more literal.

FAQs

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

You can use "in two instances" to specify that something happened on two separate occasions or that there are two examples of something. For example, "The error occurred "in two instances" during the trial run."

What are some alternatives to "in two instances"?

Alternatives include "twice", "on two occasions", or "in a couple of cases". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

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

Both are grammatically correct, but "on two occasions" emphasizes the specific timing of events, while ""in two instances"" simply highlights the existence of two examples or occurrences.

When is it appropriate to use "in two instances"?

It's appropriate when you need to be specific about the number of times something has occurred or when you want to emphasize that there are two distinct examples. It works well in formal writing, reports, and analyses.