number of instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "number of instances" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It refers to the quantity or amount of something that occurs or exists. Here are a few examples of how it can be used in a sentence: 1. "The number of instances of cyberattacks has been steadily increasing over the past decade." 2. "The study measured the number of instances of pollution in the river over a span of five years." 3. "There were a significant number of instances where the company's policies were not followed." 4. "The researchers found a correlation between the number of instances of procrastination and lower grades." 5. "The textbook provides a comprehensive list of the most common errors and their number of instances in student writing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

."? Tutwiler: We use this phrase in any number of instances...

The New York Times

In a number of instances, it has not worked out that well for them.

The New York Times - Sports

I can readily recall a disturbing number of instances of unnecessary care.

The New Yorker

Count IV represents the number of instances in primordial state, multiplied by a factor of 0.001.

Nature

There had been "inadequate and superficial reasoning and, in a number of instances, a wrong conclusion".

The Guardian

Retrieves the number of instances of the specified ChIPS error type.

Harvard University

get_error_count errors Retrieves the number of instances of the specified ChIPS error type.

Harvard University

get_error_count Retrieves the number of instances of the specified ChIPS error type.

Harvard University

In a number of instances, Ngram data suggest challenges to common assumptions about American literature.

The New York Times

In a number of instances he added frames with simple, geometric patterns roughly painted on them.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

GP: grouping; #: number of instances found in the Zv8 assembly.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "number of instances", ensure that the context clearly defines what constitutes an "instance". This will improve clarity and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "number of instances" when a more specific term like "frequency", "count", or "occurrences" would provide greater precision and clarity. Using a more tailored term enhances communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "number of instances" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It quantifies occurrences or examples of something. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

41%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "number of instances" is a versatile and commonly used term to quantify occurrences across various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It functions as a noun phrase and its purpose is to convey the frequency or quantity of events or situations. It is prevalent in news, scientific, and academic domains and therefore suitable for both neutral and formal communication. To ensure clarity, always define what constitutes an "instance" in the given context. Consider using synonyms like "frequency of occurrence" or "count of events" for a more nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frequency of occurrence

Focuses on how often something happens, emphasizing the rate at which instances occur.

count of events

Highlights the enumeration of specific events, suggesting a more discrete and defined set.

incidence rate

Commonly used in statistical or medical contexts to denote the rate at which new cases arise.

volume of cases

Emphasizes the magnitude or extent of cases, often implying a large quantity.

quantity of episodes

Suitable when referring to distinct episodes or occurrences, highlighting their aggregated amount.

tally of occurrences

Implies a careful accounting or record of specific instances, emphasizing accuracy in counting.

prevalence of situations

Indicates the widespread existence of certain situations, focusing on their commonality.

repetition frequency

Highlights the rate at which something repeats, relevant in contexts involving recurring actions.

accumulation of examples

Emphasizes the gathering or collection of examples, suggesting a growing number.

multiplicity of events

Stresses the diverse and numerous nature of events, suggesting complexity and variety.

FAQs

How can I use "number of instances" in a sentence?

You can use "number of instances" to describe how many times something occurs, such as "The "number of instances" of fraud increased this year".

What's a more formal alternative to "number of instances"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "frequency of occurrence" or "count of events" as alternatives to "number of instances".

Is it correct to say "amount of instances" instead of "number of instances"?

While "amount of" can refer to quantity, "number of instances" is more appropriate when referring to countable occurrences. "Amount of" is better suited for uncountable nouns.

How does "number of instances" differ from "number of cases"?

"Number of cases" typically refers to specific events or situations under consideration, while "number of instances" can refer more broadly to any occurrence or example.