limited instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "limited instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific, restricted occurrence or example of something. Example: "In this study, we will analyze a limited instance of consumer behavior during the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The administration is to be praised for supporting good health care for all women, even in this limited instance.

The New York Times

A limited instance of everyday human cognition is represented using a hybrid symbolic and probabilistic representation along with powerful automated inference solution algorithms.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Deutscher's book begins with a promise to demolish the intellectual clichés, and subvert glib anecdotal demonstrations of the way our mother tongue defines or limits our thought, and then confirms that in very limited instances, it almost certainly does shape the way we see the world.

The Guardian

It goes on to say, "However, the Commission does have enforcement responsibilities in certain limited instances".

The New York Times - Books

Indeed, Xerox's internal investigation "did find limited instances of exposed receivables in other countries," acknowledged Christa Carrone, a Xerox spokeswoman.

The New York Times

"Most private plans do not cover abortion services except in limited instances, but do cover family planning," Ms. Sebelius said.

The New York Times

And students repeatedly removed from the classroom for low-level offenses can still, in limited instances, be suspended.

The New York Times

"We have heard of limited instances where merchants have refused to accept Visa magnetic stripe cards, but by and large, the majority of Visa cards are seamlessly accepted internationally," she said.

The New York Times - Travel

"In the field, we have seen very limited instances of belt failure, but we don't know if the causes of those belt failures are related to the condition we discovered in the tests," she said, referring to the company's own high-speed testing.

The New York Times

Ms. Goodwin acknowledged a few weeks ago that there were some limited instances of inadvertent copying in her 1987 book, "The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys," and then appeared on the NewsHour to discuss the issue as well as similar problems plaguing another popular historian, Stephen E. Ambrose.

The New York Times

But, he wrote, in some limited instances, even "non-CEOs can also benefit from bending the rules".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "limited instance", ensure the context clearly defines what is being limited. Be specific about the constraints or boundaries of the instance to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "limited instance" when a more precise term would better describe the situation. For example, if you mean 'isolated case', use that instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limited instance" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It serves to specify a particular occurrence or example that is restricted or constrained in some way. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "limited instance" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a specific, restricted occurrence. Though not very common, as indicated by Ludwig AI, it appears across diverse fields like news, media, and science. It serves to specify a particular case that is restricted, and it is important to define the parameters of its limitations when using this phrase. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and to choose more descriptive alternatives, if applicable. This phrase can be used in neutral to formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Limited incident

Replaces "instance" with "incident", focusing on a specific event.

Narrow instance

Substitutes "limited" with "narrow", emphasizing the restricted scope of the example.

Limited example

Replaces "instance" with "example", providing a more common synonym.

Limited case

Substitutes "instance" with "case", focusing on a specific situation.

Limited occasion

Replaces "instance" with "occasion", denoting a specific time.

Limited circumstance

Substitutes "instance" with "circumstance", focusing on the conditions surrounding the situation.

Finite instance

Replaces "limited" with "finite", suggesting a quantifiable constraint.

Smallest instance

Implies the minimum conceivable occurrence.

Minor instance

Substitutes "limited" with "minor", emphasizing the reduced importance of the example.

Limiting instance

Replaces "limited" with "limiting", which is subtly different, but still works.

FAQs

How can I use "limited instance" in a sentence?

You can use "limited instance" to refer to a specific, restricted occurrence or example of something. For example: "This study examines a "limited instance" of consumer behavior during the pandemic".

What can I say instead of "limited instance"?

You can use alternatives like "limited example", "narrow instance", or "limited case" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "limited instance" or "isolated incident"?

The choice between "limited instance" and "isolated incident" depends on the context. "Limited instance" suggests a restricted or specific example, while "isolated incident" emphasizes that something happened only once and is not typical.

What is the difference between "limited instance" and "rare occurrence"?

"Limited instance" focuses on the confined nature of a situation, while "rare occurrence" highlights the infrequency of the event. The best choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.