isolated cases

USAGE SUMMARY

"isolated cases" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to individual occurrences of something that are not typical of a larger group or population. For example: "Despite some isolated cases of misconduct, the majority of the company's employees are honest and hardworking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These weren't isolated cases.

The New York Times

These are hardly isolated cases.

The New York Times

Nor are these isolated cases.

The Guardian - Sport

But none of these are isolated cases.

The New York Times

And these are not isolated cases.

The Guardian

My customers are not isolated cases.

The Guardian

These latest are not isolated cases.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it became clear that theirs were not isolated cases.

The New York Times

Many isolated cases of resistant virus have been found.

The New York Times - Health

At the time, these were presented as isolated cases.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Before this is over, we may see more isolated cases here in America.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "isolated cases", ensure you provide context to clarify why these instances are not representative of a larger trend or pattern.

Common error

Avoid generalizing or drawing broad conclusions based solely on "isolated cases". Always consider the overall data and context before making assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "isolated cases" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It identifies specific instances that are not representative of a broader pattern. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "isolated cases" is a frequently used noun phrase that denotes infrequent or exceptional occurrences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, from news reporting to scientific discourse. When employing this phrase, it's essential to provide sufficient context to prevent misinterpretations and avoid drawing broad conclusions based solely on these exceptions. Alternative phrases such as "rare instances" or "sporadic incidents" may be used depending on the desired nuance. While "isolated cases" is widely accepted and understood, clarity and context remain paramount in ensuring effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rare instances

Emphasizes the infrequency and unusual nature of the occurrences.

sporadic incidents

Highlights the irregular and scattered nature of the events.

infrequent events

Focuses on the low frequency of the occurrences.

occasional situations

Highlights the occasional nature of the situation.

singular occurrences

Emphasizes the uniqueness and individuality of each event.

exceptional circumstances

Highlights how the cases deviate from the norm.

unique instances

Focuses on the distinctiveness of the cases.

anomalous situations

Emphasizes that the situation is unexpected and deviates from the norm.

uncommon examples

Highlights the lack of commonality among the cases.

limited incidents

Implies a restricted or small number of occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "isolated cases" in a sentence?

You can use "isolated cases" to describe situations that are not part of a larger pattern. For example, "There were a few "isolated cases" of fraud, but the company's overall financial health remains strong."

What phrases are similar to "isolated cases"?

Similar phrases include "rare instances", "sporadic incidents", or "infrequent events", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to draw conclusions from "isolated cases"?

It's generally not appropriate to draw broad conclusions from "isolated cases". They should be considered exceptions rather than representative of a larger trend. Further investigation is needed to determine potential anomalies.

What is the difference between "isolated cases" and "common occurrences"?

"Isolated cases" refer to rare or infrequent events, while "common occurrences" imply that something happens frequently or is typical. It's crucial to distinguish between the two when analyzing data or situations.