instance of

USAGE SUMMARY

"instance of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe an example or occurrence of something, or an example which is typical of a larger group. For example: "This is an instance of the dangers of drinking too much alcohol."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is another instance of phonological conditioning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was a rare instance of restraint.

The New York Times

We had an instance of that recently.

Independent

Take the instance of annealing.

Cornell University

b) an instance of mimicking.

Princeton University

An instance of a class.

Cornell University

To create an instance of.

Cornell University

Here is another instance of the rule.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

An instance of the default view factory.

Stanford University

Instantiate means "to create an instance of".

Cornell University

Here's one instance of the rule.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or programming contexts, reserve this phrase for the relationship between an object and its class template.

Common error

Do not use "instance of" when you mean 'incidence of'. While an 'instance' refers to a single occurrence, 'incidence' refers to the frequency or rate at which something occurs. For example, use 'a rare instance of error' for one mistake, but 'the incidence of errors' to discuss how often they happen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instance of" serves as a complex noun phrase that links a specific occurrence or object to a general class or category. It is grammatically classified as a noun followed by a prepositional phrase. According to Ludwig, it is perfectly correct and widely used across diverse registers to establish a type-token relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

45%

News & Media

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "instance of" is a robust and highly reliable linguistic tool used to bridge the gap between abstract concepts and concrete reality. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a standard and correct expression, particularly favored in rigorous environments like Academia and Science. Whether it is used to describe a rare behavioral trait in psychology or an object instantiation in computer programming, the phrase provides a level of formal clarity that simpler alternatives like "example of" might lack. Writers should utilize it when they want to emphasize that a specific event is not just a random occurrence, but a representative part of a defined category or rule.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

example of

More common and slightly less formal; focuses on illustrating a general rule.

case of

Often implies a specific situation or a medical/legal context.

occurrence of

Emphasizes the happening or existence of an event in time or space.

illustration of

Suggests that the example serves to make a point clearer or more visible.

manifestation of

Implies that an abstract quality or concept is becoming perceptible.

specimen of

Refers to a physical or scientific sample representing a whole group.

demonstration of

Focuses on the act of proving or showing a particular trait or skill.

exemplar of

Suggests the example is an ideal or perfect model of its kind.

sampling of

Indicates a small part or selection meant to show what the whole is like.

representation of

Implies the specific item stands in for or symbolizes the broader category.

FAQs

How to use "instance of" in a sentence?

You use it to point out a specific example of a larger trend. For example: 'The recent storm was yet another "instance of" extreme weather patterns affecting the region.'.

What can I say instead of "instance of"?

Depending on the tone, you can use "example of", "case of", or "occurrence of".

Is "instance of" formal?

Yes, it is considered neutral to formal. It is highly appropriate for academic papers, professional reports and technical documentation, where precision is valued over casual tone.

What is the difference between "instance of" and "example of"?

While often interchangeable, "example of" is broader and more common in everyday speech. "instance of" is slightly more clinical and is preferred when discussing occurrences that validate a rule or scientific classification.