isolated instances of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "isolated instances of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific, separate occurrences of a particular event or phenomenon, often implying that these occurrences are not part of a larger pattern. Example: "The study revealed isolated instances of the disease in the population, suggesting that it may not be widespread."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

There have been isolated instances of customer protest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since 2003, isolated instances of anti-Semitic violence in the country have claimed 12 lives.

The Washington Post

Further, the campaign denounced isolated instances of Clinton's staffers questioning whether Obama was Muslim.

The Washington Post

"These appear to be isolated instances of misconduct," he said.

The New York Times

There have been further isolated instances of violence despite the coup attempt having officially been declared over.

The Guardian

As a New York Times poll on race suggested last week, these are not isolated instances of social interaction.

The New York Times

None of the information supported Trump's claim of "millions" of illegal votes, just isolated instances of voting irregularities.

The Washington Post

As in the instance with the Iowa volunteer coordinator, the campaign denounced isolated instances of Clinton's staffers questioning whether Obama was Muslim.

The Washington Post

They said no evidence presented to them so far seemed to constitute anything more than isolated instances of the failure of the department's disciplinary system.

The New York Times

Ferguson was a spark that turned isolated instances of activism into a national conversation and produced numerous examples of partnerships between advocates and decision-makers.

The Guardian - Opinion

The government, moreover, has only had isolated instances of abuse.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "isolated instances of something", ensure the context clearly indicates that these occurrences are not representative of a larger trend or pattern. This helps to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid presenting "isolated instances of something" as evidence of a widespread problem. Always provide sufficient context to prevent readers from exaggerating the importance of these infrequent occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "isolated instances of something" functions as a qualifier, specifying that certain events or occurrences are not widespread or representative. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and emphasizes the separation of specific events.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "isolated instances of something" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe infrequent and separate occurrences. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, the phrase has limited examples in the provided data, indicating its rarity or specific usage. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity to avoid misinterpretations of wider patterns. Alternatives include "sporadic occurrences" and "infrequent cases", offering similar nuances. This phrase is best used to downplay significance and maintain a neutral tone in various communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sporadic occurrences of something

Replaces "isolated instances" with "sporadic occurrences", emphasizing the scattered and infrequent nature of the events.

infrequent cases of something

Substitutes "isolated instances" with "infrequent cases", highlighting the low frequency of the events.

occasional examples of something

Replaces "isolated instances" with "occasional examples", focusing on the rarity and exemplification of the events.

rare instances of something

Emphasizes the scarcity of the events by using "rare instances" instead of "isolated instances".

uncommon occurrences of something

Highlights the unusual nature of the events by using "uncommon occurrences".

scattered incidents of something

Focuses on the dispersed nature of the events by using "scattered incidents".

seldom seen cases of something

Replaces "isolated instances" with "seldom seen cases", stressing the infrequency of witnessing the events.

infrequent appearances of something

Highlights the rare visibility of the events by using "infrequent appearances".

odd examples of something

Stresses the unusual nature of the events by using "odd examples" instead of "isolated instances".

one-off cases of something

Highlights the uniqueness and non-recurring nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "isolated instances of something" in a sentence?

You can use "isolated instances of something" to refer to specific, separate occurrences of a particular event or phenomenon that are not part of a larger pattern. For example: "The report highlighted isolated instances of fraud, but overall the system was secure."

What can I say instead of "isolated instances of something"?

You can use alternatives like "sporadic occurrences of something", "infrequent cases of something", or "occasional examples of something" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "isolated instances of something" or "isolated instance of something"?

"Isolated instances of something" is used when referring to multiple, separate occurrences, while "isolated instance of something" is used when referring to a single, unique occurrence. Choose the form that matches the number of occurrences you are describing.

What's the difference between "isolated instances of something" and "rare events of something"?

While both phrases denote infrequent occurrences, "isolated instances of something" emphasizes the separation and distinctness of each occurrence, whereas "rare events of something" simply emphasizes their infrequency.