instances of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instances of them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to specific occurrences or examples of a particular subject or group. Example: "In the study, we observed several instances of them exhibiting unusual behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

In object-oriented languages, classes are ADTs and objects are instances of them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Formal logic as a study is concerned with inference forms rather than with particular instances of them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, most software tools lack support for exchange of information about visualisation notations (both definitions of notations and instances of them).

Journal of Visual Languages & Computing

"These spaces were never talked about," said the deacon, the Rev. Edgar Hopper, an agile, bald gentleman of 79. "People knew there were instances of them being referred to as slave galleries".

The New York Times

"When the industry banned the shipment of lithium-metal batteries, we saw instances of them being passed off as lithium ion batteries," said the expert, who was not authorized to speak publicly.

The Guardian

Now the tribe of Sophists which we are investigating is not easily caught or defined; and the world has long ago agreed, that if great subjects are to be adequately treated, they must be studied in the lesser and easier instances of them before we proceed to the greatest of all.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Much attention has been recently devoted to those machine learning procedures known as kernel methods, the Support Vector Machines being an instance of them.

Neurocomputing

Then familiar logical omniscience problems arise, and we have just seen yet another instance of them.

SEP

"This is another instance of them going off the deep end on this," House Minority Leader Chad Campbell (D-Phoenix) told HuffPost.

Huffington Post

"I don't know of any instance of them reversing themselves, "Jag Davies, director of communications strategy for the Drug Policy Alliance, told me of the government and scheduling decisions.

Vice

So far though, the Sony hack is the only clear instance of them using digital intrusions in a threat-making way".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instances of them", ensure the pronoun "them" clearly refers to a previously mentioned group or concept to avoid ambiguity. For example, "We studied the effects of the drug and documented several "instances of them" causing side effects".

Common error

Avoid using "instances of them" without a clear antecedent for "them". Ensure the reader knows exactly what "them" refers to. For instance, instead of saying "There were instances of them", specify what "them" represents: "There were instances of the new software crashing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instances of them" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It typically indicates specific occurrences or examples related to a previously mentioned subject. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig, which identifies it as grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "instances of them" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to denote particular occurrences or examples related to a specific subject. While Ludwig confirms the phrase is correct, it's important to ensure the pronoun "them" has a clear referent. The phrase appears most frequently in news, media, and science contexts and it's important to note that it has some good alternatives like "examples of them" or "cases of them". When writing, avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what "them" represents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examples of those

Replaces "them" with "those", slightly altering the specificity of the reference.

cases of those

Substitutes "instances" with "cases", providing a more general term for occurrences and replacing "them" with "those", slightly altering the specificity of the reference.

occurrences of those

Replaces "instances" with "occurrences" and "them" with "those", offering a more formal alternative.

examples of it

Replaces "them" with "it", indicating a singular or collective referent.

cases of it

Substitutes "instances" with "cases" and "them" with "it", changing the reference to singular or collective.

times when they

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the temporal aspect of the occurrences, replacing "instances of them" with a clause.

situations where they

Replaces "instances" with "situations", focusing on the circumstances surrounding the events.

occasions when they

Substitutes "instances" with "occasions", highlighting the specific times something happens.

moments when they

Replaces "instances" with "moments", emphasizing the brevity or particularity of the events.

situations involving them

Rephrases the phrase to focus on the involvement of "them" in certain situations, rather than just instances.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to using "instances of them"?

You can use alternatives like "examples of them", "cases of them", or "occurrences of them" depending on the context.

How do I ensure clarity when using "instances of them" in writing?

Always make sure the pronoun "them" has a clear and immediate referent in your sentence or the preceding sentences. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what "them" refers to.

Is it grammatically correct to use "instances of them"?

Yes, "instances of them" is grammatically correct, but ensure proper context and reference. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard English grammar rules.

What is the difference between "instances of them" and "examples of them"?

While similar, "instances" often implies specific occurrences or events, whereas "examples" can refer to broader illustrations or representations. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.