individual instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "individual instances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to separate occurrences or examples of a particular phenomenon or situation. Example: "In this study, we will analyze individual instances of consumer behavior to understand purchasing patterns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And this is the rub: individual instances are unique.

The Guardian

Objects are merely individual instances of a particular class.

The Economist

"It really helps them to have some individual instances, some examples," Mr. Harper said.

The New York Times

-Why and how can individual instances of false information and plagiarism threaten a news agency?

The New York Times

"What we're dealing with is individual instances where people behaved disgracefully," the report concluded.

The New York Times

"People feel individual instances of violence against sex workers [are] going down.

The Guardian

Tells about the influence of permissiveness on love, both in the social atmosphere & in individual instances..

The New Yorker

He added, "Those were individual instances and we condemned them as a group".

The New Yorker

Tells about the influence of permissiveness on love, both in the social atmosphere & in individual instances.

The New Yorker

"We don't comment on individual instances but, in general, all retractions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Guardian

But they're less bothered by individual instances than by the sense that the whole system is rigged to favor élites.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "individual instances" when you want to emphasize the uniqueness and separateness of each example you are discussing. This phrasing is particularly useful in contexts where you are contrasting specific examples with general trends or systemic issues.

Common error

Avoid using "individual instances" when "examples" or "cases" would suffice. The added word "individual" can sometimes be redundant and make your writing sound unnecessarily formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "individual instances" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies specific and separate occurrences within a larger context. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "individual instances" is a grammatically sound and widely used noun phrase that serves to emphasize specific examples or occurrences. As Ludwig AI states, it is usable in written English. Its prevalence across diverse sources, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications, underscores its versatility and reliability. When writing, remember to use it deliberately to spotlight unique examples, avoiding redundancy when simpler terms like "examples" or "cases" suffice. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "individual instances" into your writing to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual cases

Direct synonym focusing on separate instances.

specific cases

Focuses on particular occurrences, emphasizing the specificity of the examples.

particular examples

Highlights the exemplifying nature of the instances, stressing their role as illustrations.

distinct occurrences

Emphasizes the separate and independent nature of each instance.

isolated incidents

Implies that the instances are self-contained and not necessarily part of a larger pattern.

unique situations

Highlights the distinct and unrepeatable nature of the instances.

separate events

Focuses on the instances as discrete and temporally bounded occurrences.

single occurrences

Emphasizes the singularity and non-duplication of each instance.

discrete examples

Highlights the instances as being individually distinguishable and separate.

singular examples

Stresses that each instance is a single and distinct representation of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "individual instances" to refer to specific occurrences or examples of something. For example, "The study examined "individual instances" of fraud to identify common patterns."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "individual instances"?

Similar phrases include "specific cases", "particular examples", or "distinct occurrences". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "individual instances" or "specific instances"?

Both "individual instances" and "specific instances" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Specific instances" might be slightly more common in everyday language, but "individual instances" can emphasize the uniqueness of each case.

When should I use "individual instances" versus focusing on broader trends?

Use "individual instances" when you want to highlight particular examples to illustrate a point or to contrast them with general patterns. If you're more concerned with overall trends, focus on statistical data and general observations rather than "individual instances".