in various instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in various instances" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to multiple specific situations or examples where something occurs or is applicable. Example: "In various instances, the results of the experiment contradicted the initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

In various instances, a character is jealous of, or feels threatened by, her nanny; her housekeeper; her peers.

The New Yorker

At times, Snyder's thesis is so elastic that it stretches into formlessness: democratic transitions can, in various instances, exhibit all the attributes of his theory.

The New York Times - Books

They used this to identify how individual neurons responded to calls in various instances, like when it was noisy or quiet.

The New York Times - Science

"Whilst we consider that James Murdoch's conduct in various instances fell short of the standard to be expected of the chief executive officer and chairman, we do not find that James Murdoch's retention as a non-executive director of Sky means that Sky is not fit and proper to hold broadcast licences.

The Guardian

It considers that: "James Murdoch's conduct in various instances fell short of the standard to be expected of the chief executive officer and chairman," and is only prepared to add: "We do not find that James Murdoch's retention as a non-executive director of Sky means that Sky is not fit and proper to hold broadcast licences".

The Guardian

Now his election as pope is focusing scrutiny on his role as the most prominent leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Argentina, an institution that remains under withering criticism for its role in failing to publicly resist — and in various instances actively supporting — the military dictatorship during a period when as many as 30,000 people are thought to have been killed or disappeared.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

In conclusion, various instances of enzymes that also act in RNA-metabolism have been previously reported.

Plosone

These adaptations have been shown to be more prominent in N. fodiens [ 30] but, when these species live in sympatry, various instances of character displacement and convergence have been demonstrated [ 31, 32].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

In support of this view, Alters quoted various instances in which scientists have used the word "believe" and its cognates in the same way in which others may use various forms of the word "accept," and he bolstered his argument with the assertion that students would not likely distinguish between these two terms (Alters [1997]).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

But there are also the various instances in Rodriguez's Yankees career in which he has been directly or indirectly linked to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The New York Times - Sports

The datasets allow researchers to make one-to-one comparisons of algorithms in order to solve various instances of the radiation therapy treatment planning problem in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), including beam angle optimization, volumetric modulated arc therapy and direct aperture optimization.

GigaScience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "in various instances" with a more specific phrase if the context allows, such as "in several studies" or "in many cases", to enhance clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "in various instances" as a filler phrase. Ensure that each instance you cite is relevant and contributes meaningfully to your overall point. Vagueness weakens the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in various instances" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by providing context regarding the frequency or occurrence of an action or event. Ludwig examples illustrate this by showing the phrase introducing specific situations or examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in various instances" serves to introduce multiple examples or situations where something occurs, adding weight to an argument or observation. While grammatically correct and readily understood, it's most at home in neutral to formal contexts such as news reports, scientific papers, and business communications. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial phrase, providing supporting evidence to strengthen a claim. For alternative phrasings, consider options like "in several cases" or "in numerous situations" to tailor your language to the specific context. Bear in mind, per the writing guidance, to avoid vagueness; ensure that each instance cited is relevant and adds meaningful information. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English, though perhaps not the most vivid or concise option available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in several cases

Emphasizes a limited number of occurrences.

in numerous situations

Highlights the diverse circumstances where something happens.

in different examples

Focuses on providing multiple illustrations.

in many circumstances

Stresses the wide range of conditions involved.

on multiple occasions

Highlights the frequency of events.

in diverse situations

Emphasizes the variety and heterogeneity of the instances.

in selected instances

Highlights that only some instances are considered, not all.

in specific cases

Indicates that the occurrences are well-defined and particular.

at times

Indicates that something happens occasionally, without specifying how often or in what context.

from time to time

Suggests that something happens periodically, but not regularly.

FAQs

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

Use "in various instances" to introduce multiple examples or situations where a particular phenomenon occurs. For example, "In various instances, the experiment yielded unexpected results."

What are some alternatives to "in various instances"?

You can use alternatives like "in several cases", "in numerous situations", or "in different examples" depending on the context.

Is "in various instances" formal or informal?

"In various instances" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

Which is correct, "in various instance" or "in various instances"?

"In various instances" is correct. The plural form "instances" is needed because "various" implies multiple occurrences.